Help! ESTA Visa went from Approved to Pending after holiday flights booked

Velli

• March 2nd ESTA approved
• March 4th flights booked to USA for May 22nd-May 30th
• Today March 11th ESTA changed to 'pending'

Currently there is a 4 hour waiting queue to speak to Virgin Airlines and I dont know what to do? Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

SweetPotatoPie

Did you answer all the questions honestly? Virgin airlines won’t be able to help with your ESTA. Have you tried logging out of the system and then back in? 

It’s very strange to change from approved to pending. 

Did you print off a copy of the ESTA when it said approved? 

Caz3121

not sure what the benefit of contacting the airline would be. Given that you are not travelling for 10 weeks, I would wait another week or so and see if it changes..

jonesMUFCforever

I disagree with Caz on this one - it must be very stressful having booked flights thinking everything was ok with the ESTA only to find it is now pending. If it is not approved then the OP would need to book an appointment at the US embassy to get one (or lose the holiday and the cost of it). So time is of the essence especially if public offices/places are shut down in the near future.

The only thing I find a bit odd - I have never double checked the state of my ESTA's - once approved I print it off and keep it for peace of mind - it would never occur to me to check again - perhaps I should for forthcoming trips to USA.
I wonder if the OP did actually put something down that was not 100% true or accurate?
Let's hope he updates us.

Velli

jonesMUFCforever said:

I disagree with Caz on this one - it must be very stressful having booked flights thinking everything was ok with the ESTA only to find it is now pending. If it is not approved then the OP would need to book an appointment at the US embassy to get one (or lose the holiday and the cost of it). So time is of the essence especially if public offices/places are shut down in the near future.

The only thing I find a bit odd - I have never double checked the state of my ESTA's - once approved I print it off and keep it for peace of mind - it would never occur to me to check again - perhaps I should for forthcoming trips to USA.
I wonder if the OP did actually put something down that was not 100% true or accurate?
Let's hope he updates us.

Every single thing on my application was honest and accurate. Is it not to do with this current coronavirus outbreak?

Westin

Never known or heard of an ESTA changing from Approved to Pending. That's a new one. 

Are you on a UK passport?   Just wonder if you are not and instead hold a  European one that it might be some silly system quirk given today's temporary travel ban for schengen originating flights.  I wouldn't put it past some overzealous US pen pusher to have misinterpreted the Great Leader's travel ban  (let's face it his announcement differed from the actual travel restrictions that ultimately were released).

I can't see the point of calling Virgin Atlantic. They won't be able to help.   If it does not clear from Pending in next day or so then it is the US Border Protection people or US Embassy you need to contact.

Velli

Westin said:

Never known or heard of an ESTA changing from Approved to Pending. That's a new one. 

Are you on a UK passport?   Just wonder if you are not and instead hold a  European one that it might be some silly system quirk given today's temporary travel ban for schengen originating flights.  I wouldn't put it past some overzealous US pen pusher to have misinterpreted the Great Leader's travel ban  (let's face it his announcement differed from the actual travel restrictions that ultimately were released).

I can't see the point of calling Virgin Atlantic. They won't be able to help.   If it does not clear from Pending in next day or so then it is the US Border Protection people or US Embassy you need to contact.

UK passport. British citizen that has never travelled abroad aside from a couple of high school trips to brussels 10 years ago. But again is it not to do with the current outbreak that that they are re-reviewing all ESTA applications from Europe made in the last few weeks? Could that not be it? 

mattyprice4004

Velli said:

Westin said:

Never known or heard of an ESTA changing from Approved to Pending. That's a new one. 

Are you on a UK passport?   Just wonder if you are not and instead hold a  European one that it might be some silly system quirk given today's temporary travel ban for schengen originating flights.  I wouldn't put it past some overzealous US pen pusher to have misinterpreted the Great Leader's travel ban  (let's face it his announcement differed from the actual travel restrictions that ultimately were released).

I can't see the point of calling Virgin Atlantic. They won't be able to help.   If it does not clear from Pending in next day or so then it is the US Border Protection people or US Embassy you need to contact.

UK passport. British citizen that has never travelled abroad aside from a couple of high school trips to brussels 10 years ago. But again is it not to do with the current outbreak that that they are re-reviewing all ESTA applications from Europe made in the last few weeks? Could that not be it? I hate to think its because of my islamic name or my race...

You never know, but Virgin aren't the people you need to speak to. 

Westin

All very strange then Velli.   Let’s hope it clears in a day or so.
Forget calling VAA.

photome

How did you know it had changed to pending, I had an ESTA approved yesterday, I wont look at the application again unless I get a notification email, I did print off the approved application

Velli

photome said:

How did you know it had changed to pending, I had an ESTA approved yesterday, I wont look at the application again unless I get a notification email, I did print off the approved application

I got an email to say 'your status has changed'