Short answers, each checked against the official sources listed at the end.
How much does ESTA cost?
The official fee is $40.62: $10.62 for processing every application and $30.00 more if it is approved.
How long is ESTA valid?
Two years from approval or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Brunei passports get one year at most. It covers multiple trips.
How long can I stay?
90 days or less on each visit under the Visa Waiver Program.
Do children need ESTA?
Yes. Accompanied and unaccompanied children of any age need their own approved ESTA and their own passport.
Do I need ESTA for a connecting flight?
Yes. Visa Waiver Program citizens need ESTA or a visa even when only transiting the United States.
I have a new passport. Is my ESTA still valid?
No. A new passport requires a new application and a new fee.
What can I change after approval?
Only your email address and your address in the United States.
Do I have to print it?
No. Airlines receive your status electronically. CBP recommends keeping a printout for your own records.
My ESTA expires during my trip. Is that a problem?
No. It has to be valid when you arrive in the United States.
Can ESTA be extended?
No. It cannot be extended or renewed. You submit a new application.
My application was denied. Can I apply again?
If nothing has changed, a new application will also be denied. The official route is a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate.
Is a refund possible?
If you are denied you are charged only the $10.62 processing fee, not the $30.00 authorization fee.
I visited Cuba. Can I use ESTA?
Not if you were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, with limited exceptions. You need a visa.
Longer explanations: what ESTA is, how to apply, cost and validity, ESTA or visa.
Sources
Checked on 13 November 2026. Rules can change; the official pages below always take priority.