Get an ESTA for US travel
How to pay no more than the $21 fee
Everyone from the UK going to the USA, or just passing through, must fill out an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form in advance. There's heightened security at the border, so it's crucial to ensure your travel docs are in order. This guide explains what an ESTA is, how to get it, what to be wary of and how to avoid paying more than the official $21-per-person fee.
Ready to get your ESTA? The guide below explains how ESTAs work and what to watch out for. But if you’re ready to get your ESTA now, apply via the official ESTA website.
What's ESTA?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is an online system that tells you in advance whether you're eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
It replaced the old system of filling out a green I-94W piece of paper on a plane into the US. With that method, you'd only find out on arrival if US security decided you weren't eligible.
Now travellers have to complete an ESTA and know in advance whether they qualify to travel or not, minimising the possible loss of plane fares, hotels and more.
ESTA approval doesn't guarantee you entry
It's important to understand successfully applying for an ESTA doesn't mean you're automatically allowed to enter the USA. It just establishes that you're 'eligible to travel'.
Only a US Customs and Border Protection officer at the point of entry can decide whether you're actually allowed in or not. He or she may decide that you don't fit the criteria after all. It's completely at their discretion.
Although this sounds scary, horror stories of being denied entry (unless you failed to declare a criminal record) are still relatively rare.
Warning: There's heightened security at the border, so ensure your docs are in order. The Trump administration has tightened up immigration enforcement across the US, so double check all your documents are in order and complete everything in good time before setting off.
Check the latest UK Foreign Office advice before travelling. It says: "You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules."
Most people going to the States WILL need to fill out an ESTA form. If you haven't, even if you're only meant to be in transit, you may be denied boarding or can even be sent straight back home. See Who should complete the ESTA for more info.
Of course, some people DO need a visa instead of an ESTA, for example if they're staying in the US for more than 90 days or working. In that case see the US Embassy website for the rules and full help.
You must fill out an ESTA application online, which means those without web access will need to find a friend, relative or colleague to help. Once you've done it, make sure you keep a note of your reference number somewhere safe. Better still, print the authorisation page (see How to complete an ESTA).
All accepted applications have a fee of $21 each ($4 if you're rejected). That's $84 (around £64) for a family of four.
Ensure you pay with the right piece of plastic to avoid being charged a foreign exchange 'load' fee on top by your bank. See Pay with the right card for more info.
When Googling ESTA, be warned you may be directed to sites that pretend to be the official web page and charge you an additional fee to process your application. Always use the official ESTA site. See Copycat Sites for more on this.
Your ESTA is valid for two years from the date you application is approved or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you're unsure if you're still covered, check when yours expires on the ESTA website.
You MUST complete an ESTA, even if passing through
You can only fill it out online
It costs $21 - ensure you pay the cheapest way
Watch out for copycat ESTA sites
You need to renew after two years
Have you travelled to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen? You might need to apply for a visa. Even if you have a British passport, if you've travelled to these countries since 1 March 2011 (since 12 January 2021 for Cuba), you'll need to contact the US Customs and Border Agency to check.
Pay the $21 fee with the right plastic
ESTA applications now have a $21 fee attached to them – that's $84 for a family of four.
Four dollars covers the ESTA administration and, rather bizarrely, $17 goes to a fund to promote US tourism – ironic as perhaps a better way to promote US tourism would be not to charge people who want to visit.
This isn’t a visa charge for entry, it’s a charge for getting permission to attempt to enter the country.
Avoid foreign exchange card fees
The system accepts payment via PayPal, MasterCard, Visa and American Express. If your ESTA's rejected, you'll still be charged $4 (the admin fee) for applying.
Most of these types of plastic contain hidden charges, such as adding a 'load' onto the exchange rate when spending, and even charging interest from the moment you make a transaction.
You can beat this by using a specialist foreign spending card that won't penalise you. For all the current top cards, see our Travel Credit Card guide.
