Can you travel earlier than date entered on ESTA

theonematt

We applied for ESTAs months ago, but wish to travel a day earlier than the date we entered we would be travelling on the ESTA. Does the ESTA activate the date we applied or the first date of travel we entered on the form?

Thanks.

stevie11

If the Esta was approved at the time of apllying then I don't think there will be a problem. If if it was approved 2 months ago then you have a valid Esta for 2 years from that date.

bradders1983

Surely the expiry date of it yields a clue. Is it two years from when you applied for it, or 2 years from when you are travelling?

HogMan

An Esta is valid for 2 years from the date of approval or till the date of the expiry of the passport whichever is sooner. The nominal date of travel is immaterial.

headpin

If you want to you can go in to the ESTA travel information and change it if you want. But only the details of where you are staying, not the date of travel. But is not necessary.

However, an ESTA as indicated previously is valid for travel as many times as you want during its validity. That is 2 years from the date of issue (normally the day that you apply and pay the $14) or the date that your Passport expires, whichever is the earlier.

So, do not worry about when you travel so long as you have a valid ESTA. And, an ESTA is just an authorisation to travel to the US, it does not guarantee entry. That will he decided by the Immigration Border officer at your point of arrival.