At ESTA Guide, we are committed to providing high-quality consultation services. This Refund Policy explains the circumstances under which refunds may be issued for our services.
Important Notice: ESTA Guide is a private consultation service. We provide guidance and support for travel authorisation applications but cannot guarantee approval. Our consultation fees are separate from any applicable government fees.
1. Understanding Our Fees
1.1 Consultation Service Fee
Our service fee covers:
- Professional review of your application information
- Document preparation guidance and checklists
- Error-checking and completeness verification
- Customer support throughout the process
- Expert advice on application requirements
1.2 Government Processing Fees
Government fees are paid directly to the relevant governmental authorities (not to ESTA Guide) and are subject to their refund policies, which typically do not allow refunds.
Fee Breakdown:
- Our Consultation Fee: Covers our advisory services (refund eligibility outlined below)
- Government Fee: Paid to authorities (generally non-refundable)
2. Refund Eligibility
2.1 Full Refund Scenarios
You are eligible for a full refund of our consultation service fee if:
- Service Not Delivered: We fail to provide the consultation services you paid for
- Technical Error: You were charged twice due to a technical error
- Cancellation Before Work Begins: You cancel within 24 hours of payment and before we have begun work on your application
- Service Unavailable: We determine we cannot provide the service for any reason
2.2 Partial Refund Scenarios
You may be eligible for a partial refund if:
- You cancel after we have begun work but before the application is submitted
- You decide not to proceed with the application after receiving our initial consultation
Partial refunds are calculated based on the work completed and will be at our discretion.
2.3 No Refund Scenarios
Refunds are NOT available in the following circumstances:
- Application has been submitted to authorities
- Application is rejected or denied by government authorities
- Processing delays by government authorities
- Change of mind after application submission
- Information you provided was inaccurate or incomplete
- You failed to respond to our requests for information in a timely manner
- You violated our Terms and Conditions
- More than 14 days have passed since payment (UK Consumer Rights Act)
3. Government Fee Refunds
Government processing fees are paid directly to governmental authorities and are subject to their refund policies.
Important Information:
- Government fees are typically non-refundable
- We do not control government refund policies
- Refund requests for government fees must be directed to the relevant authority
- We are not liable for government fee refunds
4. How to Request a Refund
4.1 Refund Request Process
To request a refund, please follow these steps:
- Contact Us: Email us at info@estaguide.co.uk or call 020 3951 4427
- Provide Information: Include your name, booking reference, and reason for the refund request
- Supporting Documentation: Attach any relevant supporting documents
- Await Review: We will review your request within 5-7 business days
- Decision Notification: You will be notified of our decision via email
4.2 Required Information
When requesting a refund, please provide:
- Full name
- Email address used for payment
- Booking or reference number
- Date of payment
- Detailed reason for refund request
- Any supporting documentation
5. Processing Time
Once a refund is approved:
- Review Period: 5-7 business days to review your request
- Processing Time: 7-14 business days to process approved refunds
- Bank Processing: Additional 3-5 business days for your bank to process the refund
- Total Timeline: Approximately 15-26 business days from request to receipt
Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the purchase.
6. Consumer Rights (UK)
6.1 14-Day Cooling Off Period
Under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchasing our service. However, if we begin providing the service during this period with your consent, you may lose this right or receive only a partial refund for work completed.
6.2 Consumer Rights Act 2015
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be:
- Performed with reasonable care and skill
- Provided at a reasonable price (where no price was agreed)
- Completed within a reasonable time (where no time was agreed)
If we fail to meet these requirements, you may be entitled to a price reduction or refund.
7. Disputes and Chargebacks
7.1 Dispute Resolution
If you are dissatisfied with our decision on your refund request:
- Contact our customer service team to discuss your concerns
- Request escalation to a manager if not resolved
- Consider using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services
7.2 Chargebacks
We encourage you to contact us directly before initiating a chargeback with your bank. Chargebacks may result in:
- Suspension of services
- Additional fees if the chargeback is found to be unjustified
- Account termination
8. Service Guarantee
Our Commitment:
While we cannot guarantee visa or ESTA approval (as this is decided by government authorities), we guarantee that:
- We will provide professional consultation services
- We will review your application for completeness and common errors
- We will provide customer support throughout the process
- We will treat your information with confidentiality and care
9. Exceptions and Special Circumstances
9.1 Force Majeure
Refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis in situations beyond our control, such as:
- Natural disasters
- Government travel bans
- Pandemic-related travel restrictions
- Political instability affecting travel
9.2 Service Issues
If you experience significant service issues, please contact us immediately. We will investigate and may offer:
- A full or partial refund
- Credit toward future services
- Complimentary additional support
10. What Is NOT Covered
This refund policy does NOT cover:
- Application Denials: Rejection of your application by government authorities
- Processing Delays: Delays in government processing times
- Travel Disruptions: Cancelled flights, hotel bookings, or other travel arrangements
- Consequential Losses: Lost wages, missed opportunities, or other indirect losses
- Policy Changes: Changes in government immigration policies or requirements
- Ineligibility: Discovery that you are ineligible for the visa or ESTA after payment
11. Modifications to Refund Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective when posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. The policy in effect at the time of your purchase will apply to your transaction.
12. Contact Information
For refund requests or questions about this policy, please contact us:
13. Alternative Dispute Resolution
If you are unhappy with how we have handled any complaint, you may refer your complaint to: