When you apply for ESTA, in order to get your authorization status, (and proof that your application was successfully submitted) you must click “Pay Now”. You can receive a notification that your procedure is pending and once completed, you will receive a notification by email attaching your respective ESTA.
If you received approval and did not print out or write down your application number, which is needed in order to update your application or check your status,you may retrieve the application number. You will then need to enter the applicant s name, date of birth, passport number and passport issuing country.
In most cases, the ESTA will return an Application Status immediately. In cases where more time is needed to process an electronic travel authorization application, an answer will usually be returned within 72 hours. Information will be provided to check the application status if you receive a pending response. The three possible responses are:
- Authorization Approved.Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. A travel authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
- Travel Not Authorized. You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may apply for a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the U.S. Department of State Web site for additional information about applying for a visa. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits you from traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system also displays a payment receipt notice showing the amount of your payment for the processing of the ESTA application.
- Authorization Pending. Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will usually be made within 72 hours.