You’re ready to travel to the USA and you just need to submit your ESTA application to ensure you’re compliant with American authorities. Once you’ve filled out the online form and paid the processing fee, all that’s left is to wait for the response to your ESTA application. But do you know what the possible responses are? That’s what we’ll explore in this article.
ESTA application approved: the desired response
Approval is obviously the response to the ESTA application that everyone hopes for. It confirms that you are authorized to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA authorization is then linked to your biometric passport (or electronic passport). You are not required to print it, as it will not be requested either at the airport (or port) or when passing through customs. Verification of its obtainment is done simultaneously with the verification of your valid passport.
To enter American soil with an ESTA authorization, the trip to the United States must not exceed 90 days and must be for tourism or business purposes. Entering American territory with an ESTA for the purpose of working, studying, or doing an internship is not permitted. The duration of the stay will also be verified: make sure your departure ticket reflects this reality: a round-trip ticket within the allotted time or a continuation ticket to your final destination in case of transit.
ESTA application pending: the temporary response
Generally, a final response to the ESTA application is given almost instantly. However, it may happen that this is not the case and your application is pending.
The electronic systems processing your application will issue a response within 72 hours, which is the response time guaranteed by the American authorities. So wait three days before visiting the official U.S. government website to check the response to your authorization request. Remember to have your passport and application number ready. If you don’t know this number, enter your passport number, its issue date and expiration date, your country, and your date of birth instead. Another possibility: the response is sent to you by email if the ESTA application was made on a private website.
ESTA application denied: the dreaded response
If the response to your ESTA authorization request is no, it means you are not eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program.
Several solutions are possible to address this situation. If you think this refusal is due to an error on your part when filling out the ESTA form, you can submit a new application. The process is the same as for your first application. If no error was made, you must apply for a USA visa as you are not eligible for the visa waiver program. To apply for a visa, you must first fill out the online DS-160 form, then obtain an appointment at the American embassy to meet with one of the consular agents.
