How Long Does ESTA Take Before it is Approved?
How Long Does An ESTA Take To Process? The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, is a government requirement for those traveling to the United States by air. If you have never used ESTA before, the process can seem lengthy and confusing. In this article, we will walk you through the basics of how ESTA works and what to expect when applying.
Table of Contents
What is ESTA?
ESTA is an acronym for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA is a government-issued authorization that allows travelers to travel to the United States without having to obtain a visa in advance. You can apply for ESTA online or through a travel agency. The application process typically takes about two weeks to complete. Once you’ve applied, you’ll need to provide your passport number, name, email address, contact information (including telephone number), and dates of travel. You may also be required to upload copies of your flight itinerary and hotel reservations.
Once your ESTA application is approved, you’ll receive an email notification containing instructions on how to complete your trip. Make sure you have all the required documents ready before traveling to the United States. If you encounter any problems while applying for or traveling with ESTA, please don’t hesitate to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423).
How long does it usually take for ESTA to be approved?
The ESTA approval process typically takes between two and four weeks, but can occasionally take up to eight weeks.
Some factors that can affect the approval process for ESTA
-The validity of the visa application
-Whether the applicant has a criminal record
-The applicant’s travel itinerary
-The type of visa requested
-The applicant’s immigration status in the United States
-The date of application
-Any additional information provided by the applicant, such as letters of invitation or proof of financial support
What to do if your ESTA application is rejected
If your ESTA application is rejected, there are a few things you can do:
– Check the Status of Your ESTA Application on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. This will tell you what steps the DHS is taking to process your application.
– Contact the DHS office that processed your application. They may have been able to help you resolve any issues with your application.
– Request a review of your ESTA application. This option is available if you believe that there was an error in your application that should have been caught by DHS. You will need to submit documentation supporting your request and pay a fee.
Conclusion
If you are traveling to the United States, and plan on staying for more than six months, you will need to apply for a U.S. visa. This process can take up to several weeks, so keep that in mind if your trip is already scheduled and you want to ensure that your ESTA application is processed as quickly as possible.
