Applying for ESTA as a group or a family
20 Aug 11:06
For those planning to apply for ESTA as a group or a family
The official ESTA application website of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accepts ESTA applications not just for individual travelers, but also for groups and families traveling together. This website describes how to apply for ESTA as a group, as well as answers to commonly asked questions about ESTA application as a group. Each of the nine parts listed below offers vital information. Please review the facts and techniques listed below and identify any spots that require consideration to ensure that everyone in your family or group travels securely and successfully.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!
1. How should a family or a group apply for ESTA?
To apply for ESTA as a family or group, first select one representative member to serve as the application’s contact. A representative may apply for ESTA on behalf of up to 50 members of a group at the same time.There is no necessity for the applicant to complete the ESTA application processes himself or herself. A representative of the family or group, or an agent, may submit the application. Individual travelers must be registered, and the passport information for all tourists covered by the application is required when applying for an ESTA.
When applying as a “Group of Applications,” the representative should first collect all members of the group’s passport information before commencing the application process.
2. Is submitting an ESTA group application at the same day/time for all group members a must?
A group application must be filed at the same time for all group members. However, all group members are not required to travel to the same location or on the same route. It is important to note that you cannot apply as a “Group of Applications” if, for example, one member of a family of four (the group representative) applies first and then the other three members apply later.
Starting a “Group of Applications”
- Enter the representative of the family or group’s name, date of birth, email address, and other information.
- Following the authorization decision, an email in English will be sent. To ensure that you receive this email, turn off all SPAM filters.
- Next, input precise travel details for each group member, including the representative. After you’ve finished entering information for the first person (the representative), click “Add a new applicant” and fill out the form for the second traveler (a member of your family or group). Even if you submit a “Group of Applications,” you must answer all questions correctly for each group member.
3. What should the family or group representative do before traveling?
Enter information carefully since the information supplied while applying for an ESTA must exactly match the information indicated on the traveler’s passport. Based on the information indicated on the traveler’s passport, the boarding permit will be granted after determining whether or not the ESTA application procedure was completed appropriately. If the information on the passport and the information provided into the ESTA application do not match, the tourist will be denied boarding. This is due to the fact that he or she will be judged to lack ESTA permission.
Because ESTA applications are self-reported, the US government does not compare the content of the application to passport information when deciding whether or not to permit a visitor.
As a result, issues such as inaccurate or partial passport numbers, wrong family and given names, or dates of birth inaccuracies may cause issues while checking in for the trip. To avoid such scenarios, before flying, the representative should double-check that the application information for the “Group of Applications” matches the information on all group members’ passports. If there is a disagreement between the passport information and the information entered, you may reapply for ESTA, but you will have to pay the fees again. We propose that when submitting a “Group of Applications,” all members of the group, not just the representative, examine the substance of the application, and then check again after applying.
4. When should I apply for ESTA?
Make sure you apply for an ESTA at least three days before your trip.
An ESTA application may take up to three days, or 72 hours, to be reviewed. However, keep in mind that communication of screening findings may take longer owing to system faults or other issues, and ESTA authorisation may be rejected in rare situations.
If a mistake is discovered in your application, you will need to reapply for ESTA with the right information, which will extend the application process even further.
Every day, thousands of individuals from all over the world use the US ESTA computer system to plan their trips to the United States. However, screening and delivery of screening results have only been delayed a few times in the past due to system failures, server unavailability, and other factors.
Furthermore, if there is a difficulty during ESTA screening for even one member of the family or group, authorisation for all members of the group may be delayed.To minimize tension at the time of departure, apply for an ESTA as soon as you decide on your trip arrangements.
5. What could happen if I didn’t apply for ESTA?
To visit the continental United States, Hawaii, and other U.S. islands without a visa for up to 90 days, you must apply for ESTA.
If you do not have an ESTA, you will be unable to board your aircraft on the scheduled departure date. Even if you were permitted to board your aircraft, you may be denied admission and ordered to return to your home country during immigration screening once you arrive in the United States.
If there was no problem with the content of the application, you will get notification of ESTA application results a few days after applying for both group and individual applications. ESTA screening results may even be sent on the same day in rare situations. However, if there is a mistake in the application information for even one person of your family or group, it might result in complications such as not being allowed to enter the United States, which would spoil everyone’s vacation plans. Begin preparing for your ESTA application as soon as you have decided on your vacation itinerary. Although you are not required to apply for ESTA in order to visit Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands, we encourage that you do so since possessing ESTA can make immigration screening procedures run more easily and reduce wait times.
6. Are preschool children and infants also required to apply for ESTA?
Preschoolers and newborns are also needed to apply for ESTA. All international visitors visiting the mainland United States, Hawaii, or other U.S. islands, regardless of age, must apply for ESTA.
If any member of your traveling party, even preschool children and newborns, has not acquired ESTA, airline personnel will notify you when you check in for your flight, and your trip might be ruined.
The procedure is the same as for adults. Apply for ESTA for your entire family or group ahead of time to ensure a stress-free start to your vacation.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!
7. Should the representative pay for the ESTA application fee for all members of the group?
Many passengers who register for ESTA as a “Group of Applications” wonder if the application cost for each tourist must be paid separately. The ESTA application cost for all group members may be paid in one lump sum by credit card, either by the representative or by any other person.
Even if the applicant’s name differs from the name on the credit card, this has no impact on ESTA screening.
Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, and American Express are accepted for ESTA application costs. Because payment cannot be done by bank transfer or convenience shops, make sure you already have one of these credit cards before applying. It is also incredibly easy to check in and pay for lodge rooms with a credit card. If you do not already have one, we urge that you apply for one.
8. Is the result of application for a “Group of Applications” sent to the representative only?
When submitting as a “Group of Applications,” we propose that the application results be delivered to the representative’s email address. Notifying the results to various email accounts may make it more difficult to check on the screening results or submit enquiries, and it may also result in a time gap between getting notifications.
It is more advantageous to use a single email address as the recipient of results notifications and as the main contact for the application, so that all application information can be collected centrally by the representative. Emails will be delivered in English following the permission decision and communication of findings.
If your email service has a SPAM filter, turn it off ahead of time to ensure that you may receive these emails.
9. What points should I note when applying for ESTA again?
It is important to note that if you are denied travel permission after applying for ESTA, you may not apply for ESTA again until 24 hours have passed after you were told of the findings of your prior application.
When applying for ESTA again, double-check the information on your passport and be sure you submit it correctly. You may apply for ESTA as many times as necessary, but you may be required to pay a charge each time. You can also apply again and replace the content of your prior application.
However, you may not be able to amend or rectify information entered in some circumstances. If your application is refused again, call US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), explain that there was an error in the content of your application, and ask how you may fix the application information.
Once information has been input, it cannot be deleted. When applying for an ESTA as a group or as a family, all members of the party should work together to ensure that the application’s material is free of inconsistencies or errors.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!
