What is an ESTA and do I need one?

An ESTA allows you to travel to America without a visa. It lets you visit the US for up to 90 days - either for a holiday or a business trip.

It’s part of the USA’s Visa Waiver Program. This lets citizens from 42 countries, including the UK, visit the US without a visa.

It’s required before you travel, so you’ll need to apply for it before you leave. Unless you have a valid ESTA or visa, you won’t be allowed to enter the country.

It’s also important to think about travel insurance before you go. Tesco Travel Insurance can help protect you against issues like:

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.

An ESTA isn’t a visa - it’s a travel authorisation. So, it doesn’t meet the same legal requirements. It’s designed for short trips of up to 90 days to the US only.

A visa is a formal travel document. You’ll need it for longer stays, like work or studying.

If you already have a valid visa for America, you don’t need to apply for an ESTA.

You’ll need an ESTA if:

You’ll need a valid UK passport to apply for an ESTA.

If you're a dual citizen of the US and a Visa Waiver Program country then you don't need an ESTA to visit, but you must travel with your US passport to travel to or from the USA.

It’s important to remember, getting an ESTA doesn’t guarantee entry into the US. It only confirms you’re ‘eligible to travel’. You’ll still need to be approved by US Customs and Border Protection to enter the country.

If you’re from the UK, it’s best to check the Government’s foreign travel advice for the USA before you go. And give yourself plenty of time to get everything you need - including your travel insurance.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, you can choose worldwide cover for the United States. Having the right cover can help to protect you if something goes wrong on your trip.

Keep in mind, healthcare can be expensive in the US. And there’s no equivalent to the NHS. So, having travel insurance can help you if the unexpected happens.

You can learn more about why you might need travel insurance in our guide - Do I need travel insurance?

Children of any age, including babies, need an ESTA to visit the US. So, if you’re taking your kids with you on your trip, you’ll need to fill out an application for them.

They’ll also need a valid passport of their own to qualify for an ESTA. Kids listed on a parent’s passport aren’t eligible for an ESTA.

The only exception is if your child has dual citizenship with the US and a Visa Waiver Program country. Like adults, they won’t need an ESTA to visit but do need a valid US passport to enter the country.

You can apply for an ESTA for one person or a group of 2 or more people. It’s all done online - simply follow these steps.

1. You can apply for an ESTA online - ESTA application - Department of Homeland Security. You can start a new application or continue an existing one. You can also apply on your mobile phone or tablet with the ESTA app.

2. You’ll need a valid passport to apply. You’ll also need to provide your address, email, phone number and emergency contact details.

3. You might also need to provide some extra information. For example, your employer’s address or a selfie to prove your identity.

4. You might need to provide the name and address of where you’ll be staying in the US, too. You can add or amend this at a later date.

5. Pay the ESTA application fee and submit. As of 30th September 2025, it’s $40.27 - find out more about this below. You’ll need to pay by credit or debit card, or PayPal.

The application will take about 20 minutes in total. And you can save it and come back later if you need to.

Once you’ve submitted your ESTA application, it can take up to 72 hours to get a decision. However, many applications are accepted or rejected instantly.

Be sure to keep a note of your application number, so you can check your ESTA status or update any details.

Because it can take up to 72 hours for a decision, you should apply at least 3 days before your trip. But the sooner you do it, the better.

You don’t need to print your ESTA, but it can be useful to have. You don’t need to show it at Border Protection, but some airlines might need to see it when you check in.

Otherwise, screenshot your confirmation or keep your application number handy. You can always log in to check your ESTA status and show this, if you need to.

Once you’ve been approved, an ESTA is valid for 2 years. Or until your passport expires - whichever comes first.

You can make multiple trips to America during this time, as long as each visit is no longer than 90 days. So, you don’t need to apply for a new ESTA every time you go.

Our Travel Insurance options include Annual Multi Trip cover. So, if you’re planning several trips to the US in a year, this might be right for you.

You can choose from 3 levels of cover:

or

You can learn more about the different types of Travel Insurance in our guide - Which travel insurance is best for me?

You can check the status of your ESTA online at the Department of Homeland Security. Or you can do it on the ESTA app.

You’ll need your:

If your ESTA application’s approved, you’ll see the status and when it runs out.

If your ESTA application wasn’t approved, you might be able to apply for a non-immigrant visa instead.

This usually means booking an appointment at a US Embassy and visiting in person. So, be sure to give yourself enough time to submit your ESTA application in case this happens.

Once your ESTA expires, you’ll need to submit a new application to get another one.

As of 30 September 2025, the cost of an ESTA had increased from $21 to $40.27 per person. That’s around £30 each. The price is the same for each person, whether you’re applying for an adult or child.

If your application’s not approved, you’ll only have to pay a $10 processing fee.

Be wary of third-party sites claiming to submit your ESTA application for you. They’re not affiliated with the US government. And they’ll often charge you much more than the official cost.

If you do use one of these sites, check your application number is valid on the official website before you travel.

Find out how to manage your policy, get help in a medical emergency or make a claim.

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).

You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.