Cancel Your ESTA Application
Understand the cancellation process, eligibility, and what happens to your travel authorization
ESTA Application Cancellation Guide
There are various reasons why a traveler might consider canceling their ESTA application. Perhaps your travel plans have changed, you no longer need to visit the United States, or you submitted an application with incorrect information and need to start fresh. This guide provides complete information about the cancellation process, what happens after cancellation, and how it affects your future travel authorization applications.
Understanding ESTA Cancellation
It is important to understand that once an ESTA has been approved, it cannot be technically "canceled" in the traditional sense through the authorization system. An approved ESTA remains linked to your passport until it expires naturally (after two years) or until your passport expires. However, you are under no obligation to use your approved authorization. If your travel plans change, you can simply choose not to travel — there are no penalties for having an unused ESTA. The authorization will expire on its own when the validity period ends, and it will not affect your ability to apply for future travel authorizations or visas.
When You Might Want to Cancel
While the ESTA itself cannot be revoked by the applicant, there are situations where you might want to invalidate your current authorization. The most common scenario is when you submitted an application with incorrect information — in this case, rather than attempting to cancel, you should submit a new application with the correct information. The new application will supersede the previous one. Another scenario involves travelers who have experienced a change in circumstances that might affect their eligibility — such as a change in citizenship, a new passport, or a change in the answers to eligibility questions. In all of these cases, the appropriate action is to submit a new application rather than attempting to cancel the existing one.
What Happens After You Stop Using Your ESTA
If you decide not to use your approved ESTA, several things to understand: Your authorization will continue to exist in the system until its expiration date. Having an unused ESTA does not create any negative records or flags in immigration databases. You can apply for a new ESTA at any time — the new application will go through the standard review process regardless of your existing authorization status. If you need to travel to the U.S. later within the validity period, your original ESTA remains valid and usable. There is no benefit to attempting to cancel an authorization you simply do not plan to use.
Troubleshooting Cancellation Scenarios
I submitted my application with wrong passport details
Submit a new ESTA application with the correct passport information. The system will process the new application independently. Once approved, use the new authorization for your travel. The incorrect application will eventually expire on its own.
I no longer want to travel to the United States
No action is required. Simply do not travel. Your ESTA will expire naturally after two years or when your passport expires. There are no penalties or consequences for not using an approved authorization.
I want a refund for my application
Refund eligibility depends on the stage of your application and the specific circumstances. Please refer to our Refund Policy page for complete details about refund criteria, timelines, and the request process. Our support team can assist you with refund-related inquiries.
My circumstances have changed since I applied
If changes in your personal circumstances affect the answers you provided on your ESTA application, you should submit a new application reflecting your current situation. Traveling on an ESTA that no longer accurately represents your circumstances can have serious consequences at immigration.
Need to Submit a New Application?
Starting fresh is simple. Our guided process ensures your new application is accurate and complete.
Start Your ESTA Application