ESTA - "Authorization Pending" for 14 days and Counting!

[Mitch_W]

Travelling to Canada & Alaska on 31/8/22. Flying into Vancouver and joining an Alaskan cruise for 7 Days then 7 days land travel (Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali NP, Fairbanks etc). Then flying Fairbanks to Seattle then Seattle/SIN/SYD.
Applied for our ESTA for the US 2 weeks ago and still pending (website states decision within 72 hours).
Problem seems to be that I ticked the box that I had been to one of the countries on the "evil" countries list ie Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, North Korea since 2011.
I now have only one week before I need to cancel all the travel plans so I can get a refund/credit. It was suggested I apply for a Visa but looking into that found that I cant get an interview at the US Consulate in Sydney until April 2023!
Guess I will wait it out until the last day of Canx and hope & pray we are approved.
Would love some advice if anyone has some?
Cheers,
Mitch

 

[Anna]

I'm sorry but I don't think you will be approved for ESTA. You'll likely need an interview. Maybe try other cities for the appointment.

 

[serfty]

Problem seems to be that I ticked the box that I had been to one of the countries on the "evil" countries list ie Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, North Korea since 2011.

I agree with @Anna - you are going to need that interview.

Advising them you have been to one of those listed countries immediately disqualifies you from the Visa Waiver Program (which is what an ESTA is really an application for).

 

[Quickstatus]

Agree with above, you can’t use ESTA.
There are 4 US consulates in AU.

I had a friend who needed an urgent visa to US. He flew SYD-PER-SYD because Perth consulate was the earliest available.

Perth Consulate prioritises WA residents but will serve non WA residents.

Basically never pay for travel OS, unless visa has been approved or where there has never been a problem obtaining one in the past - either a sticker on passport or VWP (it’s a misnomer really, should be a sticker waiver program)

 

[MJHoops]

Yes, seems you are not eligible unless you can fall within the exception - here are the FAQ from the CBP website regarding travel to those countries affecting eligiblity

Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act Frequently Asked Questions

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

 

[levelnine]

I've had friends in the same situation. People who have visited those countries require a visa and visa interviews are impossible to get at the moment. They had to cancel their trip to the US.

Sorry, you won't be going on your trip.

 

[UP4014]

As others have said, no good outcomes I think, no visa waiver if you visit certain countries as you need to provide a rationale for the visiting.

You could cancel the US sections and stick to direct Canada flights, but looks like that could be a whole change of your trip.

 

[sqrt()]

Ymmv, but there are last-minute appointment cancellations (I secured a same-week appointment in Sydney last month for a working visa). Other issue is you have to pay the MRV fee to even be able to make an appointment.

 

[knagelli]

Problem seems to be that I ticked the box that I had been to one of the countries on the "evil" countries list ie Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, North Korea since 2011.

If you had been to one of those countries , then as suggested interview might be the way forward. Did you try contacting the customer support team at the US embassy ?

In the past , I did call them about something else and they were quite helpful.

 

[Mitch_W]

As others have said, no good outcomes I think, no visa waiver if you visit certain countries as you need to provide a rationale for the visiting.

You could cancel the US sections and stick to direct Canada flights, but looks like that could be a whole change of your trip.

When filling out the ESTA form, I selecting the option that states Humanitarian work which I have been doing in DPRK. I would have thought that this is a legit rationale for visiting. I assume though that they would still want an interview which I guess will not be scheduled in time.

 

[Mitch_W]

If you had been to one of those countries , then as suggested interview might be the way forward. Did you try contacting the customer support team at the US embassy ?

In the past , I did call them about something else and they were quite helpful.

I have sent a few emails but had no reply. I will try calling.

 

[MJHoops]

When filling out the ESTA form, I selecting the option that states Humanitarian work which I have been doing in DPRK. I would have thought that this is a legit rationale for visiting. I assume though that they would still want an interview which I guess will not be scheduled in time.

As per the link I sent, unless you were doing this work on behalf of the Australian government (which I doubt given it’s DPRK) you won’t fall within the limited exception for those who have travelled to DPRK

Off topic but fascinated to know what work you did in DPRK!

 

[Quickstatus]

work you did in DPRK!

He is hardly going to say “top secret” is he

 

[Mitch_W]

Just an update on this….
Thanks to all for the advice. I have cancelled everything. Still on the the pending list with ESTA. Be interesting to see how long it remains that way before it is denied. Have my Visa interview scheduled for April 2023 so if approved will rebook our trip next year.

 

[Mitch_W]

Off topic but fascinated to know what work you did in DPRK!

Mainly medical and dental training and supply of medical and dental equipment and disposables to rural hospitals.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Best of luck on getting that Visa. I would advise you to inquire if there is a magical number they could provide you to avoid this in the future (similar to a TSA Redress Number). Also depending on citizenship it may make sense to apply for a program like Global Entry where you are "pre-cleared" by US authorities which also has the added benefit of making US entry a breeze.

-RooFlyer88

 

[henrus]

I would advise you to inquire if there is a magical number they could provide you to avoid this in the future (similar to a TSA Redress Number).

A known traveller number won't help at all with entry.

Due to the OP's previous travel history they will never be eligible for visa free entry into the US again (unless they revoke the rules on those who've visited those countries).

I can't find the press release for when the DPRK was added but here is the one for the other countries:

United States Begins Implementation of Changes to the Visa Waiver Program | Homeland Security

The United States today began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to...

www.dhs.gov

Interestingly it states waivers to those rules may (on a case by case basis) apply to travel with international organisations, NGO's etc. It could be possible that the OPs ESTA might be approved, after all it has yet to be denied (just still pending).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

A known traveller number won't help at all with entry.

Due to the OP's previous travel history they will never be eligible for visa free entry into the US again (unless they revoke the rules on those who've visited those countries).

I can't find the press release for when the DPRK was added but here is the one for the other countries:

United States Begins Implementation of Changes to the Visa Waiver Program | Homeland Security

The United States today began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to...

www.dhs.gov

Interestingly it states waivers to those rules may (on a case by case basis) apply to travel with international organisations, NGO's etc. It could be possible that the OPs ESTA might be approved, after all it has yet to be denied (just still pending).

Thank goodness I'm not a citizen of a VWP country!

-RooFlyer88

 

[nataliek]

Just an update on this….
Thanks to all for the advice. I have cancelled everything. Still on the the pending list with ESTA. Be interesting to see how long it remains that way before it is denied. Have my Visa interview scheduled for April 2023 so if approved will rebook our trip next year.

Hi, we are in a similar situation and we have been waiting for 12 days now...I am wondering what is your ESTA status at the end and how long did (does) it take to get an answer? Thanks.

 

[Mitch_W]

Hi Natalie,
I am still on the “Pending Status” after all this time and I don’t think anything will change now.
I have switched my Visa interview to Perth so I could get interviewed in November rather than SYD in April (gives us more time to plan).
My advice would be, if you have been to any of those countries on the list, make an appointment now for a Visa Interview. SYD & MEL are now into 2nd half of next year (ridiculous) and Perth is Nov/Dec.
Good luck!
Mitch