ESTA renewal – How Long is an ESTA Valid?
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There is no renewal system for ESTA. You must apply a new ESTA if your current ESTA was about to expire and plan of your visit to the U.S. came up after its expiration, or if it was simply expired. In any of these cases, you must complete the same procedures to apply for a new ESTA.It is not possible to recover invalidated ESTA information.
ESTA’s expiration date
ESTA (Electric System for Travel Authorization)’s validated period is for 2 years from the date of its issuance after the application.
Check “ESTA expiration date and re-application” for details of ESTA expiration date.
Notes on reapplying for ESTA before it expires
You may apply for ESTA as many times as you like, even if considerable time remains before the expiration of your current ESTA. When you apply for a new ESTA and is issued a new application number and expiration date, your previous ESTA information will be invalidated and only the information on your most recent ESTA application will remain in effect. Strictly speaking, there is no “renewal” system for ESTA. Since the procedures are largely the same whether or not your previous ESTA has expired, the term “reapply” is used. Also, note that once you have applied for and received a new ESTA, your past ESTA information will not be recoverable for any reasons. At the same time you apply for a new ESTA, past information will be deleted. Please understand this beforehand. Reapply for ESTA taking into full consideration for the expiration date of your current ESTA and your future travel plans to the United States.
Available number of visit to the U.S. on an ESTA
ESTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries within the validity period. The purpose of travel should be limited to sightseeing or short-term business, and the maximum stay is 90 days. If you frequently travel and stay for a duration of 30 to 90 days each time, the immigration officer may take you to a separate room and ask you to provide additional information on the purpose of your stay. If you plan on staying twice or more for longer than 6 months, please consider applying for a visa instead of an ESTA. Visa has a different entry system than ESTA and must be applied for at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates.
More information for available number of visit to the U.S. on an ESTA, please check here.
How long does it take to get ESTA
Citizens of countries eligible for the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) designated by the U.S. government are permitted to enter the U.S. only by applying for an ESTA and presenting a passport without obtaining a visa. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) can be obtained in a short time from application, and all procedures are completed online. It takes up to 72 hours from application to acquisition, but in most cases it is possible to acquire a “Travel Application Number” within a few hours.
It takes about 15 minutes to enter, and you are required to register personal information and answer 10 questions. However, if you answer “yes” to even one of the questions, you are not eligible to apply for ESTA, then consider obtaining a visa that matches your purpose when you wish to travel to the U.S.
In general, short-term business/ tourist visas (B1/B2) take one to two months from application to acquisition, and require the submission of multiple documents and an interview with a consular officer. If you are traveling to the U.S., including Hawaii, for sightseeing or short-term business purposes, we recommend applying ESTA, which can be obtained in a short amount of time.
Questions for ESTA updates and re-application
Can I renew my ESTA?
ESTA does not have “renewal” system. Once ESTA is expired “re-application” is required by filling out the application form and the payment again. Those who re-apply and receive travel authorization are issued new ESTA expiration date and travel application number. ESTA’s validated period is for 2 years from the date of its issuance. For more details, check “ESTA expiration date and re-application”
How long does ESTA renewal take?
ESTA does not have renewal system. If you plan to visit the U.S. after ESTA’s expiration, you must re-apply for it. Prepare following 2 for re-application.
- Valid passport
- Credit card for the payment (it can be other than applicant’s)
Approximate time to fill out the form would be 15 minutes. Although ESTA application is examined and send out the notification of the result within 24 hours in general, you may want to apply it at least 72 hours prior to your departure.
What happens when ESTA expires?
You do not need to re-apply ESTA if you do not have any plans for the visit to the U.S. after your ESTA expiration. Apply for ESTA again once your U.S. visit is planned. If you plan to visit Hawaii or the U.S. by ESTA instead of visa, you would need to re-apply ESTA. Please do so with valid passport and credit card.
For details, check “ESTA expiration date and re-application”
Can I re-apply for ESTA?
ESTA can be applied as many times as you need. Re-apply when ESTA expires or when it is about to expire. However, those who do not have any plans to visit the U.S. do not need to re-apply ESTA after its expiration. Apply ESTA again once your trip to the U.S. was decided. ESTA is valid for 2 years from the acquisition. Check “ESTA expiration date and re-application” for details related to ESTA expiration date and re-application.
UPDATE : 2024/08/13
