The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows Nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply and pay for a travel authorization without a visa. The ESTA app is a mobile version of the ESTA application process and information that can also be found on the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
The ESTA app currently has two features available: Apply for New Individual Application and Search for Existing Application.
• The “GET STARTED” feature allows travelers to create a new ESTA application, pay for the ESTA and submit the application to be processed by the system to determine if they are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa. The system will provide the traveler with an automated response.
• The “FIND IT” feature allows travelers to check the status of their existing ESTA application..
CBP recommends that you apply for ESTA at the time you book your travel, but no less than 72 hours prior to boarding.
ESTA Mobile Positive Reviews
ExcellentMakes everything easier and fast.GAJC180189Version: 1.13.0
Great App!Makes things a lot easier than logging into the website..AgaVeronicaVersion: 1.14.0
Straight forwardEasy to do and very clear instructions.Bk!234Version: 1.16.2
Really goodI think is such professional and accurate.Nisael iglesiasVersion: 1.16.2
Really greatGood app for ESTA. Easy to use and quickly able to fill out the form..Newson chowVersion: 1.15.2
So many Questions.A lot of work, just to get a connecting flight. Needs to be more mobile user friendly..Stars n’ StripesVersion: 1.14.1
Love the appThink iets very clear and it makes me happy to get my esta in order.Isra23nlVersion: 1.15.15
Loyal customerEnjoying using this app very convenient...AF_45JAMESVersion: 1.16.2
Thank youIt was easy and straightforward ..GinaolondrizVersion: 1.15.2
Awesome appThis is really a great app! The ESTA-application only took me minutes while already at the airport! Cheers ✌️.Sonny_2824Version: 1.14.0
Excellent!Useful. Thank you very much. God bless America and you all..Karen de VázquezVersion: 1.16.17
UK CitizenExcellent service, very easy to use and cuts the drudgery of online forms..CcdhvjydxvhmVersion: 1.12.0
MrFast. Easy. Convenient and improved.Chiber22Version: 1.15.8
Mark D MaraghEasy and straightforward to use.MDMSLUVersion: 1.15.8
Está mobile reviewBest experience ever. Well done!!.YikeseliaVersion: 1.15.2
I WelshMost efficient site ever..CABawsVersion: 1.15.2
RFID from Passport is AwesomeSuper easy, safe and reads passport RFID using NFC reader from iPhone 11 is awesome!!.HebertReisVersion: 1.14.0
Simpler processIt works.Basileu77Version: 1.15.8
MissSo easy to use. Amazing!.Luisa melanyVersion: 1.12.0
Y. D.A total game changer. This app is great!.י. תםVersion: 1.16.17
IPhone complicationsIt’s complicated on my iPhone.MandydesilviaVersion: 1.14.0
Easy to useVery handy and easy to use! Took me 15 minutes to do the whole process!.Vicky17.Version: 1.16.17
☺️User friendly and efficient.Dr A HasanVersion: 1.16.17
ESTA ProcessThis App is just smooth, easy and fast. Thank you!.Possbil_2Version: 1.16.17
IntuitivoExcelente.ForodscyVersion: 1.16.2
Mr Odilio AngeliEasy to use.Odi1Version: 1.15.8
Phone readyApp works well, there are really minor issues with the phone version. The right hand scroll arrow is hiding and you have to slide left to find it. Taking the 2nd selfie is traumatizing lol, the phone is 4 inches away from face so go cross eyed trying to read the screen. Apart from that it’s pretty easy to use..Kiwi sparkVersion: 1.15.15
Easy processThis was such an easy process. I love travelling to the US. ! Thank you!.Barb hexVersion: 1.15.2
QuickGreat app.Medeiros 79Version: 1.15.0
Esta appGreat! Easy to use. Got
My application done in 10
minutes!.DrimbolyerVersion: 1.14.0
TravellingReasonable questions,easier than the terminal at the airport. And having the app means it’s always available.FishMUFCVersion: 1.14.3
Takes agesTakes at least 1/2 to fill out..BoraatVersion: 1.14.1
ScanningScanning doesn’t work well..JeffeyyyyyVersion: 1.14.0
ESTA AppGreat tool.
Very easy to use.
Time saver.
