ESTA application for USA

The_stingemeister

Planning a holiday in the USA later this year.

So I have applied for an ESTA online. It asked have you been turned down for a USA visa before? I debated with myself whether to say yes or no, as I was rejected back in 1998 because (I think) I hadn't a job to come back to in the UK. No criminal records or anything like that.

This time I don't want a visa, just a visit for a maximum of 2 weeks, I said Yes to the visa rejection. Back then I just wanted to spend up to 6 months traveling around the country, not interested in working there.

I paid my $14 and it said: will let you know in 72 hours. Should I have kept quiet, if they give me the all clear I hope I won't be kicked out at a US airport after paying for flights and hotel!

The_stingemeister

Any thoughts?

Voyager2002

You will know when they decide to tell you...

But visiting Cuba would be far more intelligent, so there was not a lot of point applying for an ESTA.

Misty_Blue

You did the right thing, you should never lie on the ESTA. It's quite possible you would get to your destination and then be put straight back on the first flight home!

The ESTA itself of course is not your right to enter the USA, it's just your authorisation to travel. But either way, honesty is by far the best policy here. They will probably look into it and grant you permission to travel. If they don't, at least you know and can apply for a Visa to allow you to go on your holiday.

The_stingemeister

Misty_Blue wrote: »

You did the right thing, you should never lie on the ESTA. It's quite possible you would get to your destination and then be put straight back on the first flight home!

The ESTA itself of course is not your right to enter the USA, it's just your authorisation to travel. But either way, honesty is by far the best policy here. They will probably look into it and grant you permission to travel. If they don't, at least you know and can apply for a Visa to allow you to go on your holiday.

Errr I don't want a visa....just a ESTA (for max of 3 weeks).

ferf1223

The_stingemeister wrote: »

Errr I don't want a visa....just a ESTA (for max of 3 weeks).

But if you are unsuccessful with your ESTA application you will then have the option to apply for a visa in order to take your holiday.

CommitedToChange

Last time I applied it said that and I said no to everything. Don't get to stressed yet. Mine came back fine.

As someone said - better to tell the truth than pay all your money and get sent home because you lied.

John259

IMHO you did the right thing. The US authorities almost certainly have your previous failed visa application on record and might well have discovered it if you'd lied, then you'd never have been allowed in.

As the reason for your previous visa application being rejected wasn't for anything criminal or suspicious, I guess your current ESTA application stands a good chance of succeeding, and as other posters have said you've got the fallback option of applying for a visa if it fails.

ashley

Hi,my nephew had a similar problem as he was drunk in charge of a jeep when in marines. He therefor had a conviction. His Esta was initially rejected and he had to contact embassy in London. A 5 minute telephone call cleared up issue. So I reckopn you were best to come clean as they can be fussy at times.
Have a nice trip.

ferf1223

ashley wrote: »

Hi,my nephew had a similar problem as he was drunk in charge of a jeep when in marines. He therefor had a conviction. His Esta was initially rejected and he had to contact embassy in London. A 5 minute telephone call cleared up issue. So I reckopn you were best to come clean as they can be fussy at times.
Have a nice trip.

A UK conviction and a failed US visa application aren't really that similar, though I understand what you are saying in terms of both relating to questions on the ESTA application...I would imagine that the failed visa application would certainly be in the US records whereas the other may be up for debate in terms of how likely the US authorities would know about it (I am not suggesting anything one wya or the other in this respect).

I wasn't aware you could call the embassy to clear things up though?

I do hope the OP comes back with an update as I would be curious to know.

rubbishreply

OP did the correct thing in answering the question truthfully.

Rejected application was 16 years ago, so should be of no issue here.

Other point, Being drunk in charge of a vehicle is of no concern unless you had a couple of drink related arrests, when it would raise concerns. Question on ESTA should have been answered with a "NO".

US operate a call centre in Scotland, but I am unsure if this person called that.

John259 wrote: »

might well have discovered it if you'd lied, then you'd never have been allowed in.

System doesn't work like that.