ESTA Group & Family Application: Complete Guide 2026

Can You Apply for ESTA as a Group?

Yes, you can absolutely apply for ESTA as a group or family. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows multiple individuals to submit ESTA applications together, making it convenient for families, travel groups, and organized tours planning to visit the United States. The CBP website supports group applications, though each person must have their own separate ESTA authorization.

The key distinction is that while group applications are possible, each applicant requires an individual ESTA. You cannot obtain a single ESTA that covers multiple people. However, the CBP's group application feature allows one person to submit applications for up to 50 family members or group members simultaneously, streamlining the process considerably. This is particularly useful for families traveling together or tour operators organizing group trips.

How Group ESTA Applications Work on the CBP Website

The CBP website has integrated group application functionality that differs from individual applications. When applying for an ESTA group, one designated person (typically a family member, tour operator, or trip organizer) acts as the principal applicant and manages the group submission. This principal applicant enters their own information first, then adds additional applicants to the group.

The group feature allows you to add up to 50 people in a single submission. Each person's information is entered separately into the system, and each person receives their own ESTA authorization number once approved. The advantage is that you only need to navigate the application process once and submit all the information together, rather than submitting 10, 15, or 20 individual applications separately.

Payment is also streamlined. While each person has an individual ESTA with its own processing fee, you can pay for the entire group's applications in one transaction. The total cost is calculated based on the number of applicants: if you're applying for five family members, you'll pay for five separate ESTA authorizations. This is discussed in detail in the cost section below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Group ESTA Application

Follow these steps to successfully submit a group ESTA application through the CBP website:

Step 1: Visit the Official CBP ESTA Website — Navigate to the official Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) portal at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. This is the only official government source; be cautious of third-party websites that claim to be official but charge inflated fees.

Step 2: Select Group Application Option — Rather than starting an individual application, look for the "Apply for a group" or "Group Application" option on the homepage. This directs you to the group submission interface where you can manage multiple applicants efficiently.

Step 3: Enter Principal Applicant Information — Start by providing your personal information as the principal applicant. This includes your full name, passport number (exactly as it appears in your passport), date of birth, passport expiration date, nationality, and contact details. Double-check every field for accuracy; errors here can delay processing.

Step 4: Answer Security Questions — The principal applicant must answer all mandatory security questions regarding health conditions, criminal history, and immigration violations. These questions are the same for all ESTA applications and must be answered honestly.

Step 5: Add Additional Applicants — Once you've entered the principal applicant's information, the system prompts you to add more people. Click "Add Another Applicant" and enter each person's details. You can add up to 49 additional people, for a total of 50 applicants per group submission.

Step 6: Review All Information — Before submitting, carefully review every applicant's information. Verify spelling of names, passport numbers, dates of birth, and all security question responses. Errors are a common cause of delays and denials.

Step 7: Submit and Make Payment — Submit the entire group application and proceed to payment. You'll be asked to pay the ESTA authorization fee for each applicant. The standard fee is $14 USD per person. If you're applying for a group of 8 people, the total will be $112 USD ($14 × 8).

Step 8: Receive Confirmation and Track Status — After submission, you'll receive a confirmation number for the group application. You can use this confirmation number to check the status of all applicants' ESTA authorizations. Each person also receives an individual authorization number once their ESTA is approved.

Applying for Children and Minors

Children and minors can apply for ESTA just like adults, and they're often included in family group applications. The process for minors is virtually identical to that for adults, with a few important considerations.

First, minors must have a valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country. The passport doesn't need to be an adult passport — many countries issue child passports that are valid for 5 years rather than the standard 10 years for adults. The passport number and expiration date must be entered exactly as shown in the passport.

Second, in many countries, a parent or legal guardian must be present to authorize the application for a minor. On the CBP website, the principal applicant (often a parent) can submit applications for minor children and declare themselves as the guardian. Some countries have specific rules about parental consent for minors' travel documents, so verify your country's requirements before submitting.

Third, ensure the minor's information is accurate. A common mistake is entering the child's name differently than it appears in their passport (for example, using a nickname instead of the full legal name). The name must match exactly what's in their passport for the ESTA to be valid.

Finally, minors' ESTA authorizations are valid for the same two-year period as adults. An ESTA obtained when a child is 5 years old will remain valid for two years, but it's crucial that the minor's passport doesn't expire during this period. If the passport expires before the ESTA does, the ESTA becomes invalid. When the child's passport is renewed, a new ESTA will need to be obtained if they'll be traveling to the US after the original ESTA expires.

What Information Is Needed Per Person

Each applicant in a group ESTA application must provide specific information. Here's what you need to have available for every person in your group:

• Full Legal Name — Exactly as it appears in the person's passport (first, middle, and last names)
• Passport Number — The unique nine-digit number found on the passport biographical page
• Passport Issue and Expiration Dates — The date the passport was issued and the date it expires
• Date of Birth — In the format MM/DD/YYYY
• Nationality — The country that issued the passport
• Gender — Male or Female as listed in the passport
• Email Address — A current email address for each applicant (or group members can share one for convenience)
• Phone Number — A contact phone number for each applicant
• Mailing Address — Current address where each person can receive correspondence
• Travel Plans — Expected arrival date in the US and planned length of stay
• Security Questions Responses — Answers regarding health, criminal history, immigration violations, and other background information

Having all this information prepared in advance for every group member will significantly speed up the application process. Create a spreadsheet or document with everyone's details before starting the online application, and you can move through the submission quickly.

Cost Per Person

The ESTA authorization fee is standardized by the US government at $14 USD per person. This fee applies whether you're applying as an individual or as part of a group. It's important to note that this $14 fee is for the travel authorization itself; some service providers may charge additional processing or convenience fees.

