ESTA Changes & FIFA Travel: What You Need to Know Right Now
We are currently receiving urgent calls into our travel helpline from members of the public who are preparing to travel to the USA for upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures.
These are not existing clients. Our helpline was originally set up during Covid and continues to operate because travel issues like this can arise at any time and often require urgent, practical guidance.
At the moment, most enquiries relate to last-minute ESTA issues, particularly where travel is only a few days away.
There are two trends we are currently seeing — but this article focuses on the more urgent situation affecting travellers who already had an approved ESTA.
Two ESTA trends we are seeing:
New ESTA applications taking longer – some travellers applying closer to departure are seeing slightly longer processing times than usual.
However:
- Most approvals still come quickly in less than 24 hours;
- Official guidance says up to 72 hours for a decision.
Our advice is to apply for ESTA at least 12 weeks before travel, ideally before the final balance on your holiday is paid. We appreciate this may feel very unhelpful if you are reading this while dealing with an urgent World Cup departure. However, it’s an important reminder for other travellers who may have come across this article while planning trips later in the year, as it helps avoid the kind of last-minute uncertainty we are currently seeing.
Approved ESTA changing status – we are increasingly hearing from travellers (via our Helpline) who already had an Authorization Approved status finding it has changed to:
- Authorization Pending;
- Travel Not Authorized.
This is understandably very stressful, particularly when travel is imminent.
Why this may be happening
ESTA is an automated border security system that continuously checks traveller data against international security databases. This means:
- An ESTA can be re-checked at any point (even after approval);
- It remains valid for up to 2 years, but can still be revalidated;
- Status can change if a routine security check is triggered
What to do if your ESTA is pending
If it’s a new application or if it’s a previous one that’s status has changed the official advice from U.S. Customs and Border Protection is Do NOT reapply. Reapplying does not:
- Speed up the decision;
- Override an existing application;
- Improve the outcome.
It can also create unnecessary duplication at a critical time.
What we are currently seeing:
- Many pending cases resolve within 24–72 hours
- A smaller number are refused
In most cases, this is a temporary review stage, not a final decision.
The timing reality (most important section)
With travel only days away, timing is critical. If your ESTA is pending you can start a B1/B2 visa application immediately as a contingency (“insurance option”), many travellers are now doing this in parallel due to the risk that ESTA may not resolve in time for departure.
Important reality check
Even if you secure a last-minute visa appointment and are approved at interview, there is still a processing period before you can travel. Fastest timescale is 3 working days, but it can be up to ten.
This means that even a successful visa outcome may not align with imminent departure dates.
If you’re due to travel imminently
If you are reading this and are due to depart within the next few days, check your ESTA status immediately. Many travellers assume a printed “approval” is enough. However, ESTA is electronically linked to your passport.
If your status has changed to pending or not authorised, you will not be allowed to board your flight. Check your status here: ESTA Official Website.
FIFA ticket holders – contingency visa route
For those holding official FIFA World Cup tickets purchased directly from FIFA, there is a potential contingency option via the: FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS). This provides prioritised access to B1/B2 visa interview appointments for eligible ticket holders.
However:
- Appointment availability is still extremely limited at short notice
- A visa interview does not guarantee approval
- Even after approval, passport return still takes several working days (minimum 3–5, often longer)
So even a successful visa outcome may not align with imminent travel dates. More information: FIFA.com.
Important caveat
This is uncharted territory in terms of timing, volume, and traveller experience. This article is written in good faith based on real-time helpline enquiries, observed patterns, and recent direct application experience. However, U.S. immigration remains a sovereign authority operating entirely at its own discretion, and outcomes can change without notice, explanation, or consistency.