How to Check ESTA Status Online - Complete Lookup Guide 2025

Checking your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) status is essential to confirm your application has been approved before traveling to the United States. You can check your status at any time using the official CBP website, whether you just applied or your ESTA was approved years ago.

There are two methods to check your ESTA status, depending on whether you have your application number:

Method 1: Check with Application Number (Fastest)

• ✓Go to the official ESTA website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• ✓Click "Check ESTA Status" or "Check Individual Status"
• ✓Select "Individual Status Inquiry" option
• ✓Enter your Application Number (a 14-character alphanumeric code starting with a letter)
• ✓Enter your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY format)
• ✓Click "Check Status"
• ✓Your ESTA status will be displayed immediately

Method 2: Check without Application Number (Using Passport Information)

• ✓Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• ✓Click "Check ESTA Status"
• ✓Select "Retrieve Application" if you do not have your application number
• ✓Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on your passport
• ✓Select your country of citizenship from the dropdown
• ✓Enter your passport issuance date
• ✓Enter your passport expiration date
• ✓Enter your date of birth
• ✓Click "Retrieve Application"
• ✓Your application number will be displayed, then you can check status

Your ESTA can show one of three official statuses. Here is what each means:

1. Authorization Approved (Green Status)

This is the status you want to see. It means:

• ✓Your ESTA application has been approved
• ✓You are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program
• ✓Your ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)
• ✓You can make multiple trips to the U.S. during the validity period
• ✓Each trip can be up to 90 days
• ✓You do NOT need to print this confirmation (though it is recommended)

2. Authorization Pending (Yellow Status)

This status means your application is still being reviewed:

• ✓Your application requires additional processing time
• ✓This is normal and does not mean denial
• ✓The system is conducting further security checks
• ✓You should receive a final decision within 72 hours
• ✓Most pending applications are eventually approved

3. Travel Not Authorized (Red Status)

This is a denial. It means:

• ✓Your ESTA application has been denied
• ✓You are NOT authorized to travel under the Visa Waiver Program
• ✓You cannot reapply for ESTA (reapplying will result in another denial)
• ✓You must apply for a U.S. visa at an embassy or consulate instead
• ✓The denial is typically permanent for ESTA (though visa applications may still succeed)

If you did not save your application number, do not worry - you can still retrieve it and check your status:

• ✓Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov and click 'Check ESTA Status'
• ✓Select "Retrieve Application Number"
• ✓Enter your passport information (passport number, issuance date, expiration date)
• ✓Enter your date of birth and country of citizenship
• ✓The system will display your application number
• ✓Save this number for future use

If you cannot retrieve your application number using passport information:

• ✓Double-check that you are entering passport information exactly as it appears on your passport
• ✓Verify you are using the correct passport (the one you used for the ESTA application)
• ✓Make sure you are entering the correct date of birth format (MM/DD/YYYY)
• ✓If still unable to retrieve, contact CBP help desk at +1-202-344-3710

When you check your ESTA status, the system will display important validity information:

• ✓Authorization Approval Date: When your ESTA was approved
• ✓Expiration Date: When your ESTA authorization expires
• ✓Travel Valid Until: The last date you can use your ESTA to enter the U.S.

It is recommended to check your ESTA status:

• ✓Before booking any travel to the U.S. (to ensure it is still valid)
• ✓At least 72 hours before your departure
• ✓If you get a new passport (your old ESTA will show invalid)
• ✓If any of your circumstances change (name change, new citizenship, etc.)
• ✓Periodically if you travel to the U.S. frequently

Some information on your ESTA can be updated after approval, while other changes require a new application:

Information You CAN Update:

• ✓Email address
• ✓Phone number
• ✓Home address
• ✓Employment information
• ✓U.S. contact information
• ✓Travel itinerary details (flight information, U.S. address)

To update this information:

• ✓Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• ✓Click "Check ESTA Status"
• ✓Enter your application number and date of birth
• ✓Click "Update" next to the information you want to change
• ✓Make your changes and submit

If you applied for ESTA for multiple people at once (family, group travel), you can check all statuses together:

• ✓Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• ✓Click "Check ESTA Status"
• ✓Select "Group Status Inquiry"
• ✓Enter the Group ID provided when you submitted the group application
• ✓All individual applications in the group will be displayed with their current status

Problem: 'Application Not Found' message

• ✓Verify you entered the application number correctly (it is case-sensitive)
• ✓Check that you are using the correct date of birth format (MM/DD/YYYY)
• ✓Make sure your application was actually submitted and paid for
• ✓If using passport information, verify all details match your passport exactly
• ✓Wait 24 hours if you just submitted - the system may still be processing

Problem: Status has been 'Pending' for more than 72 hours

• ✓Contact CBP help desk: +1-202-344-3710 (international) or use the online contact form
• ✓Have your application number ready
• ✓Be prepared to provide passport information
• ✓CBP can provide additional information about the delay

Problem: Status changed from 'Approved' to 'Not Authorized'

• ✓This can happen if CBP discovers new information or circumstances change
• ✓ESTA authorizations can be revoked at any time
• ✓You will need to apply for a visa instead
• ✓Contact CBP for specific information about the revocation