Brits reminded to apply for US ESTA in plenty of time
Some British travellers have complained of missing flights to the US after being unable to apply for their ESTA visa waiver in time after a system upgrade caused it to crash.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is the visa-waiver programme available for citizens of countries including the UK, which allows them to stay in the US for 90-days without an official visa.
ESTA applications can be completed online and take around 15 to 20 minutes and, because of the quick turnaround, people often leave them to the last minute.
On Friday, an upgrade to the system meant the website failed over the weekend, which meant many people could not apply for the ESTA and weren’t able to fly.
A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told The Times: "CBP has for many years recommended that prospective travellers complete the online ESTA form at least 72 hours in advance of travel to ensure sufficient time for processing."
He added that passengers unable to make their flights may be allowed to claim compensation.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025