Should you list all your first names on your ESTA application?

A new requirement from US authorities

• If your passport lists multiple given names, you must now declare all of them in your ESTA travel authorization. As a reminder, ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that passport holders from most countries must complete at least 72 hours before flying to the United States.
• US authorities introduced this new requirement quietly, with no press release or official announcement. The ESTA form was simply updated one day. It’s up to each applicant to stay informed about these changes.

How do you declare multiple given names on ESTA?

• When you fill out the ESTA form, you’ll notice a small oversight: the field for given names hasn’t been fully updated and still shows the singular label. However, this is where you should enter all your given names.
• List your given names in the same order as they appear on your passport, with no commas or other punctuation. Example: Didier Stéphane Johan

What if you listed only one given name when you have several?

• What happens if you have multiple given names but listed only one on your ESTA application? I contacted ESTA support to get an official answer. The representative told me it “could cause problems during inspection.” That’s a cautious response—they didn’t firmly say it “will” cause problems. It remains in the realm of possibility.
• In practice, I haven’t heard of any traveler being denied entry to the United States for this reason. It simply hasn’t happened. Immigration officers do show flexibility and, in the worst case, can update a file and add missing information. Because this procedure was changed recently, there’s tolerance and understanding.
• If you didn’t add your other given names but your ESTA was approved, you can decide whether to file a new ESTA and pay $40.27 again, or leave things as they are. The information above should help you make that choice.