ESTA WOES

Leavemealone

Any one tried recently to apply for ESTA for USA It took 5 hours + on Sunday to apply for 2 ESTA and today have only managed to get one application in which kept saying come back later server down and ended saying it would take 72 hours to confirm payment details and when attempting the final application it just goes so far and then ‘server down ‘ message. I had travelled 2 hours to do application as 2 party members live that far away. Total waste of my time and money. 

cymruchris

I flew through it for a couple of members of my family - and they didn't need to be present to get it done  - what actual website were you using? There are lots of copycat sites that offer the same service (for a higher overall cost) that might display the symptoms you've described if not the official site. (It's easy to be duped if you don't pay close attention to the screen details). It would be rare (But still possible) for the official US website to play up - but you might have been unlucky. 

As long as you have scans of passports and all the relevant info - you don't have to be next to your party members to complete the online forms. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Did you use the official US Government website ?

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Anything unofficial adds on a service fee type charge - which can be avoided by using the above link.

jimi_man

I did mine last month. Took about 20 minutes or so to do and I got the authorisation through in about two hours. 

Leavemealone

thank you for your replies. Firstly I checked the site as offered and it is the correct siteI have been using. 

I was asked to scan the photo page and back of passport then a selfie (real time) had to be taken before any further progress could be made? How would I do that if not personally present?

I did this with the first 2 and whilst I had the server down a few times when submitted I received official confirmations within 2 hours - even though it was a Sunday.  

So what am I doing wrong?  On all attempts from differing regions of the country and different phones (so no cache) we were getting the identical problems. 

Luckily I have made all applications in plenty of time but unless there is a possible solution I am still having to make more journeys as passports are now at differing locations. 

cymruchris

We didn't have to do selfies on our applications a couple of months ago - must be quite a recent change on that front. Were you applying on a phone? I imagine it can't ask for a live selfie when you make the application on a laptop - so there should be an option to upload a selfie - especially as some people (as you were) complete applications for others. Good to see you're on the right website though - getting the wrong one from google is very easy. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Incidentally the same cautionary advice applies to other official US Government websites where tourist attractions etc. are involved.

We visited Alcatraz a few years ago (just passing through ) and I was advised to use the official National Park Service website rather than one of the alternative providers who bung on an additional fee on top of the official ticket price as available to the public.

Leavemealone

I think I have my answer- blame Microsoft!

Pollycat

Leavemealone said:

I think I have my answer- blame Microsoft!

Why?......

michele-p

I wondered if the issue might have been the start of the IT meltdowns too.

When I applied for mine and husbands estas a couple of months ago it was pretty easy. Could you not each do you own application from whichever location you are at? or email/WhatsApp the passport photos to each other? I don't think I was asked for a selfie though.

A useful app to have before you leave is Mobile Passport Control, check your if arrival airport uses it. Saves time at immigration as you pre answer the arrival questions in your phone, then use the MPC line at arrivals. This one you take a live selfie after you land and submit your pre filled form. We had a very tight transfer time, and this helped a lot.

Pollycat

michele-p said:

I wondered if the issue might have been the start of the IT meltdowns too.

Then SHOULDN'T the OP be blaming CLOUDSTRIKE?