How long is an ESTA authorization valid for?
To travel to the USA, you need an ESTA authorization. Here's what you need to know about ESTA validity and expiration dates.
Before traveling to the United States, you must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), a pre-entry clearance for the US. To help you get started, read this step-by-step guide to filling out your ESTA and watch this video about the ESTA process. Your ESTA has been approved? Congratulations! Here’s what you need to know about how long it remains valid.
How long your ESTA is valid
- Your ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date your application is approved. If you receive your ESTA on August 1, 2026, it will remain valid until July 31, 2028.
- If you return to the United States before your ESTA expires, you don’t need to apply again or pay the $40 fee. Simply travel with your original approval confirmation.
- You also don’t need to update your ESTA for return trips to the United States. You won’t need to provide your destination city or hotel information again, for example.
When you need a new ESTA
Although your ESTA is valid for 2 years from approval, there are exceptions. Even if your current ESTA hasn’t expired, you must apply for a new one in these 4 situations:
- Your passport has expired and you’re traveling with a new one. Your ESTA is linked to your passport. If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ESTA.
- You’ve changed nationality and are traveling with a passport from your new country.
- You’ve changed your name or gender.
- You need to change any of the mandatory yes-or-no questions on your application. Be aware that answering “yes” to certain questions may result in your ESTA being denied.
What if your ESTA expires while you’re in the US?
- If your ESTA expires during your stay in the United States, there’s no problem. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirms that “this will not affect your departure.”
- In other words, if your ESTA expires on March 1, 2025, you must enter the United States by February 28, 2025. It doesn’t matter if you leave on March 2 or March 10. The ESTA is a pre-entry authorization, not a stay permit.
ESTA is not a visa
- One more important point: ESTA is not a visa but only a pre-entry authorization for the United States. The fact that your ESTA is valid for 2 years does not mean you can stay in the US for 2 years.
- If you’re from Europe or a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program, your ESTA allows you to stay in the United States for up to 90 days, no longer. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to obtain a US visa.