USA ESTA

[moa999]

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.

Got a friend with a similar issue after visiting North Korea. They haven't bothered with the US since.

 

[SYD]

Got a friend with a similar issue after visiting North Korea. They haven't bothered with the US since.

North Korea requires a visa. A friend had that issue and bit the bullet to attend a special event.

Selecting “Yes” to some of those problematic questions is usually a reason for an ESTA to be declined - but you’d expect some advice on being declined. If not, I’d be making a call.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi guys,
Hope you’re keeping well!
I had applied for ESTA on 7th July 2024 for my travel starting from 26th July.
I am on Australian passport since Aug 2023 & prior to that i had an Indian passport with valid US visitor visa.
I can’t keep dual citizenship so i had to renounce my Indian passport.
Now, the problem is my ESTA isn’t approved yet as I had marked yes to question where they ask about denial or refusal. I was refused Business visa in October 2012 due to 214(b) reason.
However, I will be surprised if that’s causing delays as I had received valid US visa on Indian passport & had travelled to states once in August 2022.
I am so stressed!!!
Any thoughts?
Appreciate it!

I was doing some research regarding dual passports. Apparently the advice is *not* to switch between them for your ESTAs. That is, if you have been getting ESTAs in passport #1, don’t switch to passport #2!

The reason for telling the above is that someone switched and their ESTA was pending/denied. In their case they went to the embassy/consulate, who made a note on file, and the ETSA was then approved.

So maybe in your case a visit to the embassy or consulate might be worthwhile? It might be a case of someone unlocking the ETSA once they have the additional information.

 

[Vidhi17]

was this a last minute trip? Why apply so late?
At this point it is unlikely to matter if you cancel today or in 4 days so you may as well go up to the moment and then cancel when it doesn’t come through.

Hey,
Thank you for your inputs! Actually, I thought that it’s easy to get approval & should not take long! I had booked my tickets in May but didn’t know that i should have applied ESTA first! Their website states 72 hours requirement! Yeap you are making sense!
Lessons learnt! But it’s soo stressful & i already had visited us in aug 2022 on indian passport so this ESTA is soo frustrating!

I was doing some research regarding dual passports. Apparently the advice is *not* to switch between them for your ESTAs. That is, if you have been getting ESTAs in passport #1, don’t switch to passport #2!

The reason for telling the above is that someone switched and their ESTA was pending/denied. In their case they went to the embassy/consulate, who made a note on file, and the ETSA was then approved.

So maybe in your case a visit to the embassy or consulate might be worthwhile? It might be a case of someone unlocking the ETSA once they have the additional information.

Hi,
For my case, this is the first time i have applied for ESTA ! Earlier i had an Indian passport which i had to renounce in aug 2023 as I can’t keep dual citizenship.
So, i have applied ESTA on Australian passport!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,
For my case, this is the first time i have applied for ESTA ! Earlier i had an Indian passport which i had to renounce in aug 2023 as I can’t keep dual citizenship.
So, i have applied ESTA on Australian passport!

Noted! The reason for my comment was that at least in some cases, an in-person visit to the embassy might get the block in the ESTA cleared, Since you were later successful in getting a visa in your indian passport, the system might still be blocking you in the basis of the denied one.

The embassy/consulate might be able to clear that.

 

[Vidhi17]

Noted! The reason for my comment was that at least in some cases, an in-person visit to the embassy might get the block in the ESTA cleared, Since you were later successful in getting a visa in your indian passport, the system might still be blocking you in the basis of the denied one.

The embassy/consulate might be able to clear that.

Yeah makes sense!! But in my understanding, i would need an appointment to visit embassy for visa related questions? I was thinking to call today but who will help! And interview date is not anytime soon! Next availability is in December!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah makes sense!! But in my understanding, i would need an appointment to visit embassy for visa related questions? I was thinking to call today but who will help! And interview date is not anytime soon! Next availability is in December!

That’s what i thought too… that you might need an appointment. but according to the post Inread, they simply turned up!

I don’t know if you have many options?

 

[Vidhi17]

That’s what i thought too… that you might need an appointment. but according to the post Inread, they simply turned up!

I don’t know if you have many options?

Also, my partner’s application who is on NZ passport has also been applied in a group! So he hasn’t also got any approval yet! And he has never been to states before & answered every question as No so clean case! But still no approval!

