Esta application,anyone applied lately I’m panicking

stephen25uk

Hey folks

I booked a last minute holiday away to Newyork for a few days for next Thursday, I applied for an Esta last night and it’s current status is authorisation pending.
I’ve googled a bit and a few sites are saying Esta applications aren’t being processed due to the government shutdown in the USA whil other sites say the shutdown doesn’t affect estas.
I’m panicking a bit now and worried I won’t get a response for the Esta intime for next Thursday the 17th.
Has anyone applied for an Esta lately and been ok or can anyone shed any light on anything for me.
Like I’ve said I’m panicking big time now!!

newuser86

Just check the status again. You should be fine before the 17th...

agrinnall

newuser86 wrote: »

Just check the status again. You should be fine before the 17th...

I think that's optimistic, unless you are a secret adviser to POTUS. While I wouldn't normally cite The Sun this does seem to back up the OP's findings and suggests that if an ESTA is not already held it could be difficult to get entry to the USA until the shutdown has been resolved.


https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/8069030/government-shutdown-brits-esta/

gettingtheresometime

Thought you shouldn't expect a response for 3 days now?

stephen25uk

It does say in the website than an instant decision couldn’t be made and a response will be given within 72hrs, I applied for my own ESTA in November and got a decision straight away ( this is my partners application)it’s also a birthday present I saved up to buy her to go to Newyork
Has anyone applied for an ESTA lately and got one ok?, right now I’m feeling gutted if it’s true due to the government shutdown

Mr.Generous

last time we went - 2017 - my wife's came through straight away but mine was deferred and I worried. It came through ok, but on arrival in the USA the machine declined my passport and we had to queue up and see a customs officer. More panic for nothing. Don't worry too much about it, they want tourist money from visitors.

EssexExile

They don't do instant any more. Don't panic, for a couple of days at least.

shaun_from_Africa

As an ESTA application is an automated process and applications aren't dealt with by a human then it shouldn't suffer too badly due to the partial government shutdowns. It's only if there is a problem with the website and there's no one to sort it out that your ESTA would be delayed.

The 72 hour wait is now standard as instant ESTA issuance has now been stopped.

stephen25uk

Many thanks for all the replies guys, hopefully everything goes through ok and it just takes a bit of time over the next day or so

Mr.Generous

I don't know if its still the same BTW, but on flights to the USA at least one person from each party has to check in at the airport, the online check in wouldn't work for me and I had another panic. I rang travel agent in the morning and they told me the above, wish they had it on website as I had a worried night due to ESTA … err … well something that gave me a concern although I have nothing to hide the innocent can and do get arrested from time to time, and although you know its all cleared up with no police action whatsoever the ESTA application doesn't make any distinction between arrest, charge and conviction. I'm only telling you so you wont worry if you cant all check in online.

stephen25uk

Hi folks


Just a quick message to say that the ESTA came through as approved last night so everything is all good, many thanks for all of your replies and help