ESTA processing delays?

[EvenG 6]

My kids are about to visit from Sweden to the US, aged 8 and 11. They hold Norwegian passports, as do I. They are supposed to fly from Copenhagen on the 29th as Unaccompanied Minors (UM), and I applied for ESTA for them yesterday (the 26th). Every time I've applied for ESTA, which they've both had before, it's always taken an hour max. This time it's been 28 hours since I applied, and no action.

 

I got the receipt page, which I printed, and the application still says Authorization Pending. Is this normal? Is this due to Covid? Or due to the fact that I live here in the US now, on a Green Card? I've never seen this take this long before, so I'm kinda freaking out as this is the first time the kids are coming to the US in 2 years, and they are super excited (I've only gone to see them in Scandinavia before).

 

Side note: What strikes me as odd is that it says "Payment received" and my credit card has two pending charges of $14. However, on their receipt webpage the payment received date, transaction number, etc is all blank. This is for both applications. Is this normal? Could I have hit a technical snafoo where the payment system didn't talk to the application processing system, and as such the application is stuck in some kind of limbo. Coming from the IT industry, something like that wouldn't be the first time... Thoughts?

 

I live in the states on a Green Card, which we're waiting on removal of conditions. I have an I-797 issued, 24 mo. expiry extension.

[millefleur 5,046]

It says "A determination will be available within 72 hours" so maybe just keep waiting...? It doesn't seem payment related to me.

[EvenG 6]

Sorry, I'm aware it states on the website that processing can take up to 72 hours. I've never, ever seen this happen in reality though - it's always been done within a couple of hours max. That's why I'm worried, and wondering if anyone else has seen anything like this. Sorry for not being clear about this.

[millefleur 5,046]

52 minutes ago, EvenG said:

Sorry, I'm aware it states on the website that processing can take up to 72 hours. I've never, ever seen this happen in reality though - it's always been done within a couple of hours max. That's why I'm worried, and wondering if anyone else has seen anything like this. Sorry for not being clear about this.

Found this: "If you apply for an ESTA on the weekend, you may expect the application to be processed within 72 hours or three days."

https://travelila.com/processing-time-of-an-esta-application/

 

Maybe it's something as simple as that. Hopefully you will get an approval soon.

[EvenG 6]

34 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Found this: "If you apply for an ESTA on the weekend, you may expect the application to be processed within 72 hours or three days."

https://travelila.com/processing-time-of-an-esta-application/

 

Maybe it's something as simple as that. Hopefully you will get an approval soon.

You know, you were absolutely right! I forgot it was the weekend yesterday - that must have been why it took extra time. I checked lots of times today, and yes.. now both applications are finally approved! Around 29 hours after submission. Covid travel is nerve-wrecking. Especially when you haven't seen someone in a long time, and it could all hinge on a single piece of paper.

 

Thank you so much for helping to calm my nerves, millefleur. Spasibo!

 

 

PS: If anyone else finds this post at some time, I wanted to say that when the payment details are missing, it doesn't mean a thing.. It is now updated with information and shows as being paid today at 3:34pm (even though I did the payment and my credit card was charged yesterday). All three fields were blank until the application was finally approved. Not sure why this doesn't show earlier, as the fee is non-refundable. Just thought I'd share this in case someone is wondering the same thing.

Edited December 27, 2021 by EvenG

[millefleur 5,046]

1 minute ago, EvenG said:

Thank you so much for helping to calm my nerves, millefleur. Spasibo!

I'm glad I could help! I know next to nothing about ESTA but now I know that if you apply on the weekend, you'll get a delay.