The Black Sarote’.The Black Sarot’Version: 1.13.0
About sideAlways helpful side thx ESTA it’s easy to travel in usa.Parlad kaliaVersion: 1.13.0
I wish it would tell me I didn’t need an estaI live in a country that doesn’t need an esta. I did not know this. Got stuck when it wouldn’t allow me to pick a country of citizenship. The first thing should be to ask for country of origin..GnfieicnfjdVersion: 1.5.0
Just a wrapper of the websiteWhat’s the point?
Should at least be able save your ESTA so you don’t have to log in each time.PlantImporterVersion: 1.3.28
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ESTA Mobile Negative Reviews
Drop downsMany fields are required to fill in before proceeding, but either the field is pre-populated with the information from the picture and the app doesn’t register that the field is already populated or there is no keyboard and only a drop down menu with limited choices. For example, the app requires you to input your nationality, but only 10-15 countries pop up. I cannot choose the correct country because it is not on the drop down menu therefore I cannot proceed with the application process..OhmesoTorieVersion: 1.13.0
Only EnglishThere is no apparent way to change the language from English from where the app opens up. How do you expect people to use it? There is a lot of advanced English here, even somebody with some proficiency is not going to be able to use the app. But as a taxpayer, I’ve come to expect nothing more than mediocrity from our government..Sloppy7thsVersion: 1.3.33
Bug reportSubmission from the US is blocked during the information confirmation screen. After the passport MRZ, liveness, and tap, the information is confirmed before sending. The country of issue is not a selectable drop down and isn’t pre populated. Since it’s a mandatory field, saving or submitting is blocked..MakellanVersion: 1.16.17
Cannot fill in information or save pageMy apple phone is up to date and I can scan the passport but it doesn’t fill in all the information and it won’t let me fill it in either! I cannot save the page. Totally worthless!.NxyerVersion: 1.15.2
Kind of ok.App works ok. Trouble with scanning chip in passport . Had to try over and over.
Trouble changing the O that the scan read into a small o that is actually on the passport. Not sure if this difference will bring problems at the border check….Eef100zVersion: 1.14.0
App doesn’t workI have tried multiple times to use this app and I cannot move beyond step two because the dropdown menu for issuing country doesn’t work on that screen, at least not on my phone..Asbourne11Version: 1.16.17
Pretty RedundantIt doesn’t do anything that web page doesn’t. I was hoping it would at least allow people to add their ESTA to their wallet so they didn’t have to print it to show at customs..RodinaStaianoVersion: 1.3.33
Similar issue!I can’t access the drop down menu nor can I type in the empty field requesting country! It is already clear on my passport so I am frustrated. Now I am told only non US citizens are required to complete. So why did I receive a text???.Kjb-hVersion: 1.15.2
Glitchy and Missing InformationDoes not recognize certain required fields. Missing required information in some drop downs. Unable to complete process through app.Traveler0071Version: 1.15.2
Can’t even do basic functionalityDrop downs don’t work to fill out the forms. the camera scan took MANY attempts. never was able to complete the process and i tried 3 times..BsteegsVersion: 1.13.0
Doesn’t workDrop downs don’t work but it won’t let me proceed without them. Save & exit also doesn’t work. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling and still had issues..LCL611Version: 1.15.7
Dropdown menusApp needs fixed. There are required fields with drop down menus that don’t open and can’t move forward. Please fix. I think it’s step 3 when putting in our nationaltyq..ZeldazoomgrunchVersion: 1.15.2
FrustratedI tried several times to scan the passport after I did the initial scan of the front page and it wouldn’t work.MWooten7Version: 1.14.3
It doesn’t work the cameraCan’t scan passport because it don’t open the camera to do it. There is no option to grant access to the camera. Useless app..PonkusVersion: 1.3.28
Doesn’t work for babiesDon’t bother using this if you’re trying to apply for an esta for your baby, it’ll never accept any of the pictures.Paigeeey143Version: 1.15.2
Doesn’t work!Two fields on the second screen are required but no selection can be made. Issuing Country and Country of Citizenship cannot be selected..SFRappVersion: 1.16.17
Omg terribleDon’t read the exacts information from your passport and the procedure it’s confusing and terrible. I made it online in 10 minutes. So don’t waist your time with this app please.MotankaoberegVersion: 1.11.0
