VISA Waiver Program to USA

[serfty]

I'm just back from another trip to the US. We both had to apply for new ESTA & I don't remember the application being anywhere near as detailed last time. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere before, but both airlines we used (TG and OZ) required our ESTA approval details. I've never had this before, but they couldn't check us in without it. Luckily I was able to get onto the ESTA site to find the details when checking in in MEL, and then printed them out in the lounge, but it held us up for nearly 15 minutes extra at check in.

There is supoosed to be electronic linkage between the airline and the US CBP, but it is not always available.

That is why I endeavour to always have a printed copy of my ESTA with me when travelling.

 

[kpc]

There is supoosed to be electronic linkage between the airline and the US CBP, but it is not always available.

That is why I endeavour to always have a printed copy of my ESTA with me when travelling.

Excellent advice....the printed ESTA has saved me before!

 

[ychan]

What's the story with this strict vetting/ interrogation e.g. that Aussie author's experience at LAX??? Sounds awful the way she was treated! This will certainly put me off visiting USA for sure!!! Anyone here with insights to share?

 

[Simsy85]

sounds like the same thing my other half had... ironically not actually a USA thing... Aust govt.

 

[ychan]

sounds like the same thing my other half had... ironically not actually a USA thing... Aust govt.

Aust? Good Lord! we're becoming paranoid too? harassing ordinary folks too?

 

[AisleSeat]

What's the story with this strict vetting/ interrogation e.g. that Aussie author's experience at LAX??? Sounds awful the way she was treated! This will certainly put me off visiting USA for sure!!! Anyone here with insights to share?

As I read it, it seems as though extra staff have been put on and are inexperienced. (See the story about Henry Rousso who was also detained).
Mem Fox most likely had a B1 visa (seeing as she was attending/speaking at a conference). That visa is sometimes issued as a B1/B2 visa. At a guess, the border agent saw the B2 part of the visa, said she had the wrong one and so began the whole ordeal.

 

[ychan]

That's terrible, what's with these inexperienced buggers, it's no excuse. At the best of times these officials are already arrogant and heavy-handed, now it's even worse. Guess I'll consider putting USA in my Blacklist of places never to visit.

 

[whatmeworry]

IIRC the US has 2000 vacancies for their border force.

 

[trooper]

In 46 trips to the US I have never experienced "arrogant and heavy handed" CBP personnel.

Disinterested? Yes. No worse though than those one meets leaving/returning to OZ IME....

When I read these stories...and of course those about the TSA who I have ALSO never had a "bad" experience with I wonder 2 things...

1. What is it some people expect...a hug?

2. What do some people say TO them???? (I ask because I have personally witnessed one guy basically saying "How are you going to eff up my day this time?" which seems a counter productive approach to ME. (Ask yourself how YOU would react....)

Again.. I can only speak to my own experience..... but 46 trips without a sign of "heavy handedness"? It makes me wonder.....

 

[rabau]

Was looking for the email from ESTA which I couldn't find.

Went to the website to retrieve the individual application.

Entered the details but nothing shows up even though American Express have charged the US $14.00

Have re-entered the details 3 times on 2 different computers, any suggestions.

 

[PLANT]

How long does a ESTA take to process from application again?

 

[Dr Ralph]

How long does a ESTA take to process from application again?

I've received mine in under an hour. But I wouldn't recommend leaving it until the last minute.

 

[trooper]

Last one was a matter of minutes....I wonder if the next renewal will be that quick...given the stories here of extra questions etc?

 

[trooper]

Re: USA Visa Waiver approved - but just charged with a crime after

Your right.

So many crimes you can commit to be barred from the USA, yet their citizens can easily walk into a gun shop/show and pick up a few guns...

And you think that is a crime.. or that indicates criminal intent?

They can go and buy a truck or a fast car or a chainsaw too... whats your point?

(law abiding gun owner on my way home from an international competition.... 400 competitors..137,000 rounds fired in three days... Geee... no one hurt.. Just peeved by such comments)

 

[whatmeworry]

Re: USA Visa Waiver approved - but just charged with a crime after

And you think that is a crime.. or that indicates criminal intent?

They can go and buy a truck or a fast car or a chainsaw too... whats your point?

(law abiding gun owner on my way home from an international competition.... 400 competitors..137,000 rounds fired in three days... Geee... no one hurt.. Just peeved by such comments)

I guess if you can't infer what I mean by that, you just don't get it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Last one was a matter of minutes....I wonder if the next renewal will be that quick...given the stories here of extra questions etc?

I applied for one last week. Initially came back 'pending', but clicking 'refresh' (as suggested by google) and it was an instant confirmation.

 

[slinky123]

My advice is to apply way before travel. My daughter applied in February was declined eventhough she answered no to all questions. She went for her Visa appointment at the start of March. ( She is a Uni student going on her first overseas holiday for 2 weeks). She still has not received approval ( 7 weeks since her interview) Her interviewer mentioned that he will need to find out what went wrong with ESTA and her VISA has been put on hold pending investigation.

Apply as soon as possible, that way you have lots of time if you do need to apply for a VISA.

 

[serfty]

Was looking for the email from ESTA which I couldn't find.

Went to the website to retrieve the individual application.

Entered the details but nothing shows up even though American Express have charged the US $14.00

Have re-entered the details 3 times on 2 different computers, any suggestions.

Did you write down the number and/or print out the ESTA when you first obtained it?

 

[zaxis500]

greetings all, I had an interview with the US consulate in Melbourne in march where I was denied a visa as I have a past offence that I was not convicted of. The consulate officer was to apply for a waiver of ineligibility on my behalf. About 2 weeks ago I received an email asking me to send in my passport and DS160 confirmation page. There was no other information on the email apart from the passport and ds160 request. I was looking for any information from past experiences from people...by requesting my passport, does this mean my waiver is approved? how long after sending in my passport will I receive it back? any information will be greatly appreciated.

*apologies* At the top of the email it also stated this ***WE ARE REQUIRED TO ISSUE YOUR VISA NO LATER THAN 26-AUG-2017**

 

[slinky123]

greetings all, I had an interview with the US consulate in Melbourne in march where I was denied a visa as I have a past offence that I was not convicted of. The consulate officer was to apply for a waiver of ineligibility on my behalf. About 2 weeks ago I received an email asking me to send in my passport and DS160 confirmation page. There was no other information on the email apart from the passport and ds160 request. I was looking for any information from past experiences from people...by requesting my passport, does this mean my waiver is approved? how long after sending in my passport will I receive it back? any information will be greatly appreciated.

*apologies* At the top of the email it also stated this ***WE ARE REQUIRED TO ISSUE YOUR VISA NO LATER THAN 26-AUG-2017**

If you are sending your passport in that is great news Have you checked the CEAC site to see the status:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==


My daughter is still waiting from the 2 March interview ( Melb) , with no criminal background at all. In the scores of emails she has sent they keep telling her that once her Admin processing is cleared they will ask for her passport. Sounds like yours has been cleared. Its been a horrible process for us with cancelled travel plans and all.
Apparently once they have your passport it will take only a few days, they come back pretty quickly by Toll courier. Congrats on finally getting cleared