5 Reasons your ESTA could be flagged and how to avoid them

America is beckoning, you’ve got your flights, itinerary, and accommodation all planned out. All that’s left is the ESTA application. It’s online, quick, and easy, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, according to Christa Byker, former U.S. visa officer and immigration insider.

“I’ve seen cases where it wasn’t immediately obvious that they were going to have problems with ESTA, but they did” – Christa Byker.

The slightest mistake can get your ESTA flagged. And a flagged ESTA can set you on a course filled with extra costs, paperwork, and the dreaded in-person embassy interview. And when it comes to U.S. bureaucracy, no one is safe…

Reason 1: typos, misunderstandings, and small mistakes

The main thing that you need to keep in mind is that the ESTA application process is mainly automated.

“It's not a subtle process… If there's any doubt, it’s flagged. Then it’s onto the visa application pile, that's the first time you're actually going to talk to a human,” Christa explains.

Unlike visa applications processed through the Department of State, ESTA goes through the Department of Homeland Security. The threshold for an application being flagged is super low. Got a question wrong because you didn’t understand it? Straight to flagged. Mispelled John as Jhon? Flagged. Incorrect date? Flagged.

✅ Tip: Our application platform is exceptionally intuitive and was created specifically to eliminate the type of mistakes that can cost you your trip.

Reason 2: Travel to countries on the U.S. naughty list

The U.S., like many other governments, has a strict policy of visiting certain countries. Currently, the list stands at 9 countries: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba. However, nations can always find their way on and off this list, so it’s worth checking out before applying.

“I had a German client whose parents were Iranian. Because of a past trip to Iran to visit extended family, his ESTA was denied. The system doesn’t care if your visit was for family or tourism. If you’ve been to these countries, expect a denial,” Christa tells.

✅ Tip: Be honest about your past travel destinations. There’s no point in trying to deceive the U.S. government, and dishonesty could lead to a lifelong ban from the country.

Reason 3: Dual citizenship or past nationalities

Okay, we’ll be the first to admit it: having passports from two different countries is cool. It’s got that international espionage feel to it. Of course, Mr. Bond, right this way, Mr. Bond. Shaken? Naturally…

But dual citizenship could get your ESTA flagged unless you are a tuxedo-clad international man of mystery. Even a past nationality that you have renounced could still complicate things. As Christa explains:

“If you fail to disclose a dual or prior citizenship, even if you’ve renounced it, it could be construed as evasiveness or dishonesty.”

✅ Tip: Disclose all relevant information on your application. If you are still unsure, use a platform like iVisa where you’ll receive expert advice and support.

Reason 4: Past visa denials and travel patterns

The U.S. immigration services do not forget. Especially not when backed up by all the might and power of the Department of Homeland Security. If you’ve had issues applying for an ESTA or visa in the past, there’s a pretty good chance that it will be more of the same.

Similarly, if your past travel patterns are outside the norm, it can get your ESTA flagged, even if you didn’t travel to the U.S. before. Frequent long stays in countries, one-way travel tickets, or numerous ‘border hops’ may all result in an ESTA refusal.

“They're not going to be sympathetic to your case if you're just making excuses about what happened in the past,” Christa explains.

✅ Tip: If you’ve had issues when applying for U.S. travel documents, you should skip ESTA and instead apply for a visa directly. Following this, you should start preparing for your embassy interview.

Reason 5: A criminal record

Unfortunately, we live in a world where a criminal record almost always leads to an ESTA being denied. The U.S. Government doesn’t care about what happened, how long ago it was, or any other nuances. As Christa Byker puts it:

“I've actually consulted with people who have a serious criminal record, and I just tell them it's not worth it to apply for the visa.”

The reality is that travelers with a criminal conviction should prepare for rejection.

Bottom line? ESTA success comes down to minimising risks

Even though the ESTA application looks straightforward, the process is stark and unforgiving. The tiniest discrepancy will get your application flagged, meaning you’ll have to apply for a U.S. visa.

“Don’t DIY your U.S. immigration journey. It’s too high-risk right now,” Christa says. “Get expert help before it's too late.”

We at iVisa believe in your right to fret-free travel. That’s why we’ve streamlined the ESTA process, allowing you to create fault-free applications. Our numbers speak for themselves:

Our travel support team is just a shout away, eager to help with any questions about traveling to the United States and the ESTA application. Contact us anytime via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.