Holiday Nerd

What Is an ESTA?

An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is not a visa, but an advance travel authorisation required for visitors travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). Most UK passport holders travelling to the US for tourism, business or transit will need an approved ESTA before they fly.

An ESTA allows short stays of up to 90 days per visit and must be approved before you travel. Airlines are required to check this before boarding, and you won’t be allowed to fly without one.

Who Can Apply for an ESTA?

UK citizens with a biometric passport (which is pretty much all passports) are eligible to apply, provided they meet the Visa Waiver Programme conditions. This includes travelling for tourism, business meetings or transit, rather than work or long-term study.

An ESTA may not be available if you:

• Have been refused entry to the US previously
• Have certain criminal convictions
• Have travelled to specific countries that affect eligibility (the most common of these is Cuba)
• Intend to stay longer than 90 days or work in the US

In these cases, a full US visa is usually required instead.

How Much Does an ESTA Cost and How Long Does It Last?

An ESTA currently costs US$21, payable online at the time of application, irrespective of whether it is approved or not.

Once approved, it is valid for two years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During this period, you can make multiple trips to the US without reapplying, as long as each stay is no longer than 90 days.

If you renew or replace your passport, you’ll need to apply for a new ESTA.

How to Apply for an ESTA

ESTA applications are completed online via the official US government website. You’ll need your passport details, basic personal information and an outline of your travel plans. Most applications are approved quickly, often within minutes, but some can take up to 72 hours, so it’s best to apply well in advance of your trip.

There is also an official ESTA mobile app, which allows you to submit applications and check the status of an existing ESTA. As with all travel authorisations, it’s important to apply only through official channels. Unofficial websites often charge additional fees without offering any benefit or faster processing.

US Immigration: What to Expect on Arrival

US airports have a long-standing reputation for slow immigration queues, although experiences vary widely. You can sometimes get lucky — particularly if you’re flying in a premium cabin and are among the first off the aircraft — but long waits are common.

At busy airports and peak arrival times, queues of an hour or more are not unusual. Smaller airports with limited international arrivals can also mean longer waits, especially if you arrive on one of the last flights of the day when staffing levels are lower.

Using Mobile Passport Control (MPC)

Since December 2023, UK travellers entering the US with an ESTA have been allowed to use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. This can significantly speed up the immigration process at participating airports.

The app allows much of the immigration process to be completed digitally, reducing time spent at the border.

How the Mobile Passport Control App Works

The first step is to download the Mobile Passport Control app from your device’s app store.

You then create a profile by scanning your passport. One device can store profiles for up to 12 people, which is particularly useful for families or group travel.

For each trip, you’ll enter brief details about your visit, including your place of residence. This information is saved in the app as “pending”.

Once you’ve landed in the United States, you’ll need to reconnect to the app. Because the submission expires after four hours, this step can only be completed after arrival. You’ll therefore need access to airport Wi-Fi or mobile data, so it’s worth sorting your eSim out in advance so you can turn it straight on when you arrive.

At this point, the app will prompt you to take a selfie. Once submitted, you’ll receive a digital receipt within the app, along with a countdown showing how long it remains valid.

When you reach the immigration hall, there should be a clearly marked queue for Mobile Passport Control. Reopening the app will display your receipt immediately, allowing you to proceed through the MPC lane where available.