72 hours for US ESTA, new requirement

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Hvr

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Previously travellers could get a US ESTA virtually instantly. You must now allow at least 72 hours.

A statement on the US Customs and Border Protection ESTA application site reads:

"REMINDER: Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States. Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding."

I know at least one high profile poster here on AFF has done an instant ESTA but no more. I can only imagine the screaming from pax at check in lines when refused travel.
 
I know at least one high profile poster here on AFF has done an instant ESTA but no more. I can only imagine the screaming from pax at check in lines when refused travel.
And was still refused travel after applying and getting ESTA.

Surprising to receive email earlier this year that particular ESTA was expiring. Was going to reply if I can have refund as that ESTA was never used. ;)
 
And was still refused travel after applying and getting ESTA.

Surprising to receive email earlier this year that particular ESTA was expiring. Was going to reply if I can have refund as that ESTA was never used. ;)

No matter where we are in the world John, it is hard to win an argument against the beaurocracy....
 
No matter where we are in the world John, it is hard to win an argument against the beaurocracy....
Especially when you front up at the airport to check in on a mistake super cheap discounted fare without actually having applied for an ESTA.

Thanks for the reminder @Hvr, I'm off to the USA next week and your post had me make the effort to double check my ESTA is still current. It is :).
 
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Stories about last minute "saves" at the airport aside, it's always been said that it might take 72 hours - why would you ever risk leaving it to the last minute knowingly?
 
72 hours is pretty good service. Like passport validity .... don’t ignore and then blame others.
 
The number of people who arrive without securing an ESTA is really astounding. Real time approval helped, but not in every case obviously. Many times watched people frantically tapping away on their phones or laptops at 04:30 in the morning trying to get an ESTA to beat check-in closure for the first flight to SYD to connect to LAX....be prepared...

I always wondered what the correlation would be between passengers who do not secure an ESTA in time and those who travel without travel insurance. On the high side would be my guess.
 
I usually apply for my ESTA when I start booking non refundable stuff so this new rule won't affect me ;) The main trap is not entering your passport number accurately on the ESRA application!
 
I detest the experience of arrival in the few USA airports I go through - and do so now very infrequently. But the ESTA system is great. The only flaw is that it is so simple that you fall into the trap of remembering to renew. The cost and ease of it is IMHO actually great.
 
With my 10 year B1/B2 USA visa, I think I'm going to end up ahead :). They are reading these electronically at some airports now. :D
 
I don't think the ESTA system is all that clear though, especially for people who haven't travelled much.
 
I don't think the ESTA system is all that clear though, especially for people who haven't travelled much.

Remember this applies for the Yanks wanting to visit Oz (in reverse)
Just wandering
Fred
 
The main trap is not entering your passport number accurately on the ESRA application!
The main trap is people ticketing yes on the "are you a terrorist" question by mistake.
 
Remember this applies for the Yanks wanting to visit Oz (in reverse)
Just wandering

I would have to admit that the better part of 45 years travelling the world in a couple of gilded cages hasn't prepared me for the rather silly intricacies that various border authorities inflict.
 
Is the US better now with new passports? Seem to remember that the new Oz passport raised concerns when Trump came in.
 
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