ESTA down for over 1 week

[Gold Member]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.ESTA may be unavailable on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 8:25PM to 9:00PM Eastern Standard Time. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please check back at a later time.
For the most current information on ESTA, please visit www.CBP.gov/esta.


I'm travelling Stateside early April and I can't renew my ESTA. Its been down for a week since I first tried on Feb 29th! I know they've got maintenance and other such things to do, but down for a whole week! What about those people that have left it to the last minute and really really need one right now. Maybe 'The Donald' has something to do with this.... Worst case my processing at Immigration takes a bit longer if not completed before arrival?

 

[Comoman]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.ESTA may be unavailable on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 8:25PM to 9:00PM Eastern Standard Time. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please check back at a later time.
For the most current information on ESTA, please visit www.CBP.gov/esta.



I'm travelling Stateside early April and I can't renew my ESTA. Its been down for a week since I first tried on Feb 29th! I know they've got maintenance and other such things to do, but down for a whole week! What about those people that have left it to the last minute and really really need one right now. Maybe 'The Donald' has something to do with this.... Worst case my processing at Immigration takes a bit longer if not completed before arrival?

I've just logged in and checked my ESTA so it's working fine here. Maybe clear your cache?

 

[opusman]

Working here, lets me start a new application.

Do not try to travel without an ESTA. It won't mean longer processing when you get there, it will mean you won't be allowed to board the flight in the first place.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
I'm travelling Stateside early April and I can't renew my ESTA. Its been down for a week since I first tried on Feb 29th!

There wasn't a Feb 29th this year maybe that's the problem.

 

[juddles]

....but down for a whole week! What about those people that have left it to the last minute and really really need one right now. Maybe 'The Donald' has something to do with this......

If someone "really really" needs to travel to a foreign country and gets upset because they cant get an amazingly cheap and simple visa at the last minute, they really really need to get real :/

 

[Boca68]

There wasn't a Feb 29th this year maybe that's the problem.

If someone "really really" needs to travel to a foreign country and gets upset because they cant get an amazingly cheap and simple visa at the last minute, they really really need to get real :/

A little of each of these and besides, a ESTA is only required to be completed 72 hours (I think?) before departure. A little early to be hitting the panic button, don't you think?

I have to renew mine, due to a new passport. So, upon reading this, did so. No problems at my end? Should be working for you Gold Member?

 

[Gold Member]

I've just logged in and checked my ESTA so it's working fine here. Maybe clear your cache?

Bah, I should've known this, thanks. Working fine now.

MODS, feel free to delete this thread other than a sheepish looking Gold Member and a new calendar entry for this year.

 

[Spongbob]

A little of each of these and besides, a ESTA is only required to be completed 72 hours (I think?) before departure. A little early to be hitting the panic button, don't you think?

The ESTA response can take up to 72 hours, so I think it is very risky to leave the application / renewal to the last few days before departure.

 

[andye]

Thanks for the reminder-it was very tedious to do 5 almost identical ESTAs last night. Must have been why I was subconsciously putting it off

 

[Spongbob]

Yes andye, ESTA applications require careful reading of each question and consideration for each response. One misreading of a question and an incorrect response can result in a rejection (especially for the criminal history and medical questions).

So I can understand why you might delay making applications.

 

[Cynicor]

Probably that lousy Smarch weather ;P

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The ESTA response can take up to 72 hours, so I think it is very risky to leave the application / renewal to the last few days before departure.

I've only seen one example of someone not able to get an ESTA on the spot at the airport.

The guy was a dual national with NZ & AU but travelling on hus AU passport.

The problem was he put his nationality as NZ but AU passport number so the ESTA was issued to a non-existent NZ PP.

When he did a new application correctly with AU as the nationity and the AU passport the application was stuck on pending as the ESTA payment system was down so it couldn't be approved straight away.

The guy ESTA wasn't able to take the flight and had to be moved to the next day.

 

[Gold Member]

travelling on hus AU passport

Kiwi accent could have been the problem?

 

[Spongbob]

Kiwi accent could have been the problem?

Shirley nut (or something like that).