ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an online system used by travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to request authorization to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit for stays of 90 days or less. An approved ESTA allows you to board a carrier to the U.S.A., but final admission is decided by U.S.A. Customs and Border Protection.
Typically, an approved ESTA is valid for multiple short trips over a period of two years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever happens first. Each visit under the VWP is limited to 90 days or less. ESTA validity does not extend permitted stay beyond 90 days.
An ESTA is not a visa. It is a travel authorization for visitors from VWP countries for short stays. A U.S.A. visa (e.g., B1/B2, student, work visas) is a different document that may allow longer stays or specific purposes. If you already hold a valid U.S.A. visa, you do not need ESTA for travel under that visa.
Payments must be made online using a debit/credit card or PayPal. The commonly accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Your application will only be submitted for processing after successful payment.
Filling the online form typically takes about 15–30 minutes, depending on how quickly you can provide passport and travel details. Most applicants receive a decision within minutes, but some cases can take up to 72 hours for review.
We receive many inquiries daily. If you haven't received a reply yet, your message is likely in the queue. Please check your spam/junk folder and ensure you used the correct email. If your query is about an application in process, we will contact you as soon as there is an update. For urgent issues, include your application number and passport details when you write to us.
No, you do not need an ESTA if you already have a valid U.S.A. visa. Travelers holding a valid visa can enter the United States for the purpose stated on that visa. ESTA is only required for travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa.
An approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States. It only authorizes you to travel to a U.S.A. port of entry. The final decision regarding your admission is made by U.S.A. Customs and Border Protection officers after you arrive in the country.
You should apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your planned departure. Although many applications are approved within minutes, some may require additional time for review. Applying early ensures you avoid any last-minute travel delays.
If your ESTA application is denied, you will not be able to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. In that case, you must apply for a visa at a U.S.A. Embassy or Consulate. ESTA denials cannot be appealed or reconsidered.
You are not required to print your ESTA approval since it is stored electronically and accessible to airlines. However, keeping a printed or digital copy is recommended for your own convenience, especially if you may need to reference your authorization number.
ESTA cannot be renewed or extended. If your ESTA expires, you must submit a new application.
You may reapply anytime, even before the current ESTA expires. If the system detects an existing valid ESTA, your new application will automatically replace the old one after payment.
Once approved, a new ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. You may use it multiple times for travel to the United States.
If your ESTA is not approved, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, you may still apply for a visa.
You can visit the U.S.A. Department of State website to apply for a **non-immigrant visa**, which may allow you to travel to the United States even if your ESTA was denied.
An ESTA denial cannot be appealed or reviewed by any court.
No. U.S.A. authorities do not provide specific reasons for ESTA denials.
Reasons may include security concerns, travel history, passport issues, or ineligibility under the Visa Waiver Program.
You may submit an inquiry through the DHS TRIP system, but this does not guarantee that the ESTA denial will be reversed.
The U.S.A. Embassy or Consulate cannot explain ESTA denials, but they can process a visa application if you wish to travel.
Your partially completed ESTA application is saved for **7 days**.
If you do not complete and submit the application within this time, it will be automatically deleted.
An applicant can update the Passport Issuance Date or Passport Expiration Date as long as the application has not been paid for. If an applicant enters the wrong Passport Issuance Date or Passport Expiration Date after having paid for the ESTA application, the traveler will need to re-apply for a new travel authorization. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted. The previous application will be canceled.
Prior to submitting an ESTA application, you can update all application data fields. However, once an application is approved, you can only update the following fields:
If you obtain a new passport or there is a change to your passport information, you must apply for a new travel authorization and pay the associated fees. See "What information can I update?" for a full listing of information that can be changed after submission of your application.
A new travel authorization may be required in any of the following circumstances:
Travel authorization approvals will typically be granted for a period of two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. ESTA will provide validity dates upon approval of the application. Therefore, a traveler must apply for a new travel authorization when a prior ESTA authorization or an applicant’s passport expires. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
Information submitted through the ESTA website is handled under strict privacy rules similar to other traveler-screening programs. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and access is limited to authorized personnel who have a legitimate professional need to view it (for example, CBP officers and other designated Department of Homeland Security staff). Use and disclosure follow legal requirements and internal controls to protect privacy.
ESTA application data remains active for the life of an approved ESTA (generally two years) or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. After that period, DHS retains the data for an additional year before archiving it. Archived information can be retained for retrieval (for law enforcement, national security, or investigatory purposes) for up to twelve years.
In cases where ESTA data replaces the older paper I-94W form, retention rules for the I-94W may apply (longer retention for records used in enforcement or historical purposes). If an application is linked to an enforcement action or investigation, related records may be retained for the duration of those activities.
Yes. Credit card details used to pay the ESTA fee are processed securely and are not retained by the ESTA system after the transaction completes.
Payment transmissions use strong encryption (for example AES-256) and industry-standard payment processing controls. The system does not store your card number, expiry date, or CVV after payment is processed.
ESTA data is protected by DHS privacy policies, technical safeguards, and access controls. Only authorized staff with a documented need-to-know may access application information. Data handling is governed by federal privacy laws and internal DHS rules to minimize unnecessary disclosure.
ESTA (under the Visa Waiver Program) is NOT a substitute for a visa in the following common situations:
If any of the above apply, you must apply for the appropriate non-immigrant visa at a U.S.A. Embassy or Consulate. ESTA eligibility requires citizenship of a Visa Waiver Program country and meeting the VWP conditions — if you are unsure, consult the official U.S.A. government guidance or contact a visa expert.
