Travel Alert: Important Update for Members Travelling to the USA

We have a business critical message from our British Superyacht Ambassador for Business Travel, Damian Flower.

As many of you prepare for upcoming business trips or leisure travel across the Atlantic, we want to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.

We have been advised that U.S. Customs and Border Protection are cancelling previously approved ESTA applications where the photo that is required as part of the application process is a picture of a traveller's passport photo. Please ensure that the photo you provide as part of the application process is an up-to-date original photo, taken at the time of application.

The New Photo Requirement

Since late 2025, the ESTA application process has been updated to include a "live" photo (selfie) requirement, (if applicable) aligning the web application with the mobile app standards.

The critical issue: Many applicants have attempted to fulfil this by taking a photo of the printed photograph in their physical passport. This is no longer accepted. CBP's "liveness detection" software can identify when an image is a "photo of a photo" or a scan.

Why This Matters to You

If you used a photo of your passport picture during an application in 2025 or early 2026:

Automatic Cancellation: Your ESTA may be revoked or cancelled without a direct notification.

Boarding Denied: Travelers are reporting "Denied Boarding" at the gate because their ESTA status changed to "Invalid" in the airline’s system just hours before departure.

Revoked Approvals: Even if your ESTA was initially confirmed, CBP is retroactively auditing and cancelling authorizations that do not meet the new biometric standards.

How to Secure Your Travel

To avoid being turned away at the airport, we strongly advise all members to take the following steps:

Verify Your Status: Visit the official CBP website immediately to check your application status: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Look for "Travel Not Authorized": If your previously approved status has changed, you must submit a new application.

Apply Correctly: When prompted for a photo, use a fresh, passport-style color photograph taken specifically for the application. Ensure it is against a plain background with no filters, glasses, or headwear.

Timing: Always check your status at least 72 hours before departure.

At British Superyacht, we are Stronger Together when we share vital industry updates. Don’t let a technicality delay your next big opportunity in the USA with the Miami and Palm Beach Shows around the corner.

We strongly recommend all member professionals travelling on an ESTA to check the status of their ESTA prior to travel and reapply if it has been cancelled for any reason.

You can find further information on the CBP Website

If you require any more information or would like to enjoy stress free business travel, contact Damian Flower at damian@onsidetravel.com or +44 (0)300 600 1177

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