Issue with the fields on the applicationThe fields don’t work after scan my passport. for examples, i can’t select the country issuing field as a dropdown, the menu doesn’t work.TwrqishVersion: 1.15.0
Doesn’t workIt doesn’t give me the option to choose my country of origin (United States) but says I can’t proceed until I pick a country. So I’m stuck and can’t progress..Daniel is stuckVersion: 1.13.0
Glitching and won’t let me saveIt was fletching not letting me add the issuing country and wouldn’t let me save. When I went to do it online, USA was not even an option for issuing country..PoddycasterVersion: 1.15.8
Drop down doesn’t workSomeone had mentioned in August that the drop down doesn’t work. I confirm that. Why haven’t you guys fixed it yet?.MoliciousmoVersion: 1.15.0
Too tough on app with kidsThis is far too complicated now. My daughter is a British citizen and shouldn’t have to go through this in transit to the Uk with a direct return flight..NickCD1974Version: 1.13.0
Scan don’t workScanning the top of the passports don’t work. Error is given every time..-:NoOne:-Version: 1.4.0
Too Many BugsWill not allow me to select country of origin or other fields, does not populate nations. Can’t move forward at all..Jon boy 9Version: 1.15.2
Drop downs don’t workIt doesn’t pre populate certain required items from the passport and you cannot manually add them..GazMX5Version: 1.15.1
Doesn’t capture the pictureScans the data, but the NFC is unable to capture the passport picture “unexpected error, please go to esta website”
What a failure.CTO2025Version: 1.7.0
App not workingThe drop down arrows don’t work which prevent you from selecting the correct country. App has no use..Benjamin12344Version: 1.15.2
Fields missingMissing information but won’t let me fill in. Nothing populates after face scanning..JakuhoRaikobenVersion: 1.14.0
Dump the AppIt’s slow, too much scrolling, you’re faster doing it online.Q|X PerceptionVersion: 1.15.8
It’s ok if you have all details with you…Surely after finding your ESTA you should be able to save it within the app so you don’t need to keep submitting all relevant details to find it. Seems pointless?.Big_Nev_EFCVersion: 1.3.33
App doesn’t workAfter scanning my passport, the app disabled the drop down menu to select my citizenship, preventing me from continuing..RyanSammanVersion: 1.3.33
DOES NOT WORKAfter following the steps, taking photos and scanning the passport it fails to let you use the drop down to select citizenship. Does not allow you to save and exit either. Completely pointless app. I will attempt on a desktop now. Hopefully better results to come..Seaymark27Version: 1.15.8
FrustratingWe, both my wife and myself, have attempted using this app to apply for an ESTA 8 times or more on an apple13 phone, a PC and a Mac.we can scan the passport but as soon as we attempt to enter Canada as the passport country of issue, everything collapses. We can go no further. Even more frustrating, there is absolutely no help anywhere to address this. We cannot even save all that we entered..GoldeneyebcVersion: 1.15.2
Scroll toggle won’t workTERRIBLE APP. won’t let me save and exit because the scroll toggle on the first page won’t load. So terrible. How am I supposed to get back home if this app won’t work properly to give me a chance to apply for this visa..Busybeans99Version: 1.15.0
App difficultyUnable to scan the front of my passport. Cannot finalize my application.ShelseabooVersion: 1.14.4
Not 72hrsDefinitely not “within 72hrs” if your planing on travelling do this form a few weeks before! You won’t get a answer within 72hrs that’s a lie.Garage !!Version: 1.14.3
Payment systemAwful.Johnny02456Version: 1.14.3
App brokenDrop down for required field nationality doesn’t work - cannot go to the next step.
Also another drop down doesn’t have “Canada” so I can’t even select the correct country for myself..Yuhanlin08Version: 1.14.0
I can’t enter my country and citizenshipAfter scanning my passport and all, at the section for my citizenship I can’t enter anything and can’t continue..DrFinesHerbesVersion: 1.13.0
Could be betterNo Apple Pay, not easy to resume applications, app crashes when entering payment..I_dont_want_oneVersion: 1.12.0
Cannot payApp and website won’t allow me to pay.JewcyfruitsVersion: 1.3.28
DisasterCan’t process payment, doesn’t even offer me to do a payment over the app.
Asks for National identification number only from the States, and does not let you write identification number from other countries. Had to spend quite the amount of time googling to actually realise I need to write UNKNOWN. I would like to expand this review with saying how bad is the browser version, but as this is only for the app, unfortunately I won’t do that.
I will rather pay 150€ more just to avoid layover in the States..JufeckaVersion: 1.16.17
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US Customs And Border Protection
