If you are planning a holiday to the United States, you may be wondering ‘what is the ESTA?’ For many British travellers, an ESTA is the document that allows them to travel to the US without applying for a visitor visa under the Visa Waiver Program.
It is important to understand what the ESTA is, what an ESTA does and does not do and who needs an ESTA. It is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa, and approval does not guarantee that you will be admitted to the United States. The final decision on admission is made by US Customs and Border Protection when you arrive.
This guide explains what the ESTA for the US is, who may need one, the current ESTA fee, how long it normally lasts and some of the questions that can be particularly confusing for families travelling with autistic or disabled children.
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If you are planning a wider family trip, my United States with autistic children guide covers airports, transport, accommodation, sensory planning and practical preparation.
What is the ESTA?
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an automated system operated by US Customs and Border Protection that determines whether a traveller is eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
The Visa Waiver Program allows eligible nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or certain business purposes for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a visitor visa first. You can find a list of eligible countries on the official CBP website under the section ‘who should apply’ within the ESTA section of the website.
You must have an approved US ESTA before travelling under the Visa Waiver Program. This applies whether you enter the United States by air, sea or land.
Is a US ESTA the Same as a US Visa?
No. An ESTA is not a visa.
An ESTA is permission to travel under the Visa Waiver Program and request admission at the US border. A visa is a different travel document and has its own application process and eligibility rules.
If you already hold a valid US visa that is suitable for the purpose of your trip, you do not normally need an ESTA to travel using that visa.
Who Needs an ESTA for the United States?
You generally need an ESTA if you are travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program rather than using a US visa.
For many British citizens travelling on a qualifying British passport for a short holiday or eligible business trip, this means applying for an ESTA before departure. However, eligibility depends on your nationality, passport, travel history and individual circumstances, so do not assume that everyone with a British passport can automatically use the programme.
You can also check the current participating countries and requirements on the US Department of State Visa Waiver Program page.
Do Children Need Their Own US ESTA?
Yes. Every traveller using the Visa Waiver Program needs their own approved ESTA, including babies and children.
A parent, relative, travel agent or another third party can complete an application on behalf of a child, but the information still needs to relate to that individual child and their passport.
You might find it useful to set up a Google Drive folder dedicated to storing copies of travel documents like travel insurance, medical paperwork, ESTA approval emails and more.
How Much Does an ESTA for the United States Cost?
As of August 2026, the official ESTA application fee is US$40.27. At the time of writing this converted to £30.77 per person.
The cost for a child US ESTA is the same as the cost for an adult US ESTA.
Fees can change, so check the amount shown on the official US government ESTA website before paying.
Be particularly careful with websites that look official but are actually third-party application services. US Customs and Border Protection has warned travellers about third-party ESTA sites, which may charge extra fees for completing an application that you can submit directly yourself.
The official application website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. There is also an ESTA application app which is legitimate and could be much easier as you need to scan your passport and your face using a camera.
How Long Does an ESTA Last?
An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first.
During that validity period, an ESTA can normally be used for more than one trip, provided you remain eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
The two-year ESTA validity period should not be confused with the length of an individual visit. Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is generally limited to stays of up to 90 days.
When Do You Need a New ESTA?
You will need to apply for a new ESTA when your previous authorisation expires. You will also normally need a new application if you receive a new passport because an ESTA is linked electronically to a specific passport.
US Customs and Border Protection also states that a new ESTA may be required if important details change, including your name, citizenship or the answers to eligibility questions.
If your passport is approaching expiry, check your passport requirements before applying. My guide to passport validity rules for travellers explains why the expiry date and destination rules should always be checked before travel.
How Early Should You Apply for an ESTA?
US Customs and Border Protection recommends applying as soon as you start planning your trip and not leaving the application until the airport. Travellers have historically been advised to allow at least 72 hours before departure.
Applying early is particularly useful for families who need predictability. If an application is not approved immediately, finding out before travel day gives you more time to understand the next step rather than dealing with unexpected uncertainty at check-in.
What Information Do You Need for an ESTA Application?
The application asks for personal, passport and travel-related information. You will also answer eligibility questions.
Before starting, it is sensible to have the exact passport you intend to travel with beside you. Enter details carefully and check passport numbers, names and dates before submitting the form.
Do not copy details from an old booking or an expired passport. Your approved ESTA needs to be connected to the passport you use for travel.
ESTA Questions About Physical or Mental Disorders
One ESTA eligibility question refers to physical or mental disorders and associated behaviour. This wording can understandably worry autistic travellers and parents completing an application for an autistic child.
