The ESTA application in 2026 is still made on the official website or through the official ESTA Mobile app, and the questions on the live form have not changed as a result of the expanded data collection that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed in December 2025. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your travel authorisation, this guide walks you through every stage of the current process, explains what the December 2025 proposal would change if it is approved, and helps you avoid the common mistakes that lead to delays or refusal.
Millions of international travellers rely on ESTA each year for visa-free access to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. In 2026 the most important practical changes are the fee adjustments, while the wider data-collection proposal remains under review. Let’s explore the complete application journey.
Understanding the ESTA Application 2026: What’s New This Year
On 10 December 2025 CBP published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comment on a proposed expansion of the ESTA application. The comment period closed on 9 February 2026. The U.S. Embassy in France has confirmed that the proposal is not in effect, that any new requirements will be formally announced in the Federal Register before implementation, and that travellers should continue to follow the existing ESTA procedures. The proposal would add:
- Social media identifiers from the last 5 years as a mandatory field (today the field is optional)
- Wider family member data (names of parents, spouse, siblings and children, with their dates and places of birth, residences and phone numbers)
- Submission solely through the ESTA Mobile app, with the website kept for information
- Phone numbers used in the last 5 years and email addresses used in the last 10 years
- Further “high value” data fields and biometrics “when feasible”
What has changed in force is the fee: since 16 October 2026 the ESTA fee is $40.62, following the DHS inflation adjustment published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026 (91 FR 62534). Gather every document you need before you start—that is how you avoid delays and refusals.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility for ESTA Application 2026
Before you invest any time here, confirm that you’re eligible. Not every nationality qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program. Certain criminal records or past immigration violations also disqualify applicants outright. Check the following:
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be from a VWP country (42 eligible countries) | Check country list |
| Passport | Valid biometric passport with machine-readable zone | Required |
| Purpose | Tourism, business, or transit only (not work/study) | Required |
| Stay Duration | Maximum 90 days per visit | Required |
| Criminal History | No felonies or security-related convictions | Disqualifying if yes |
If you’re ineligible for ESTA, you must instead apply for a traditional visitor visa (B1/B2). Check your country against the official State Department VWP list before you go any further; the travel.state.gov Visa Waiver Program page lists all 42 participating countries.
Step 2: Choose the Official ESTA Website or the ESTA Mobile App
You can apply on the official ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) or through the official ESTA Mobile app. When CBP launched the app, it confirmed that the website continues to service ESTA applications. Moving to app-only submission is part of the December 2025 proposal and has not been implemented.
If you choose the app, download it in a few quick steps:
- Open the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
- Search for “ESTA Mobile”
- Download the official app published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Install and open the application
- Follow the on-screen steps to start a new application
Importantly, use only the official government website or app and avoid third-party imposters. Copycat sites and apps can harvest your personal data or charge inflated fees.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents and Information
Prepare everything in advance so the process runs smoothly. Inaccurate answers cause delays or refusal, so accuracy matters. Gather the following items:
Personal Identity Documents:
- Valid biometric passport (machine-readable)
- Passport number, issue date, and expiration date
- Full legal name exactly as shown on your passport
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality and citizenship status
Contact Information:
- Current email address
- Phone number currently in use
- Residential address
- An emergency point of contact
A five-year phone number history is not part of the current form. It is one of the fields CBP proposed in its December 2025 notice, which has not been implemented.
Step 4: Social Media Identifiers (Currently Optional)
The ESTA form has included a social media question since 2016, when CBP introduced it as an optional data field. It is still optional on the live form. Under the December 2025 proposal, applicants would have to provide their social media from the last 5 years; the U.S. Embassy in France has confirmed this requirement is not yet in effect. If you decide to fill in the field, the form asks for the platform and your username, for example:
- X (Twitter)
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Other platforms you use
Whatever you decide, answer consistently and truthfully. Information you give anywhere on the form should match your passport and any other records you present at the border.
Step 5: Prepare Your Family Member Information
The current ESTA form asks for your parents’ names, as listed in the DHS system of records notice for ESTA. Have the following ready:
Family details on the current form:
- Mother: full name
- Father: full name
If you don’t know a parent’s name, the form allows you to indicate that. The wider family data in the December 2025 proposal (spouse, siblings and children, with dates and places of birth, residences and phone numbers) is not required unless and until CBP announces it in the Federal Register. Double-check spellings before you submit.
Step 6: Document Your Employment Information
The form asks about your employment, and CBP’s records cover current and previous employer information. Prepare the following:
For your current position, provide:
- Employer name and address
- Job title and position
- Employment start date
- Primary work responsibilities
- Business sector or industry
Have details of any previous employer to hand too, with dates and employer details. If you’re unemployed or retired, answer the employment question accordingly.
Step 7: Complete Your Travel Itinerary
CBP wants details about your planned trip to the United States. Map out your travel plans before you submit. A detailed itinerary strengthens the whole application. Provide the following:
- Intended arrival date in the USA
- Port of entry (airport or border crossing where you’ll arrive)
- Cities and states you plan to visit
- Accommodation details (hotel names, addresses, or contact information)
- Approximate departure date from the USA
- Primary purpose of travel (tourism, business, transit)
- Name and contact of any sponsor or host in the USA (if applicable)
Importantly, your itinerary should fit within the 90-day maximum stay ESTA allows. Misrepresenting your purpose or plans can get the application denied. Be honest and precise about what you intend to do.
