New Guide Discussion: Beat the impending ESTA charge

dzug1

bobtheskutter wrote: »

This site is great!

I have a question about the esta form that I hoped people here could help with (though I might be better off phoning the embassy or something, I thought I'd check here first...).

"D) Are you seeking to work in the U.S.; or have you ever been excluded and deported; or been previously removed from the United States; or procured or attempted to procure a visa or entry into the U.S. by fraud or misrepresentation?"

I am travelling to the US for a job interview. That is seeking work, right? But the rest of the question really makes me want to answer "no"! If it is putting "seeking work" alongside "deported" it has to be a bad thing...

A difficult one - you are not seeking to work in the US on this visit so the temptation is to answer no.

But the suspicion of seeking work/not having funds is a common reason for being denied a visa waiver - I suspect far more common than having a criminal record. They do regard it as an absolute no-no so in their eyes it is a bad thing.

I'm not that convinced you'd get a visa if you went down that route either. Seeking work does not come under the auspices of a B1/B2 visa and I doubt if there's any other sort you are eligible for.

I'd ask the Embassy

chexum

bobtheskutter wrote: »

If it is putting "seeking work" alongside "deported" it has to be a bad thing...

It is bad, it means ESTA is not for you if you want to travel to be employed. You would be declined and you would need a different visa if you seek work. That being said, just an interview may be a valid "business" reason.

You may need proper legal assistance, but you should be safe even if you go to an interview, but intend to return from the US, and will not be employed until you do.

http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/bvisa/#b1

How will you get a job without a Visa that allows employment is something for you to sort out

lasvegas2010

Hi I have applied three times for the esta from the usa embassy but everytime i put my application number in it comes up with not registered, I was declined twice for a work visa approx 13 years ago and have been on holiday since then to the usa with no problems. When I went on a site that charges they wouldnt accept my application because of this so I dont know what to do next as I go to Las Vegas for a holiday mid Septmeber could do with some advice please ?

ferf1223

lasvegas2010 wrote: »

Hi I have applied three times for the esta from the usa embassy but everytime i put my application number in it comes up with not registered, I was declined twice for a work visa approx 13 years ago and have been on holiday since then to the usa with no problems. When I went on a site that charges they wouldnt accept my application because of this so I dont know what to do next as I go to Las Vegas for a holiday mid Septmeber could do with some advice please ?

Are you absolutely sure that you are completing the application? You will get the application number before you have finished and have to submit it at the very end. Do you get to a screen that says authorisation pending or something like that before you leave the site?

In any event, I'm not sure you would qualify for ESTA if you are honest about your declined work visas as one of the questions is

F) Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa or entry into the U.S. or had a U.S. visa canceled?

If you answer yes, my guess is that you won't qualify and you will have to get a visa...is it possible that you've been declined on ESTA already and maybe that is why you are having trouble with the site?

elliewelly_2

Hi, sorry if this has been covered already but I just want to be clear on something. I did search through and have read some comments but still dont feel that clear.

I will be travelling to New Zealand in April but flying with a 2 hour stop over in LA, and my flight booking confirms I need an ESTA for that reason.

I travel in April 2010 but my passport expires in July 2010 so was thinking that I might need 6 months left on my passport to fly through the States so was therefore planning on renewing it before I travel in April.

Is there any point in applying for an ESTA now while it's still free if I will be travelling on a new passport?

Thanks for any help - much appreciated.

ferf1223

elliewelly wrote: »

I travel in April 2010 but my passport expires in July 2010 so was thinking that I might need 6 months left on my passport to fly through the States so was therefore planning on renewing it before I travel in April.

You do not need 6 months left on your passport to travel to or through the US.

But it appears you do need 3 months validity for NZ...not sure whether your dates will just squeak by the requirement or not.

All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.

http://www.tourism.org.nz/passports-and-visas.html

There is no point applying for an ESTA now if you will be replacing your passport before you travel via the US, unless of course in the iterim you decide to take an unexpected trip.

lasvegas2010

ferf1223 wrote: »

Are you absolutely sure that you are completing the application? You will get the application number before you have finished and have to submit it at the very end. Do you get to a screen that says authorisation pending or something like that before you leave the site?

In any event, I'm not sure you would qualify for ESTA if you are honest about your declined work visas as one of the questions is

F) Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa or entry into the U.S. or had a U.S. visa canceled?

If you answer yes, my guess is that you won't qualify and you will have to get a visa...is it possible that you've been declined on ESTA already and maybe that is why you are having trouble with the site?

Yes I have had three application numbers now and none of them will get me back into the site, if I didnt mention the declined visas I assumed that would cause problems but now im not sure how to go about getting a visa any help with that would be appreciated thanks

luci

lasvegas2010 wrote: »

Yes I have had three application numbers now and none of them will get me back into the site, if I didnt mention the declined visas I assumed that would cause problems but now im not sure how to go about getting a visa any help with that would be appreciated thanks

There is some information HERE of people's experience of applying for a visa.

It seems to take a long time and a visit to London so I don't know if you will get one by mid September.

ferf1223

lasvegas2010 wrote: »

Yes I have had three application numbers now and none of them will get me back into the site,

But you will get an application number before you have actually submitted the application - have you gotten to a screen that says something about application pending, etc. when you have made the application? It's possible that you haven't actually submitted - that you have gotten to the application number and stopped thinking you were done, and there's one more step.

leew

Quicky guys

My passport expires in Feb 2011 - if i was to renew my ESTA would it expire then and not in two years time.