Election day in the US, but defection for travelers heading to Uncle Sam’s country after a breakdown in the ESTA system.
This Wednesday morning, while the whole world was waiting for the result of the American presidential election, many travelers were waiting to board their flights to the United States, not without difficulty…
As reported by the British daily The Independent, a breakdown in the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) affected many travelers at international airports today.
The temporary paralysis of this system, essential for nationals of 42 countries seeking to enter the US without a visa, has generated frustration and confusion.
“What a sad day to travel to the US”
On social networks, travelers shared their exasperation and didn’t fail to make the connection between this breakdown of the ESTA system and the election of the 47th American president, namely Donald Trump. Selected excerpts:
- “Trumps been president for about ten minutes and the US immigration ESTA system is down. Heathrow is carnage!”, @ginasherpa on X.
- “As if the bleakest of days to travel to the US couldn’t get any bleaker – ESTA system is down and we’re all stuck at Heathrow looking at each other in confusion”, @BenJamesDoyle on X.
- “So DHS systems are down and they can’t validate the Esta’s electronically which means every passenger for the flights to USA is now queuing to see the few remaining check in staff who have to phone DHS for each passenger to get them manually validated!”, Steve Waller on Facebook.
- “Trying to travel to New York from Brussels but the ESTA system is down and cannot check in. Waiting here for an hour. Hope this is not election related”, @KIIWAKII on X.
- “What a sad day to travel to the US. Coincidence or not, the ESTA (visa) system is down, stuck at Lisbon airport not allowed to board the plane to Philadelphia”, @cardosopmb on X.
The majority of these travelers were able to board their flights to the United States after several hours of difficulty and uncertainty.
ESTA system maintenance was scheduled for today
This malfunction of the U.S. electronic travel authorization system is due to maintenance on the ESTA website, which was expected to impact applicants only.
“The ESTA website and the mobile app will be down for scheduled maintenance on November 6, 2024, from 02:00 AM to 04:00 AM EST. You will not be able to apply during this time,” the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced.
Maintenance of the system appears to be complete, with the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov now accessible and fully functional.
ESTA is a system set up by the US government for travelers wishing to enter the country without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
ESTA allows citizens of 42 eligible countries, including European states, to apply online for a travel authorization before their departure, which costs US$21.
The system checks travelers’ identity and security details to ensure that they pose no risk, before granting entry for a tourist or business stay of up to 90 days. The ESTA is valid for 2 years and allows multiple trips to the United States.
Although ESTA facilitates visa-free entry, it does not guarantee admission to the United States, which remains at the discretion of immigration officials upon arrival.
