An ESTA has two separate time limits, and they are often confused. One is how long the authorization itself lasts. The other is how long you may stay on each trip.

An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

During that period you can travel to the United States as many times as you like. You do not need a new authorization for each trip.

Each entry allows a stay of up to 90 days. This is a maximum, not an allowance you can spread out or extend.

Leaving the country briefly and coming back does not reset the clock in the way people sometimes hope. Short trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean are usually counted as part of the same visit.

Your ESTA is tied to the passport it was issued against. A new passport means a new application, even if the old authorization had time left on it.

This also applies if you change your name, your gender marker, or your country of citizenship.

Before booking, check that your passport will still be valid for your whole trip and that your ESTA covers your travel dates. Airlines check the authorization before boarding, and a passport that has been replaced since the ESTA was issued will not match.

If you are unsure whether your existing authorization still covers you, contact us with your travel dates and we will tell you whether you need a new one.