 

[Vidhi17]

Also, my partner’s application who is on NZ passport has also been applied in a group! So he hasn’t also got any approval yet! And he has never been to states before & answered every question as No so clean case! But still no approval!

Heyyy!!! I am so happy!! It’s approved!! 2 days before my travel!!! Yayy

 

[Karenkara]

I am confused about whether to answer yes or no to the in transit question. We are flying to LA spending a few nights and then flying to New York for one night and then joining a european tour which flies out of New York for 10 days. After the tour we are staying in New York for a few days, then flying to LA for one night before flying home. Would I answer yes or no to this question?

Many thanks
Karen.

 

[Mr_Tee]

I am confused about whether to answer yes or no to the in transit question. We are flying to LA spending a few nights and then flying to New York for one night and then joining a european tour which flies out of New York for 10 days. After the tour we are staying in New York for a few days, then flying to LA for one night before flying home. Would I answer yes or no to this question?

Many thanks
Karen.

What you have described is not a transit. That’s a stay.

 

[GrahamBRI]

What you have described is not a transit. That’s a stay.

Agree...... and I would also say, even if you were actually in transit, as the ETSA is for 2 years, I would be inclined to tick no to the transit question as you can't change that selection for a future trip (under the same ETSA application).......... not sure if anyone has ever has experience with that scenario?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I am confused about whether to answer yes or no to the in transit question. We are flying to LA spending a few nights and then flying to New York for one night and then joining a european tour which flies out of New York for 10 days. After the tour we are staying in New York for a few days, then flying to LA for one night before flying home. Would I answer yes or no to this question?

Many thanks
Karen.

Answer no.

 

[Karenkara]

Great thanks!

 

[encryptededdy]

Agree...... and I would also say, even if you were actually in transit, as the ETSA is for 2 years, I would be inclined to tick no to the transit question as you can't change that selection for a future trip (under the same ETSA application).......... not sure if anyone has ever has experience with that scenario?

I have an ESTA that I used for transit only that I was still able to use for future trips which weren't transits

 

[worldhopper]

Hi Hive,

Just wanted to see if anyone has similar situation/experience with entry to US (LAX specifically).

What I have :
1. I hold a multiple entry B1/2 - visa on my non-VWP passport [Passport A] - (both passport and visa are current (expires in say, 9 years time, valid for travel)

2. I have also recently acquired Australian passport [Passport B] very recently in the last few months.

(Both passports have the same name and DOB)

What I want:
1. I would like to travel on my Australian passport for the reason being that I would want to make use of the Mobile Passport Control to fast-track immigration at LAX.

What my problem is :
1. I am not sure if I can apply for an ESTA on my Australian passport [Passport B] as I currently hold a visitor visa on Passport A - given the precondition to apply for an ESTA is not holding a visitor visa.

So, my question :
1. Can I apply for an ESTA with Australian Passport? - My concern is having an ESTA rejected then I will forever be damned whenever I want to travel to US, which means going to the consulate, applying for a visa etc etc...and I do not live in a capital city where there is a visa-processing consulate (so more time, money wasted)

2. If I can't, can I enter US with my Australian Passport however, using the B1 visa I have been approved for on Passport B?

3. What are my options for MPC given my slightly tricky situation?

I have emailed CBP for some clarification but thought I pick the brains of the community here as well.

 

[Pushka]

Weirdly I just got the Pending. There was nothing abnormal ticked in my application.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Weirdly I just got the Pending. There was nothing abnormal ticked in my application.

That’s usual? At least for me, I’ve always had to wait an hour or so.

 

[Pushka]

That’s usual? At least for me, I’ve always had to wait an hour or so.

Thanks. I couldn't remember from 2019. Started second guessing I'd answered something wrongly. I did do a first search here which tended to suggest it was almost immediate. Their warning 'not necessarily negative' is not the least bit reassuring.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. I couldn't remember from 2019. Started second guessing I'd answered something wrongly. I did do a first search here which tended to suggest it was almost immediate. Their warning 'not necessarily negative' is not the least bit reassuring.

I’ve never had an ‘immediate’ response.

You can refresh your application by going into the portal and entering all your details, the status is reflected there before you get any official notification. It’s usually been an hour or less for me. Email sometime later.