When should ESTA be done?

[MarkUK]

Do ours a few months before we fly.

[RickT]

we just renew ours when they are due.

[arabella]

booked on the 3rd April this year for November 2020, I completed my esta on the 8th, a bit late, however when i went into the virgin store it was just to price up not book up.
when i go in November there will still be 5 months on it and when i go again will do another. there would be a bit of a panic if had paid all that money and the USA refused to let me in!

[candycat75]

I do mine the same day I book the holiday but I typically book last minute trips!

[Bonjovi]

I have just completed mine 10 weeks before we go as I thought that gave me enough time should there be an issue.

[loves2plan]

Originally Posted by Bonjovi

I have just completed mine 10 weeks before we go as I thought that gave me enough time should there be an issue.

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There can often be a 6 month+ wait for embassy appointments if there is a problem. Glad you're all sorted though

[sam67]

We're not going till next year but did them a few weeks ago just so i could tick them off the to do list.

[Mrs Valentine]

ASAP, why have the worry for the sake of £14 when you have spent thousands on the holiday. Who needs the worry. Just get them and put copies in your holiday folder.

[Andybear]

I agree with others on here. Better to spend $14 on another ESTA if you go again after the other one runs out than not go on the first holiday and lose thousands of pounds because of not doing it in time. I booked my September 2018 trip in April 2017 and got the ESTA the day I received the confirmation. It was nearly 18 months before the trip but I didn't want to spend any more money before getting it. I got one use out of it but at that price I didn't care.

[cornishfrogboy]

I did mine today and with around 86 days to go. Obviously, they are valid for 2 years.

This makes sense to us because it means that it will still be valid in Easter of 2021 and we generally prefer Easter, yet gives me sufficient time to apply for a visa in the event that there is a snag.

I guess that you must look at how many uses you may get out of it for your money, whilst giving time to iron out a snag should there be one.

Either way, 4 x $14 = £44 investment. Not a great amount in the scale of a USA vacation, so I fully understand why many get it before booking anything that they cannot cancel.

Hope it helps.