Need to get to the USA in one month- been denied a B2 two years ago. Best option?

[NoVisaNoFun]

Background: Then:
I am an Australian citizen was denied a B2 tourist visa 2-3 years ago.
I wanted to travel to America to live there for 5-6 months and basically just bum around - I was denied because they believed I was going there to work, after finding some information on google about me which I didn't tell them in the original interview. I have been to America since, on my old VWP.

Now:
I'm still an Australian citizen, however I have a visa in the UK which requires me to spend six months a year there to become permanent resident (i.e., strong ties to UK). I also have a residence and family in the UK. On top of that, I have family and properties in Australia under my name.

I'm going to the USA to play a board game competition for about 3-4 weeks. I can prove this. I will have a lot of money on me (±9000$) - will that be positive or negative?

- My plan is to apply for an ESTA and tick "yes I have had a denied visa" - is it possible at ALL for me to get accepted?
- If the ESTA does not get accepted, which visa should I apply for (keep in mind time constraint)?
- Will the denial of the ESTA hurt my chances for further visas, or can I cite it as a reason for say, reapplying for the B2 visa?

Extra credit question:
- If I'm denied entry at the entry port in USA, am I ok to book a flight to Canada, or will I have to go straight back to the UK?
- If I enter on ESTA, how likely is a ban if I am totally transparent? I expect to be questioned.

Any help for any of these questions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Hvr]

Given your time constraints see an immigration lawyer immediately and get professional advice. Start looking in the yellow pages today and call them first thing Monday morning.

Then start making plans to fill in the time for when you're not in the US.

Anecdotal comments suggest at least five years between being denied a visa and successfully reapplying.

If (when) deported the airline will take you back from whence you came, i.e. the UK. Expect them to take an interest in what happened and they'll probably insert some notes on your file. Don't expect them to assist you when applying for permanent residence in the UK.

You mentioned some information found by google that you withheld. This does not bode well for future applications noting you have lied on a previous application, even if only by omission.

 

[moa999]

I have been to America since, on my old VWP.!

Can't you do this again?
And when you did that did you say No to a denied question?

I suspect ticking Denied on ESTA will be an immediate no.

 

[NoVisaNoFun]

Given your time constraints see an immigration lawyer immediately and get professional advice. Start looking in the yellow pages today and call them first thing Monday morning.

Then start making plans to fill in the time for when you're not in the US.

What do you mean by this last bit?

Can't you do this again?
And when you did that did you say No to a denied question?

I suspect ticking Denied on ESTA will be an immediate no.

My old VWP has expired since - I travelled on that because it had been attained before my denied visa, therefore I didn't have to tick the "I have a denied visa" box. So I have never ticked it.

 

[Hvr]

I'm going to the USA to play a board game competition for about 3-4 weeks. I can prove this.

Then start making plans to fill in the time for when you're not in the US.

You said you want to go there to play a board game competition.

What I meant by my comment was that since there is little to no chance of you being allowed into the US then you will have some time to fill.

 

[Boris spatsky]

As for your time constraint, i don't believe that any specific visa is faster than another. The easiest to get would be B1/B2 as it has the least amount of paperwork required. But it still could take months.

As for the question about Canada, i believe that US CBP policy is to return you to point of embarkation at your cost. So i doubt that they will let you continue to Canada (and you will never make it street side anyway). I doubt Canada would let you in if you had just been denied US entry anyway.

 

[N860CR]

Why don't you fly into Vancouver and attempt to enter the USA there. Then you'll only be kicked back into Canada...

 

[Hvr]

Why don't you fly into Vancouver and attempt to enter the USA there. Then you'll only be kicked back into Canada...

He'd have to fly a route that didn't overfly the US because if it did then all of his details would be passed onto the US for pre-clearance before he was allowed to board the plane.

 

[NoVisaNoFun]

Update:

Received my ESTA!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Let us know how you go!

 

[NoVisaNoFun]

edit- will post later.

 

[Hvr]

Did you admit you were denied a visa when you applied for your ESTA?

Six thousand dollars seems too much to carry. There is a slight possibility they may think you're a drug dealer.

You will need an address for your first night's stay (at least) to be entered when you get your BP. Doesn't have to be a hotel.

I don't think anybody cares what residences (or even properties) you own.

Proof of what you've planned in the US might backfire if the activity actually requires a different visa. Assume that US immigration can use the internet and Google to search for your name if required.

Always tell the truth, lies will harm your situation more than the truth ever will. They often know the answer to the question before they ask it.

Do tell us how it goes when (if) you get admitted to the US. Otherwise let us know when you return on the next flight.

 

[NoVisaNoFun]

What I originally posted:

In preparing for the border, what are some things/questions to look out for?


- If I get asked why I was denied a visa- How should I answer? (I'm intending on just telling them what happened)


- How much cash should I bring? I was thinking ±6000, but as the poster below said I don't want to look like a drug dealer.


- What should I do about where I'm staying there? I'm not thrilled about booking a hotel when I'm not guaranteed entry, but I don't mind booking one for a day or two.


- I'm bringing proof of my resident status and properties I own, as well as proof of what I will be doing there.

Did you admit you were denied a visa when you applied for your ESTA?

Six thousand dollars seems too much to carry. There is a slight possibility they may think you're a drug dealer.

You will need an address for your first night's stay (at least) to be entered when you get your BP. Doesn't have to be a hotel.

I don't think anybody cares what residences (or even properties) you own.

Proof of what you've planned in the US might backfire if the activity actually requires a different visa. Assume that US immigration can use the internet and Google to search for your name if required.

Always tell the truth, lies will harm your situation more than the truth ever will. They often know the answer to the question before they ask it.

Do tell us how it goes when (if) you get admitted to the US. Otherwise let us know when you return on the next flight.

Thanks for replying.
Yes, I did admit I was denied a visa.

Re money. I now realise I should probably be ok since I am very well off, but I will bring 5000 just to be on the safe side (In the past I have been commended by the border agents for bringing money).

The properties/resident stuff is just to demonstrate ties (never hurts to bring that stuff in my opinion). By residence I meant my status.

As I understand I do not need a separate visa to participate in such competitions (it's just for fun, even though theres a bit of prizemoney).