Validity
ESTA validity: how long is the travel authorisation valid?
Last checked: · Sources: CBP, DHS, Federal Register
An approved ESTA does not apply to a single travel date but to a period of time – and that period can end in two ways. Here you can read what the US authority CBP says about it, how validity differs from the length of stay and when you have to apply again even though your authorisation is still running.
The basic rule: two years or until your passport expires
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ESTA authorisations are generally issued for two years or until the passport expires – whichever comes first. The exact end date is stated in the authorisation itself.
An example: if your passport expires in 14 months, your ESTA also ends then at the latest, not after 24 months. USAGov describes it the same way: if your passport expires in less than two years, you receive an authorisation until your passport’s expiry date. A new passport therefore always means a new ESTA as well (more on this in the guide ESTA and passport).
Validity is not the permitted length of stay
Two figures are often confused: the validity of the authorisation and the length of a single stay.
| Term | Meaning | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA validity | Period during which the authorisation can be used for travel under the Visa Waiver Program | up to 2 years or until passport expiry |
| Stay per entry | How long you may stay per entry under the Visa Waiver Program | 90 days at most |
| Admission decision | Inspection by border officers on arrival | Case-by-case decision by CBP |
Several entries are possible within the validity period; each individual stay is limited to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, according to USAGov you need a visa, which you apply for at a US embassy or consulate before your trip.
What happens if your ESTA expires during your trip?
ESTA is an authorisation for entry or boarding. If it expires while you are already in the United States, under the way the programme works you generally do not need to apply for a new one in order to leave; however, you must leave within the permitted 90 days. For every further entry after the end date, you need a new authorisation.
This matters for multiple trips: if your outbound flight is after the end date, your ESTA will already have expired at that point. CBP’s FAQ deals with this case explicitly; check the current wording there before you plan with little margin.
When you must apply again although your old ESTA is still valid
According to CBP, a new authorisation is required if …
- you have been issued a new passport,
- your name has changed,
- your citizenship has changed, or
- the circumstances underlying one of your yes/no answers in the application have changed.
The fee is charged again for every new application. How applying again works in practice is explained in the guide renewing or extending ESTA; smaller corrections are covered in changing ESTA details.
Checking the end date and status
The end date is stated in the authorisation. You can look up the current status on the CBP website with your application number – the steps are described in the guide checking your ESTA status. If you applied through us, you will also find the authorisation and all correspondence in your customer account.
Would you like to prepare a new ESTA? Start your application, view our prices including the CBP fee or read the frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is an ESTA valid?
- Generally two years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. The exact end date is stated in the authorisation.
- Can CBP revoke a valid ESTA?
- Yes. The published DHS documents state that a new application during the validity period is generally not necessary as long as the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program are still met and the authorisation is not revoked.
- Is my ESTA valid with a different passport?
- No. The authorisation is tied to the passport with which it was applied for. According to CBP, every traveller needs an approved ESTA for exactly the passport they are travelling with.
- How often can I enter the US with one ESTA?
- Several entries are possible within the validity period. Each stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days, and every entry remains a separate decision by the border officers.
You will find more answers in the ESTA FAQ.
Sources and date
Checked on 4 October 2026. The information is based on the following government sources. Rules and fees can change; the current publication by CBP is decisive. This article is general information and not legal or immigration advice.
Next steps
Prepare your application, compare prices or keep reading – the decision is always made by CBP.