ESTA

[Disney Frenhines]

I just received an email telling me that my ESTA is about to run out and it needs to be renewed. I found this a bit odd as I only renewed it 18 months ago and ESTAs are supposed to last 2 years, also, this was the first time I've ever had an email telling me I need to renew my ESTA. Naturally I didn't click on the link in the email (never, ever do that) Has anyone else received a similar email at all? I'm still uncertain as to whether it is genuine or a scam.

 

[Realfoodfans]

As long as it’s in date your ESTA is valid.

It could be genuine though we’ve never received a reminder - but advice is to always go directly to the ESTA website.

 

[csimon]

I've never had an email either. My current ESTA expires at the end of this December.

 

[Aprilshack]

I just received an email telling me that my ESTA is about to run out and it needs to be renewed. I found this a bit odd as I only renewed it 18 months ago and ESTAs are supposed to last 2 years, also, this was the first time I've ever had an email telling me I need to renew my ESTA. Naturally I didn't click on the link in the email (never, ever do that) Has anyone else received a similar email at all? I'm still uncertain as to whether it is genuine or a scam.

Is your passport about to expire?

 

[Plague]

I only renewed it 18 months ago

I'd be a bit suspicious.

My previous one expired in April and I got an e-mail from dhs.gov on 10 March (one month before expiry) warning me.

This was the text:
"ATTENTION! The travel authorization submitted on Apr 9, 2018 via ESTA will expire within the next 30 days. It is not possible to extend or renew a current ESTA travel authorization. You will need to apply for a new ESTA travel authorization. Please reapply at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov if travel to the United States is intended in the near future. If there are 30 or more days left on the old authorization you will receive a warning message during the application and be asked if you wish to proceed.

E-mail Security: If you are concerned about clicking the above link, ESTA can be accessed by typing https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov in the address bar of your browser."

6 months notice seems excessive, but with Covid-19 afoot things may have been changed, or just messed up. (You didn't do it through a third party service did you?)

 

[GirlDreamer]

I got an email warning a month before mine expired. It was sent on July 3rd for an August 2nd expiration.

 

[iris1910]

I always get an email a month before expiry warning me to renew. This was my third ESTA where I received a reminder.

 

[finchy3]

I've always received a reminder.

 

[Aprilshack]

I receieved a reminder earlier this month as my passport expires next month.