Step 8: Answer Security and Background Questions
The form includes a set of eligibility questions on security and background. Answer every one completely and honestly. Dishonest answers about criminal history, immigration violations, or security matters can lead to refusal and possible legal trouble. Key questions include:
- Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?
- Have you ever been denied entry to any country?
- Have you overstayed a visa in any country?
- Do you have any communicable diseases?
- Have you engaged in terrorist activities or supported extremism?
- Have you ever violated immigration law?
- Do you have substance abuse or trafficking convictions?
- Are you involved in espionage or illegal weapons trafficking?
Answer them with complete honesty. CBP checks applications against its own databases, so any inconsistency can lead to refusal.
Step 9: Submit Your ESTA Application 2026 and Pay the Fee
Once you’ve gathered everything and answered the security questions, review it all for accuracy. Check your passport details, dates, family names, and contact information twice before submission. Payment is the final step. Since 16 October 2026 the fee is $40.62 ($17 + $10.62 + $13), as set out in the Federal Register notice of 1 October 2026 (91 FR 62534); it was $40.27 from 1 January to 15 October 2026. Payment is made online using:
- Visa credit or debit card
- MasterCard credit or debit card
- American Express
- Discover Card
- PayPal
Importantly, if your application is denied you are charged only the $10.62 cost-recovery portion, and that amount is not refunded. The website and app show a full summary of your information before you pay. Read that summary line by line before completing the transaction. Once submitted, key details such as your name and passport number cannot be edited—so accuracy is essential.
Step 10: Check Your ESTA Application 2026 Status
After you submit, CBP typically processes applications within 72 hours, though most approvals land within minutes. Check your status regularly on the website or in the app. You’ll also get email confirmation of your submission.
During processing, your application may show one of these statuses:
- Application Pending: Under review by CBP officials
- Additional Information Needed: CBP may contact you for clarification on specific details
- Application Approved: Your ESTA is valid immediately and you can travel
- Application Denied: You are not eligible for ESTA; B1/B2 visa is required
- Application Pending Administrative Review: Extra scrutiny due to your background or responses
Monitor your inbox for any CBP messages and reply promptly if more information is requested.
Processing Time and What to Expect
Processing time varies with your circumstances. Apply well ahead of your planned travel date. Most applications clear within minutes, but some are pulled for manual review. CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before you travel. Typical timelines:
- Standard approval: Minutes to 24 hours
- Administrative review: 1-7 days
- Manual background check: 7-30 days
- Denial (requiring B1/B2 visa): Varies by visa processing center
Never book flights or accommodation until your ESTA is approved. Build the processing window into your travel planning. Apply as early as you can to leave room for any extra review.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESTA Application 2026
Can I apply for ESTA application 2026 on a website instead of the mobile app?
Yes. You can apply on the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov or through the official ESTA Mobile app. App-only submission is part of CBP’s December 2025 proposal and is not in effect.
What information is most commonly rejected in ESTA application 2026?
Inaccurate passport information, criminal history omissions, and answers that are inconsistent with other records are common reasons for delays and refusals.
If I’m denied once, can I apply again for ESTA application 2026?
Yes, you can reapply once you’ve fixed the reason for the initial denial. Even so, many denials ultimately mean pursuing a B1/B2 visitor visa instead.
How long is ESTA valid after approval from ESTA application 2026?
ESTA is valid for 2 years from the approval date, allowing unlimited trips to the USA during that period (maximum 90 days per visit).
What if my personal information changes after I submit ESTA application 2026?
You cannot modify an approved ESTA. If significant details change (name, passport number), you must apply for a new authorization.
Do children need separate ESTA application 2026 approvals?
Yes, every person traveling to the USA must have their own ESTA application 2026, including infants and children. Each requires separate payment.
Can I apply for ESTA application 2026 on behalf of family members?
Yes, an adult can complete applications on behalf of children or other family members. Each traveller still needs their own ESTA and their own fee.
What if I entered the wrong passport number in my ESTA application 2026?
An ESTA with the wrong passport number is not valid for that passport, so you will need to submit a new application with the correct details.
Summary: Complete Your ESTA Application 2026 Successfully
The 2026 process stays manageable with proper preparation. Gathering every required detail before you start is what makes the application go smoothly. Honesty and accuracy are paramount—any mismatch with government records can lead to refusal. Use the official website or the official app, pay the current $40.62 fee, and submit well ahead of your travel date. Any change to the form will be announced in the Federal Register before it applies.
For additional resources and information about ESTA requirements, visit ESTA requirements, explore our application guide, and review the ESTA cost details. For a guide tailored to your passport, consult our country-specific guides. For official rules, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or the U.S. Department of State.
Related ESTA and USA Travel Guides
For more context on ESTA, the Visa Waiver Program, and practical US travel tips, explore these related guides from our library. Each one adds country-specific details, process walkthroughs, and cost breakdowns to what you’ve read here.
- New Zealand ESTA guide
- Singaporean ESTA guide
- Danish ESTA guide
- Taiwanese ESTA information
- Estonian ESTA information
- ESTA for US transit
- Japanese ESTA information
Last updated: October 2026. Information verified against official CBP and DHS sources.
