What are the reasons for authorization to be pending after applying for ESTA?

21 Aug 15:11

The three patterns of ESTA application results

To go to the United States without a visa, you must apply for ESTA and acquire “authorization approved” status. If there are no issues with your ESTA application, you may gain “authorization approved” status within 3 days (72 hours) after submitting it. In other circumstances, though, your status may be “authorization pending” or “travel not authorized.” The frequency of such occurrences has risen over time, most likely as a result of growing terrorism throughout the world.
The number of screening questions on the ESTA application form rose in 2016, and screening for entrance into the United States became more stringent. This article describes what to do if your status is “authorization pending” or “travel not authorized.”

Status after completing ESTA application

  1. “Authorization approved”: Permission to go to the United States has been granted.
  2. “Authorization pending”: Screening is now underway, or the application is pending for other reasons.
  3. “Travel not authorized”: For various reasons, you are not permitted to go to the United States (you may apply for a B visa).

1.If the result of your ESTA application is “authorization approved”

Applicants who obtained the result “authorization approved” have been granted permission to travel to the United States under the visa waiver program. You must adhere to the travel times and purposes indicated for the visa waiver program. If you intend to remain longer than permitted under the visa waiver program or visit the United States for a reason not listed among those eligible for the visa waiver program, apply for the necessary visa (such as a student or work visa) rather than ESTA.

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!

2.If the result of your ESTA application is “authorization pending”

The status “authorization pending” indicates that your application is currently being reviewed. Although ESTA application results are typically revealed within three days, or 72 hours, if your current status is “authorization pending,” screening of your application is still ongoing. In that situation, we recommend that you wait a few hours before refreshing the website to check your status again. On rare occasions, server failure or large-scale system maintenance at US Customs and Border Protection may cause delays in responding to screening findings. As a consequence, please be patient and await your findings. In rare situations, the notice “application not found” may display after an ESTA application has reached the “authorization pending” stage. If this occurs, your ESTA application was not correctly completed. In the event of a rejected application, the status “travel not authorized” may be displayed. Even if your status is “authorization pending,” try not to worry.

3.If the result of your ESTA application is “travel not authorized”

“Travel not authorized” indicates that you have been denied permission to go to the United States for some reason. The United States Customs and Border Protection, which controls ESTA, would not tell tourists why their trip was denied. If your journey is not approved despite the fact that you have no major criminal past and you cannot think of any other explanation, the most likely reason is a mistake in the information you supplied.
The application form for ESTA asks for previous criminal background, medical history, and failed visa applications. Those who incorrectly answered “Yes” to any of these questions, those who correctly answered “Yes,” or those who submitted a false application concealing a criminal or medical history for which you should have answered “Yes” to one of these questions will almost always have their ESTA application rejected and their status will be “travel not authorized.” When applying for an ESTA, pay close attention and ensure that all information is entered correctly.

You may apply for ESTA again after 24 hours

Even if your status changed to “travel not authorized,” you can reapply for ESTA as many times as you like. However, it has been agreed that an applicant will be eligible to apply for ESTA again once at least 24 hours have passed since being notified of the refusal.
If you put erroneous information on your application, you may reapply after amending the information; however, screening is harsher for passengers who have been denied authorisation even once, and as a result, it may take longer to get notification of the results.
If your status is “authorization pending,” it signifies that the screening process is still in progress. Wait a few moments before refreshing the page to check your status again. Even if your permission was declined owing to wrongly submitted information, the application money will not be returned. You will be unable to travel to the United States until you reapply for ESTA with proper information and get authorisation. If your application is refused owing to an error in submitting information, do not worry; instead, wait at least 24 hours before reapplying for an ESTA.

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!