Has anyone recently applied for an ESTA? It's been a week since I submitted my application, but the status still shows "Authorization Pending," and the fee hasn't been deducted from my account. In the past, approvals were much faster. Has anyone else experienced this delay recently? For context, I only need the ESTA to transit through Los Angeles en route to a third country.
Has Anyone Applied for ESTA Recently?
nned2say on 12/05/2025 - 09:24
Comments
Thank you for the info.
I did , last week . I got mine approved after three hours though .
I was nervous AF because I was flying out in 48 hours and I had left the ESTA application till the last minute.
In my frantic google searching in those three hours , I did see that people were calling up the helpline and asking for an urgent review.
I had expected three hours at most. Luckily, I applied for an ESTA in advance.
I've had them approved instantly and others up to 24 hours (overnight).
I assume a certain percentage go to manual processing.
Mine took about 24 hrs, applies 2 months ago
en route to a third country.
El Salvador? Trump is giving free flights and accommodation if you're going there.
/S
There might be some security issues.
Have you been active on social media posting anti-Trump propoganda?
If I were, I would not transit through the USA at all.
uh oh - you might have been rejected
I called them, and it turns out they hadn’t processed my application. They also won’t escalate it because I applied several months ahead of my flight.
Yes, was approved within 24 hours after applying (even without an address of where I'll be staying)
Ours was recently approved within the hour
I applied about a month ago. In the past they were instantly approved, this time said approval pending (for whole family including children). After 2 days they were approved. As others mentioned its likely been impacted by cutbacks and reduced services, and probably no automated approvals anymore
DOGE cutbacks probably meant the processing time is longer now.
https://www.reddit.com/r/visas/comments/1bttvei/esta_is_stil…
According to some users you can call the Border Protection helpline and get the case escalated if you are in a hurry
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en
Traveler Communications Center
Call:1-202-325-8000
Estas are valid for 2 years after application or until your passport expires (whichever comes first) and is valid for multiple trips within that span of time. Good idea to apply well in advance and not leave it till the last minute.