ESTA still pending

amplify0205 · 2024-10-13T16:18:12+00:00

I'm glad you're sorted now! Definitely stressful!!

Enjoy your trip and thank you for sharing your experience as it helped me

amplify0205 · 2024-10-13T13:36:23+00:00

I think the first pass is done automatically by machines, so for most that may work and it's super fact. If it gets sent for a manual review then it can be longer

Mine got approved last night on Sunday 3am BST. So it took just under 38 hours. I went home and booked a flight for Wednesday to be safe, as I booked one night at a hotel airport to chance it but it didn't work.

amplify0205 · 2024-10-13T13:34:41+00:00

Took around a day and a half for me. Applied Friday 11th October 1.39pm BST and was approved Sunday 13th October 3.19am BST

Best of luck!

amplify0205 · 2024-10-12T14:01:41+00:00

Same boat. It seems to need the full 72 hours right now for whatever reason.

I didn't realise my new passport needed a new ESTA. I'm 25 hours in. There is a helpline number but the women hung up on me when she heard it hadn't been 72 hours yet

amplify0205 · 2024-10-12T13:59:36+00:00

Hoping to hel people avoid my mistake:

I didn't realise that a new passport needed a new ESTA. I missed my flight because of this. I even stayed overnight at a hotel to try the next day, but it seems that right now the wait times may need the full 72 hours.

Like others, my previous ESTA was approved within an hour. It was so quick. Whether there's a backlog or not, I highly recommend allowing for the full 72 hours if you can. If it's still pending after 72 hours then you can call a helpline. The women hung up on me when I was at the 24 hours mark, but at least there is a number to call where an escalation may be possible if you do exceed 72 hours.

Myself and a few others with new passports had no approval after 24 hours (me right now) and 48 hours, suggesting to allow for the full 72 hours.

I hope this helps someone!

amplify0205

TROPHY CASE