Help USA Visa nightmare!
Discussion
H Guys, Im sure this happens all the time but we are in a bit of a panic.
We are due to fly out in 3 weeks to orlando for a family holiday with a party of 16. One of the party has managed to fil in the Esta application wrong (I know) and been declined a visa twice. I think they said they were going over to work rather than vacation. No other reason for decline.
Im trying to ring various places but not having much joy, can anyone advise how to fix this? DO we need to visit the embassy in london and how long does that generally take.
We are due to fly out in 3 weeks to orlando for a family holiday with a party of 16. One of the party has managed to fil in the Esta application wrong (I know) and been declined a visa twice. I think they said they were going over to work rather than vacation. No other reason for decline.
Im trying to ring various places but not having much joy, can anyone advise how to fix this? DO we need to visit the embassy in london and how long does that generally take.
Try contacting them through the esta website.
From one of their web pages....
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1088/...
From one of their web pages....
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1088/...
You could try the above, but without an approved ESTA you cannot board a carrier to the US, so they would require a visa - usually a B2 for tourist purposes. An ESTA is not a visa, so they haven’t been denied a visa.
Not sure what the current wait time for a B2 is, but I would say that on that timescale it would be pushing it . If they require a waiver for some reason (criminal being the usual culprit) then there is zero chance whatsoever they are going as the waiver alone currently takes around six months.
The only other option would be for that person to fly to Canada or Mexico and try to enter at a land border, which doesn’t require an ESTA. They can then take internal flights without issue. However, entry at a land border DOES require them to be VWP eligible, which if they aren’t for some reason then they won’t be admitted there either.
[EDIT to add] As a real last ditch option they could try with a new passport, as every passport requires a new ESTA.
Not sure what the current wait time for a B2 is, but I would say that on that timescale it would be pushing it . If they require a waiver for some reason (criminal being the usual culprit) then there is zero chance whatsoever they are going as the waiver alone currently takes around six months.
The only other option would be for that person to fly to Canada or Mexico and try to enter at a land border, which doesn’t require an ESTA. They can then take internal flights without issue. However, entry at a land border DOES require them to be VWP eligible, which if they aren’t for some reason then they won’t be admitted there either.
[EDIT to add] As a real last ditch option they could try with a new passport, as every passport requires a new ESTA.
Edited by GCH on Friday 25th May 16:01
Have they actually been declined a Visa or just the ESTA? If they've been denied a Visa then forget it, if it's the ESTA which is more likely then you'll need to attend the embassy, as someone said it's not quick and you're unlikely to get it sorted before the trip.
A friend of mine panicked when doing his and said yes to the drugs bit (he had a conviction 30 years ago) and it was automatically rejected. He waited 4 weeks for his appointment at the embassy but there was a minor detail out with his paperwork and spent 7 hours waiting for nothing. Remember it's America, every little thing has to be right otherwise you'll be rejected.
A friend of mine panicked when doing his and said yes to the drugs bit (he had a conviction 30 years ago) and it was automatically rejected. He waited 4 weeks for his appointment at the embassy but there was a minor detail out with his paperwork and spent 7 hours waiting for nothing. Remember it's America, every little thing has to be right otherwise you'll be rejected.
Yip book an appointment at the Embassy ASAP or else that person won't be going anywhere as they won't even get on the flight without the ESTA (it's checked electronically when checking in i believe?)
IF you manage to get an appointment before the flight, expect to spend most the day there!
Also why apply for an ESTA so close to your trip? They last 2 years i think so would have been best to get this sorted months ago!
IF you manage to get an appointment before the flight, expect to spend most the day there!
Also why apply for an ESTA so close to your trip? They last 2 years i think so would have been best to get this sorted months ago!
swerni said:
would saying they are going for work cause them not to be accepted for an ESTA?
I always state that and have never been declined
Yep, if you answer yes to this one:I always state that and have never been declined
"Are you currently seeking employment in the United States or were you previously employed in the United States without prior permission from the U.S. government?"
Not the same as visiting for business (meetings, conferences, unpaid short term training, contract negotiation etc) which are permitted under the VWP.
I had a similar issue.. Answered yes, thinking its best to be up front, little did I know the yanks have no right to check your history.
Anyway, had 2 weeks before flying out and the London branch was fully booked for months, however the Belfast yank branch is normally not booked up. So if you need a visa quickly, go to Belfast.
Remember if he did answer yes to any question, he will need a certificate from the UK police to verify he is not a f
kwit anymore..
Anyway, had 2 weeks before flying out and the London branch was fully booked for months, however the Belfast yank branch is normally not booked up. So if you need a visa quickly, go to Belfast.
Remember if he did answer yes to any question, he will need a certificate from the UK police to verify he is not a f
kwit anymore..Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 28th May 22:36
swerni said:
Any would saying they are going for work cause them not to be accepted for an ESTA?
I always state that and have never been declined
Was about to say the same.I always state that and have never been declined
As it happens I spent last week in the US on business and I definitely filled in the ESTA application to that effect. No problems at all.
PorkInsider said:
swerni said:
Any would saying they are going for work cause them not to be accepted for an ESTA?
I always state that and have never been declined
Was about to say the same.I always state that and have never been declined
As it happens I spent last week in the US on business and I definitely filled in the ESTA application to that effect. No problems at all.
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