US visa waivers and travel to Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Syria

[RooFlyer]

What's shaping up to be an excellent Trip Report on Iran by skyringis here. I made the comment that I was prevented from making a trip there because going to Iran causes one to lose Visa Waiver status in the USA, and I needed that for work.

Some questions arose, so I thought this thread was in order.

The announcement from the US State Dept is here.

So if you, from a Visa Waiver country such as Australia have travelled to Iran, etc since March 2011, you will need an old fashioned visa (apply to embassy, wait, pay etc, etc) to travel there. Your ESTA will be cancelled. Now, I don't know the ins and outs of getting a US visa these days, and I imagine I would get one pretty easily, but as I need to be able to dart in and out of the US for my work in Canada, I don't want the hassle.

For me, Iran will have to wait a bit.

 

[JohnM]

Having a quick rummage around the State Dep't site suggests that once granted a visa it is valid for multiple visits and up to 5 years.

There seems to be a range of categories, though and I didn't rummage deeply into those.

If a visit to Iran triggered the need to get a US Visa (at a cost of US$160 it seems) and it lasted 5 years, then IMO that's not too onerous.

 

[Skyring]

Having a quick rummage around the State Dep't site suggests that once granted a visa it is valid for multiple visits and up to 5 years.

There seems to be a range of categories, though and I didn't rummage deeply into those.

If a visit to Iran triggered the need to get a US Visa (at a cost of US$160 it seems) and it lasted 5 years, then IMO that's not too onerous.

A five year visa is what I'll be aiming for. These are my travelling years, and an annual DONE4 via the US with its excellent opportunities for SC on six flights mapping into F, is my preferred route to WP.

Five years of ESTAs at $14 a pop adds up. Not as much as $160, but it's not a big difference.

How will my experience in the US differ with a visa as opposed to ESTA approval, I wonder?

 

[RooFlyer]

That's what I'm wondering too. I expect time at the 'immigration' counter will take a bit longer, not because a Visa entry should be more complicated than an ESTA arrival (you got on the plane, after all) but there will be a message pop up on the guy's screen saying something like "Eeeeek!! :shock: this guy's been to ... Iran!!"

What JohnM says makes sense. (BTW an ESTA lasts for either 3 or 4 years, so the cost is pretty low).

I haven't had a US visa in my passport since I was 18, so time for a newie!

 

[Dudditz]

That's what I'm wondering too. I expect time at the 'immigration' counter will take a bit longer, not because a Visa entry should be more complicated than an ESTA arrival (you got on the plane, after all) but there will be a message pop up on the guy's screen saying something like "Eeeeek!! :shock: this guy's been to ... Iran!!"

What JohnM says makes sense. (BTW an ESTA lasts for either 3 or 4 years, so the cost is pretty low).

I haven't had a US visa in my passport since I was 18, so time for a newie!

I've recently entered the USA three times (on a B1/B2 multiple entry visa) since my Iran trip last November and have experienced hassle free and fast entry. Not once has an officer even mentioned Iran so fingers crossed this continues. I'd gladly visit Iran again as it's a fantastic country with incredible people and a rich history.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm sold.


..

 

[Skyring]

I'd gladly visit Iran again as it's a fantastic country with incredible people and a rich history.

Not to steal my own TR thunder, but this was exactly my experience. Incredible beauty, friendly people, history that makes my head spin. We went through the main museum in Tehran, and there were cases of artifacts eight thousand years old. Seeing some of the objects from Perseopolis was a treat. But the Islamic art caught me. Such beauty and intricacy. Such delicate design. I could spend a week in the Islamic section, savouring every last piece. We only had forty minutes.

Tehran's traffic was impressive. "You have the best drivers in the world here!" I said admiringly to our driver as he threaded his needle through nine lanes of traffic. He must have been overcome with my praise, because he seemed to collapse over the wheel, his shoulders heaving with emotion.

 

[JohnM]

These are my travelling years, and an annual DONE4 via the US with its excellent opportunities for SC on six flights mapping into F, is my preferred route to WP.

We're on exactly the same page .

 

[JohnM]

I've recently entered the USA three times (on a B1/B2 multiple entry visa) since my Iran trip last November and have experienced hassle free and fast entry. Not once has an officer even mentioned Iran so fingers crossed this continues. I'd gladly visit Iran again as it's a fantastic country with incredible people and a rich history.

I guess the main difference is that it means is not being able to use the automated booths when entering LOTFAP?

 

[RooFlyer]

... which seem to be hit-and-miss anyway (in being able to use them / directed to use them).