How long does it take to do the ESTA?

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Roughly, please? My family have asked me to do it and I am in the middle of completing my last university assignment and revising for my exams so I need to set time aside.

 

[Disbabe]

We are a family of 5 - didn't take me long to do as had the passports and holiday details to hand. There's not much info to complete.

 

[gilld]

About 2 minutes per person.

 

[T16GEM]

How far in advance would you suggest doing it?

 

[Dimplenose]

How far in advance would you suggest doing it?

You only need to do it 3 days before you travel but I did mine at 3 months so I'd have time to apply for a visa if I was rejected (no reason I should be rejected but I'm an eternal pessimist).

Our acceptance was instant, by the way.

 

[Disbabe]

I should just advise people. We did our ESTA through the department of homeland security. I have looked at some UK websites for registering ESTA and they are making charges - some £20 per application and another was charging $45 per application. I didn't pay anything - so some people are making money out of this!

 

[gilld]

Remember you need to update it each time you go so keep the Authorisation Number(s)

 

[T16GEM]

Thanks guys! I didn't realise that you had to update everytime either, we didn't have to do it this year when we went so I guess I'm and Esta Virgin! ha ha

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Thanks for replying everyone!

 

[samjae]

do you need to print out any forms,I done mine online and have nothing to show for it now,I have also mislaid my authorization nos.,does it make any difference

 

[Marie9LPG]

We did ours last November & went to New York in Feb. Went on today to check/amend details for our upcoming trip to find they had expired!!!!!
I had thought they were valid for multiple trips until their expiration date.

Felt VERY sick until got new ones done.
For the OP, only takes a few mins per form & instant verification.Marie

 

[ford family]

Remember you need to update it each time you go so keep the Authorisation Number(s)

I understood the trip information was voluntary so there is no requirement to update it each trip.

ford family

 

[tink too]

do you need to print out any forms,I done mine online and have nothing to show for it now,I have also mislaid my authorization nos.,does it make any difference

You can print out your forms when your registration is complete. I did because I'm an obsessive keeper of forms , but the website said it wasn't a requirement. I also noted our authorisation numbers in case I mislaid the print-outs.

We travelled to WDW in April and we were never even asked if we'd completed the ESTA stuff - we still had to do the white and green forms on the plane as well.

 

[minimandymouse]

I should just advise people. We did our ESTA through the department of homeland security. I have looked at some UK websites for registering ESTA and they are making charges - some £20 per application and another was charging $45 per application. I didn't pay anything - so some people are making money out of this!

could you give me the site address for this please