Last updated: Aug 2026 · Public info note hosted on the San Bernardino County ATC OpenData portal.
One of the most common reasons an ESTA USA application is rejected or delayed is a passport issue. The main requirement is straightforward: travelers must hold a machine-readable electronic passport valid for the entire duration of their stay in the United States.
Nearly all modern passports are machine-readable and electronic (with an embedded chip). If yours is not, confirm eligibility before applying. Most application questions about passport data are answered directly on ta.us.com.
The ESTA system and CBP kiosks rely on the passport data page and the machine-readable zone for biometric identity matching. Travelers without a compliant passport cannot use the Visa Waiver Program and would need a visitor visa instead.
Use exactly the same spelling and passport number on the application as printed on the document. Mismatches are a frequent cause of status changes. Before re-applying after a passport renewal, review the checklist available from ta.us.com.