Serious- will we get US visas?

luci

Pee wrote: »

How does the new system work? Do you need a flight booked, or could you do the application saying you were intending to book a last minute flight, and one might then not come up in your price range?

Flight and accommodation info is not mandatory and therefore not required to complete an ESTA. You can go back and edit it to add the information once you have it.

As it lasts for 2 years and you may visit more than once during that time, you may have to edit it several times if you want to add the information for each visit.

Aidenr

Lynzpower, IMO I really would not worry too much.

If you have been in the US before under the green VWP, then you should have no problems. The ESTA is exactly the same as the green form and are still given out onboard the aircraft as the system is still in its final stages.

FYI I have added below the open information that I have been given from work about ESTA, most people know it but for those who are unsure, maybe useful ?....

Travellers flying to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must now apply prior to their trip for a travel authority online using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). However, until further notice passengers still need to continue to complete a green visa waiver form.

Increasing numbers of our customers are arriving into the USA without the correct documentation. Please help to ensure passengers are advised of the correct information and receive a green visa waiver form even if they have a valid travel authority from the ESTA website.

ESTA became mandatory on 12 January although we have been advised that there will be a period of ‘informed compliance’ there will be a period of informed compliance over the next few months. At this time, a passenger who has not completed their application for travel via the ESTA website will be permitted entry to the US but will be advised by the Custom and Border Protection (CBP) agent on arrival that they must obtain a travel authority by their next trip; failure to do so could result in the passenger being liable for secondary search or in the worst case denied entry. CBP will be tracking individuals' records.

To obtain an electronic travel authority go to: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. There is no charge for using ESTA.


A

whatusername

bump.

You there lynz? How did you get on?

Marty_J

I have seen cases where someone is offered their dream job in the US, or falls in love with an American and wants to get married and move there, and then it all comes out that they lied to an immigration official about their criminal record in order to go shopping in New York.

Genuine mistakes are often straightened out, but lying on an immigration form is considered to be a very serious offence, and could result in being barred for life. It's certainly much more of a bar to entry than being convicted of possessing some cannabis a decade ago.

Just be careful what you do, as it can sometimes have very serious consequences further down the line.

lynzpower

Weve decided noto to go for a while.

There is not an issue at all as the US do NOT I repeat DO NOT AND WILL NOT have access to our data inc CRB.

We are getting the issue stepped down in any case.

ailuro2

fwiw You can do the ESTA online then return to it later and fill in your flight details - we did this just amonth ago, so I know it's possible.

lindsey_toffee_girl

thanks for this info Lyndz

alanrowell

If you apply for a visa then you have to provide your criminal records which - as drugs are most definitely a crime of moral turpitude - will mean you will be refused a visa.

So don't bother, don't mention the drugs on any form or within earshot of anyone do to with US immigration - then cross your fingers.

The worst that can happen is they decide you are lying, refuse you entry, chuck you into a holding cell, then transport you in chains to a jail for a weekend (YES THEY DO DO THAT SOMETIMES) then evict you at your own expense with a "never darken our doors ever again" sticker in your passport

DanielD2008

Do fingerprints not only get taken for major arrests ? (murder etc).

I wouldnt have thought fingerprints get taken for possesion of cannabis which would therefore mean if the US people stopped you then investigated there would be no trace of fingerprints.

alanrowell

lynzpower wrote: »

My oh was found by the police in posession of a small amount of cannabis around 11 years ago. ( around 3 grams)...

...We went to Vegas in November/Dec last year but obviously we didnt need the visas then, and we were on the green card system that you fill in on the plane.

Oh B*gg*r - if you apply for a visa now and supply them with the details of the conviction, then they will check their records and find that you LIED to them in order to get the Visa Waiver in that you didn't declare the crime. That is an automatic refusal.

So whatever you do DON'T APPLY FOR A VISA