When submitting a group ESTA application, the total cost is straightforward: multiply the number of applicants by $14. Here are some examples:

• Family of 4 (parents + 2 children): 4 × $14 = $56 USD
• Family of 6: 6 × $14 = $84 USD
• Tour group of 25: 25 × $14 = $350 USD
• Family of 10: 10 × $14 = $140 USD

The CBP accepts payment via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) and debit card. Payment must be made in US dollars. The fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted to the government system, though some service providers may offer different refund policies if they process your application before government submission.

Can One Person Pay for the Whole Group?

Yes, absolutely. One person can pay for all applicants' ESTA authorizations in a group application. This is one of the advantages of the group application feature — the principal applicant can cover the costs for the entire family or group. You don't need separate payment methods or multiple transactions.

During the payment step of the CBP group application process, you'll enter payment information once, and the system will charge the card for all applicants in the group. For example, if you're the parent applying for yourself, your spouse, and three children, you enter your payment information once and it's charged for all five ESTA authorizations ($70 total).

This arrangement is convenient for family applications where one family member (typically a parent or designated organizer) manages all logistics. For tour operators or group organizers, one person from the organization can submit and pay for all participants. There's no requirement that each person pay for their own ESTA — the system is flexible in this regard.

What If One Person in the Group Is Denied?

If one person in your group application receives a denial while others are approved, don't panic. A denial for one person doesn't affect the others' applications. Each ESTA authorization is independent, and each person is evaluated individually against CBP criteria.

Common reasons for group member denials include:

• Information errors or mismatches between the application and the passport
• Previous visa denials to the United States
• Security or criminal background concerns
• Providing false or misleading information on the application
• Health-related grounds of ineligibility

If someone in your group is denied, you have options. First, if the denial was due to a clerical error, they can reapply with corrected information. The CBP allows reapplication after a denial. Second, if the denial was due to security or background issues, they'll need to apply for a traditional B1/B2 visa through a US embassy or consulate, which involves a more detailed vetting process and typically includes an in-person interview.

Important: A denial notification will specify the reason. Read it carefully to understand what led to the refusal. Do not reapply immediately with the same information expecting a different outcome. Address the underlying issue first. GoVisa can help you understand denial reasons and advise on next steps.

Tips for Family ESTA Applications

Prepare Documentation in Advance — Gather all family members' passports and verify current information before starting the application. Ensure all passports are valid and won't expire during your intended US travel period.

Use One Email Address for Simplicity — While each person can have their own email, using one family email address for the group application allows you to receive all updates and notifications in one place. You can forward specific approval information to individual family members afterward.

Double-Check Names Spelling — A very common error is entering names differently than they appear in passports. Nicknames, abbreviated names, or alternative spellings will cause problems. Copy and paste directly from the passport to ensure accuracy.

Verify Passport Numbers and Expiration Dates — Transcription errors with passport numbers are frequent. Read the number aloud while entering it to catch mistakes. Check expiration dates carefully — the passport must be valid for at least six months after your intended return from the US.

Schedule Applications in Advance — Apply at least 2-4 weeks before your travel date. While ESTA can be approved within 24 hours, unforeseen delays can occur. Having everyone's ESTA approved well in advance eliminates last-minute stress.

Ensure All Family Members Have Passports — This might seem obvious, but confirm that every person traveling has a current, valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country. If someone's passport has recently expired, they'll need to renew it before applying for ESTA.

Be Honest on Security Questions — Each family member must answer security questions individually. Never lie or exaggerate on these questions. Misrepresentation on an ESTA application can result in denial, and potentially affect future US visa eligibility.

Common Mistakes in Group Applications

Name Mismatches — The single most common error is entering a name differently than it appears in the passport. If your passport says "Robert" but you enter "Bob," or if your passport has a middle name you normally omit, the ESTA system will flag it as a mismatch. Always copy names exactly from the passport.

Passport Number Errors — Even a single digit wrong in a 9-digit passport number causes problems. These errors are often missed during entry and discovered later when trying to use the ESTA for travel. Carefully verify each digit of every applicant's passport number.

Wrong Passport Expiration Date — Entering the issue date instead of the expiration date, or vice versa, creates problems. The expiration date is what matters for ESTA eligibility (your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay).

Incorrect Date of Birth Format — The CBP system requires specific date formatting. Entering the date in the wrong format (DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY, for example) may cause system errors or rejections. Follow the exact format requested on the application.

Submitting Too Close to Travel Date — Applying days before departure leaves no buffer for processing delays or unexpected issues. If a denial occurs and you need to apply for a visa instead, you won't have time. Apply well in advance.

Missing Information or Incomplete Fields — Rushing through the application and skipping optional fields (or misunderstanding which fields are required) causes rejections. Fill out every required field completely. If a field doesn't apply to you, the system will have options for "N/A" or "not applicable."

Answering Security Questions Dishonestly — This is the most serious error. Any false or misleading answers to security questions are grounds for denial and potential future immigration consequences. Always answer truthfully, even if you think it might hurt your chances.

Group ESTA vs. Individual Applications: Which Is Better?

For most families and groups, applying together via the group application feature is more efficient. However, there are scenarios where individual applications might make sense:

Use Group Applications When: You have 2 or more family members or group members traveling together, you want to streamline the process and pay once, you're managing travel logistics for a family or organization, and you want all applications processed on a similar timeline.

Use Individual Applications When: You're traveling alone, family or group members are traveling at different times, one person needs expedited processing while others don't, or you prefer complete independence in your application process.

The approval criteria are identical whether you apply as a group or individually. Both methods result in separate ESTA authorizations for each person. The group feature simply consolidates the administrative work.