USA ESTA

[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

 

[jrfsp]

If there was no record of your visit in your current passport how would they know
Not suggesting that’s the course of action.

 

[Mitch_W]

If there was no record of your visit in your current passport how would they know
Not suggesting that’s the course of action.

My current passport has a number of Visas to North Korea. But I would think that the US Government has access to all of our travel history with the technology that have even if I had a brand new passport.

 

[Scarlett]

If there was no record of your visit in your current passport how would they know
Not suggesting that’s the course of action.

They know.
Visiting certain countries isn’t a problem: not being honest is the problem.

 

[randompunter]

Yes that is a huge PITA. I had to go through the visa interview process after a trip to Iran. Living in NQ our nearest US Consulate is quite far away in Sydney. Took a few hours of shuffling and waiting for a simple 30 second interview, basically they asked "Why did you go to Iran?" We replied "Tourism" and all was fine. Annoyingly that rule came in in 2015, a few years after we had travelled in 2013 but was applied retroactively to 2011.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Visiting USA for the first time and I did ESTA for 3 people a few days ago.
For the question
"Is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country?"
I put "Yes" because I misunderstood the question. Do I need to create all new ESTA applications and click 'No" now? I can't seem to edit/update it.

Also we're arriving in less than 72 hours, is this very bad?

 

[SYD]

Visiting USA for the first time and I did ESTA for 3 people a few days ago.
For the question
"Is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country?"
I put "Yes" because I misunderstood the question. Do I need to create all new ESTA applications and click 'No" now? I can't seem to edit/update it.

Also we're arriving in less than 72 hours, is this very bad?

Have you received the approval?

Unless someone has contrary advice, I’d think you’d be ok. There are very few (if any?) US ports you can transit without “entering” the USA. To enter you need an ESTA and that’s good for the greater of 2 yrs or the life of your PP (good for multiple visits).

TBH, it seems like a pretty dumb question but that’s obviously not an excuse to use with humourless Homeland Security folk.

 

[SYD]

Pulling the thread on the “dumb question”, here’s the explanation:

ESTA transit for a stopover in the USA

Is it necessary to obtain an ESTA for travelers who simply need to transit or stop over in the United States of America?

usa-esta.net

Basically “Transit” means you don’t have to enter accommodation details. Just “Transit”. It’s otherwise identical (and costs the same, with same validly and reuse). Surely they could dispense with that question and just provide a note to write “Transit”….

I almost wrote in my earlier post that ”accommodation” is the other dumb question on ESTA applications. I flew to SFO earlier in the year, so put the SF address in the application. I’m returning in a few weeks but not via SFO nor staying there. But the ESTA is still valid….