How to apply for an ESTA
Just before booking flights or accommodation, the very first thing to do is to apply for your permit to travel, just in case you're rejected or forget nearer the time of the journey. This minimises the risk of losing flight or hotel money.
Simply visit the US Department of Homeland Security’s ESTA page. The instructions are available in a choice of languages, but your responses must be in English. It’s far from a slick website, so pay careful attention as you complete each page. It should only take about five minutes.
You’ll be asked for your UK contact details, including passport number and expiry, plus the address where you're staying in the States.
The latter can be added or amended at a later time, but approximate info is often sufficient. For a full list of what you'll need to provide and help on how to answer the questions, go to the US Department of Homeland Security.
You may be told within seconds if your application has been accepted or rejected. Otherwise, you'll be asked to check your application status later, as a decision can take up to 72 hours.
An ESTA lasts for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Once it runs out, you'll need to apply for a new one. See the ESTA feedback thread for past application experiences.
Make sure you print the page or note the reference number
Although you don’t need to present the reference number at Border Protection when you land on US soil, print or screenshot it and bring it to the airport. That's because some airlines may require the printout upon check-in, so check with yours. The application number should be in your confirmation email.
However, if you do lose it, it's possible to get it back on the ESTA website. Click 'Check ESTA status' and enter your name, passport number and date of birth. This is also a handy way to check if you're still covered by a previous ESTA, as the site will also tell you when your ESTA expires.
Avoid copycat websites
Watch out for websites demanding a fee for the ESTA. Search the internet for ‘ESTA’ and you’ll discover many that claim to submit an application on your behalf.
Not only will you be paying money unnecessarily, you can't be certain it'll be a legit submission and acceptance, so you may still get turned away when you get to the US.
The US Department for Homeland Security says it can’t stop this. The easiest thing to remember is: use the link in this guide and it's the official route.
Don't risk travelling without it
If you haven't completed the ESTA before travelling, or you did but were declined, you may not be allowed to board your outbound flight.
It's worth remembering that anyone can apply for ESTA on your behalf and, although the Department of Homeland Security recommends giving at least 72 hours for a decision to be made, it often only takes seconds.
Of course, if you're rejected, you'll lose the cost of your flights and any associated expenses such as hotel bookings and car hire (if they're non-refundable), as insurance providers will almost certainly not cover you for this.
What if my ESTA is rejected?
Travellers denied an ESTA should apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy. They'll still be charged a $4 admin fee for the rejected ESTA application. Visit the US Department of State website for more info on visas.
Other things to consider
You need to fill one in:
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If you're a citizen of one of the 41 countries which are part of the US's Visa Waver Program. The UK is - see the US Department of Homeland Security's website for a list.
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If you don't have a US visitor's visa.
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If you won't stay in the US for longer than 90 days.
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If you're only travelling to the States for business or pleasure.
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If you have a return or onward bound ticket.
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On behalf of all infants and children.
If you don't qualify for an ESTA and need a visa, for example if you're staying in the US for longer than 90 days or will be working there, see the US Embassy website for full help.
If you've got an ESTA already but have lost the reference number, you can check this on the ESTA website. There's no fee - just select 'Check ESTA status' and put in your passport details and date of birth.
This is also a handy way to check if you're still covered by a previous ESTA, as the site will also tell you when it expires.
If you've lost your passport, it was stolen or it's significantly damaged and must be replaced, your new passport will have a new number. So, you must apply for a new ESTA.
If you're renewing your passport, your ESTA will have the same expiry date (if it hasn't expired already) so you'll have to reapply with the new passport number too.
As Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands are governed by the US, you need ESTA before travelling to them too.
You'll also need one if travelling to Hawaii or Alaska - which, while far-flung, are both US states.
Who's eligible and who needs an ESTA
Lost your reference number?
Get a new passport, get a new ESTA
You need an ESTA if travelling to Puerto Rico, Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands
For more tricks to save also see 60+ Overseas Travel Tips.
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