my IA tonight is mainly caused by my husband's lack of foresight. Just thinking about our flight on Wednesday and what needs to be packed, etc... Asked if his ESTA was sorted/still valid and he said he "thought so". Double checked and it had expired. It normally is instantly approved so he said "no big, I'll just sort it out now." Well they've added a lot more questions since the whole travel ban thing (including the option to disclose any internet presence you have lol) and it now turns out that you don't get automatically get an instant approval....so his approval could take "up to 72 hours" (not enough time if it takes the max amount to process). They also apparently don't email you to tell you if it's approved or rejected....
They asked questions as well like "Do you have any physical or mental disabilities?" ....I can't understand why that would matter....I mean, I guess with mental disabilities they - at a stretch - could be concerned about somebody being psychotic and causing harm to others but the physical disability part? I don't get the point of asking... They also need the number of somebody as a point of contact. Thankfully we have my mom but what happens if you're going there on holiday and don't have somebody specific?? If you're staying in a hotel, I guess you'd put that but multiple hotels or an airbnb, what happens then?? Crossing my fingers that we don't have any issues with his ESTA. I am annoyed he didn't think to check this MUCH sooner but it's also irritating that it's no longer instant approval (which is probably a good thing I guess because - in theory - it means they are putting more into checks which is safer just less convenient for us lol). Just a bit surprised at some of the questions.
