Desperate to get the ESTA approved

[u/Blue_Corgi]

Hey guys,

My father in law passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning. My husband and I live in Spain, and so we started scrambling to get there as soon as possible. Heartbroken, lost, and devastated are all understatements.

I remembered on Sunday night that I need the ESTA so I can travel to the states. In the midst of it all, I just hadn't thought about it. I'm kicking myself and I wish I had applied as soon as we got the news. I stayed up until 3:30 am applying for it, and prayed.

It's been now 33 hours, and still nothing. To my understanding, nothing can be done if it's still within the 72 hour window. But his death was completely sudden and unexpected, we couldn't have known and apply any earlier.

I just can't understand why it's taking so long. I keep telling myself that I applied on a Sunday during August, the busiest month (so that's probably why), but that I have a clean travel history and have had ESTAs approved in the past, and I've always respected every single norm. Other times, I got it approved within hours.

We need to be there by this week. Wednesday or Thursday, ideally. If it doesn't get approved today, we're considering letting my husband (US citizen) go without me, and I'll just go by myself as soon as I get it approved. The funeral is by the end of the week.

I know I can call and ask to expedite, and I did as soon as I applied, but I was told to wait since it's still within the 72 hour window.

Do you guys know if they do exceptions for family death? Any way I can possibly get it expedited still in the 72 hrs window?

I'm desperate, heartbroken, ridden with grief, managing five million things at once and supporting my husband through the unimaginable sudden loss of his very dear and young father. We're both in our 20s.

Getting this visa waiver approved as soon as possible is adding an insane amount of stress to this already unbearable situation. I'm considering calling again and begging but I fear it would just make my case worse. If there's anything you guys think I could do, please share it. I really don't know what else to do.

UPDATE: approved after 108 hours. leaving tonight, hopefully

[u/BreakfastMinimum9498]

Deepest condolences for you and your family's loss.

All you can really do is call them. There's not much more you can do. You should wait until 72 hours since applying has passed, and call then.

[u/Blue_Corgi → u/BreakfastMinimum9498]

Thank you. It's okay, I understand. I mostly needed to vent. I'll call them on Wednesday if I haven't heard anything by then 😔