The official CBP guidance focuses on a physical or mental disorder with associated behaviour that poses, or has posed, a threat to property, safety or welfare. A diagnosis on its own is not the same thing as the behaviour described in that question.
Do not guess or answer an eligibility question based on assumptions about autism, ADHD, learning disability or another diagnosis. Read the exact wording on the current official application and use the CBP guidance on the health-related ESTA question if you are unsure what it is asking.
If you remain unsure about how your individual medical or immigration circumstances affect eligibility, obtain appropriate professional advice before completing your US ESTA application.
Can Travel History Affect ESTA Eligibility?
Yes. Nationality and previous travel to certain countries can affect whether you are eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program.
One issue that catches some travellers out is Cuba. US government guidance says that, with limited exceptions, someone who has visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 is not eligible to travel using ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program and would instead need to apply for a visa.
There are other Visa Waiver Program restrictions connected with particular travel and nationality histories. Check the current eligibility rules for the US ESTA because they can change.
Does an Approved ESTA Guarantee Entry to the US?
No. ESTA approval allows you to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and seek admission. It does not guarantee entry.
A US Customs and Border Protection officer makes the admission decision when you arrive at a US port of entry.
You might find it helpful to learn about Preclearance for the United States – some airports have US Customs and Border Protection officers stationed there who can make the decision about admission to the United States at the departure airport rather than at the first airport you land at in the US.
What Happens if Your ESTA Is Denied?
If your ESTA application is not authorised, this does not automatically mean that you can never visit the United States. It means you cannot use that ESTA approval to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply for an appropriate US visa instead. Visa applications follow a different process, and eligibility is assessed separately.
Do You Need to Print Your ESTA?
ESTA is an electronic travel authorisation linked to your passport, so it is not a paper visa that has to be placed inside your passport.
Even so, families may find it reassuring to save the application number and a copy or screenshot of the approval somewhere accessible. This can reduce uncertainty if you want to check the status again before departure.
If you use the ESTA app to apply for your US ESTA then the applications are saved within the app unless you manually remove them. You can then access each one made from that app as and when you need them.
A Simple ESTA Checklist Before Your US Trip
| ESTA Travel Checklist | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Check that you are eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program. | ☐ |
| Use the passport you intend to travel with when applying. | ☐ |
| Apply through the official US government ESTA website. | ☐ |
| Complete a separate ESTA for every traveller, including babies and children. | ☐ |
| Read every eligibility question carefully rather than guessing. | ☐ |
| Apply well before departure rather than leaving it until travel day. | ☐ |
| Check that your ESTA is still valid before each trip. | ☐ |
| If you have received a new passport, check whether you need a new ESTA. | ☐ |
| Check your passport validity and other current US entry requirements. | ☐ |
If airports are one of the more difficult parts of travel for your family, you may also find my guide to getting help at the airport as a disabled traveller useful when planning the journey.
What Is the ESTA for the US? FAQ
Do British citizens need an ESTA for the US?
Eligible British citizens travelling under the Visa Waiver Program need an approved US ESTA before travelling to the United States. Not every traveller is eligible for the programme, so check the current rules for your passport and circumstances.
How much is a US ESTA in 2026?
As of August 2026, the official ESTA application fee is US$40.27. Check the official government application website before paying because fees can change.
Does a child need an ESTA?
Yes. Babies and children travelling under the Visa Waiver Program need their own approved ESTA for the United States. A parent or another third party can submit the application on their behalf.
How long is an ESTA valid?
An approved ESTA for the United States is generally valid for two years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first. It can normally be used for multiple eligible trips during that period.
How long can you stay in the US with an ESTA?
The Visa Waiver Program generally permits eligible visits of up to 90 days. The fact that a US ESTA itself may remain valid for two years does not mean you can remain in the United States for two years.
Is autism a reason for an ESTA refusal?
An autism diagnosis by itself is not the same as the behaviour described in the ESTA health-related eligibility question. The official guidance refers to a physical or mental disorder with associated behaviour that poses or has posed a threat to property, safety or welfare. Read the current question and CBP guidance carefully when completing an application.
Entry requirements can change, so use this guide for planning but check the official US government ESTA and Visa Waiver Program information before travelling.
Continue Planning Your Trip to the United States
- Start with our North America with autistic children guide to explore more destinations and practical family travel advice across the region
- Learn more about what Preclearance for the US is and where you can do it
- Travelling with a hidden disability? Learn more about using the Sunflower Lanyard when you travel
For a full list of guides that can help you plan a trip to the United States with autistic children check out our United States archives.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
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- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
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