ESTA stupid question

Hello
I am travelling to the US with my daughter in a fortnight. We are both dual citizens that reside in the UK. Do we need to do this online ESTA. It's a bit confusing. All has changed since I last went to the US five years ago

Not if you are entering the US on a US passport.

Not if you are entering the US on a US passport.

And since you are both US citizens, it will be illegal for you not to enter on US passports anyway.

The ESTA is only for non-US citizens entering the US on the Visa Waiver Program.

If you have a US visa or you are a US citizen, you will not be travelling on the VWP so you do not need to do the ESTA.

I have a stupid ESTA question as well. My ESTA expires the day I return from the US.

Do I need to renew it? As I understand you can't renew, only cancel and do a new one, which is annoying o_O

I probably would do this anyway, but just wondered if it was essential or if it's only checked on entry to the USA.

Do I need to renew it? As I understand you can't renew, only cancel and do a new one, which is annoying o_O

I probably would do this anyway, but just wondered if it was essential or if it's only checked on entry to the USA.

My guess is that you probably should reapply before you go (I'm American, so I've not had to do ESTA, but you'd think that information would be logged and connected to your passport number), and you apparently don't have to wait until the date of expiry to do so:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1197/~/esta--general-esta-renewal

You do not need to wait until your ESTA expires to re-apply.  You may do so at any time before, on or after the expiration date of your existing ESTA.  Should you receive the message "A valid, approved application with more than 30 days remaining has been found for this passport. Submitting this application will require payment for this application and will then cancel the existing application." you will simply continue with the application to begin your new application.  Your prior ESTA will be cancelled and replaced with your new application.

Thank u for your excellent knowledge.  !!

My guess is that you probably should reapply before you go (I'm American, so I've not had to do ESTA, but you'd think that information would be logged and connected to your passport number), and you apparently don't have to wait until the date of expiry to do so:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1197/~/esta--general-esta-renewal

Just seems weird as it essentially cancels the old one. Oh well, not like there's a problem with my immigration history with the US, I just always freak out that it will be denied or something, but better safe than sorry

ta!

I have a stupid ESTA question as well. My ESTA expires the day I return from the US.

Do I need to renew it? As I understand you can't renew, only cancel and do a new one, which is annoying o_O

I probably would do this anyway, but just wondered if it was essential or if it's only checked on entry to the USA.

No, you don't need to renew it providing it's valid on entry - 'If your ESTA expires while in the US it will not affect your departure' from https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1126. I've done it myself and just applied for a new one next time I needed it.