You must apply for an ESTA online to enter the USA after 12 Jan 2009

jayemcee49

LittleTinker wrote: »

Why did he go to the embassy in the first place?

He went because he thought it didn't matter to go and that he could get multi entry anyway. I said he was naive at the time. I just thought it was a little callous of them to actually write in his notes that he had been "refused".

luci

Adam7294 wrote: »

Since the day this tread appeared on the website the link has been broken. I have now tried several times a day every day and still can not access the website. I'm travelling to USA in a few weeks time and need to complete this as soon as possible. Does anyone know if this can be completed anywhere else?

I think you should try accessing from a different computer as the link isn't broken. I have just accessed it and have every time I've tried.

omelette451

jayemcee49 wrote: »

He went because he thought it didn't matter to go and that he could get multi entry anyway. I said he was naive at the time. I just thought it was a little callous of them to actually write in his notes that he had been "refused".

I think in his particular case the problem was his age. There aren't many 18-year-olds who can afford to support themselves for up to a year in the US, and embassy officials are likely to have worried that he might have tried to work illegally in the US. British citizens can be granted multiple-entry visas if they travel regularly to the US as tourists (my grandparents had them for many years), but only if they can demonstrate that they have sufficient funds and that they have things to return to in the UK (e.g. steady jobs, family, etc.). It's exactly the same at British consulates around the world: hundreds if not thousands of young people are refused visas for Britain every day principally because 'we' are worried they might not return home or might try to work here. In your son's case it was very unfortunate but is understandable. That said, I agree that consular officials should have warned him he would be refused entry under VWP rules, as it seems this was certainly inevitable.

terry2

omelette451 wrote: »

I think in his particular case the problem was his age. There aren't many 18-year-olds who can afford to support themselves for up to a year in the US, and embassy officials are likely to have worried that he might have tried to work illegally in the US. .

I would agree with that - my 22 year old daughter had a similar problem;

You have to remember that, as with all officials/bureaucrats, it is safer for their career to refuse anyone that might be doubtful, and to remember they always keep records, so any refusal will be noted and will be on record.

What we did was appeal against the decision to refuse to issue a visa (as normal there is an official procedure you have to follow [from memory we had to fill in another visa application form and pay a fee]) but this time we also made the case that she had enough funds for the trip, giving details of what she had available - and we gave a guarantee that we would meet any additional costs she might incur and got a letter from the bank saying we were good for the amounts involved - and also gave a detailed itinerary of where she would go, and when she would be staying with US friends (with addresses) as part of estimating the costs. In other words, we were presenting evidence that she would not be a drain on the US economy, but would be of benefit to it by spending money there.

and yes the appeal was succesful and she got her visa.

whatusername

Can anyone answer me if they are in the know. A member of our party of 12 has an assault charge on record from almost 16 years ago, he was granted a visa in 1998. Does he really need to apply for a Visa again or will he get through on the VWP as on the us site the assault charge aint what they would term as an offence of moral turpitud.

He already has been granted authorisation on the ESTA site but we'd rather be safe than sorry.

Thoughts/Knowlege appreciated.

Thanks

omelette451

whatusername wrote: »

Can anyone answer me if they are in the know. A member of our party of 12 has an assault charge on record from almost 16 years ago, he was granted a visa in 1998. Does he really need to apply for a Visa again or will he get through on the VWP as on the us site the assault charge aint what they would term as an offence of moral turpitud.

He already has been granted authorisation on the ESTA site but we'd rather be safe than sorry.

Was this a proper visa from a consulate or entry via the VWP programme?

alanrowell

Assuming it is a visa (ie they filled in the forms and had an interview at the US Embassy) - did they declare the conviction then?

whatusername

It was a proper visa, he went to London for an interview and declared it then.

hansi

Adam7294 wrote: »

Since the day this tread appeared on the website the link has been broken. I have now tried several times a day every day and still can not access the website. I'm travelling to USA in a few weeks time and need to complete this as soon as possible. Does anyone know if this can be completed anywhere else?

I wouldn't worry too much. In my earlier post I said that I flew to Miami last week and was still given the awful green form at check-in, and the immigration people didn't know anyting about ESTA!

hansi

But I would still apply for one, in case they change their minds!