ESTA REFUSED

In recent years, the United States has imposed a series of security and immigration control measures, particularly at airports.

The United States Department of Homeland Security introduced the ESTA form to strengthen US homeland security as part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of 38 countries to travel to the USA without a visa.

When you complete anESTA application form, the U.S. authorities may refuse your request, blocking your access to the country.

The first thing to do is to reread the information given in the 3 sections of the form and check that it is all correct (typing errors, reversal of numbers or letters, married name instead of maiden name, omissions, etc.). If this is the case, you need to check the eligibility conditions.

THE ALTERNATIVE: THE USA TOURIST VISA

If you receive the reply “travel not authorized”, but wish to continue with your business or tourist travel plans, you can consult the various formalities to follow for a USA tourist visa application online. The refusal of a travel authorization prohibits you from traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not interfere with your right to obtain a USA tourist visa (or type B visa).

All you need to do is visit the U.S. State Department website at www.travel.state.gov. You’ll find full details of the procedure for obtaining a USA tourist visa instead of an ESTA.

Applying for a visa involves a higher cost and a longer process, including an appointment with a consular officer at the American embassy. So it’s best to check first why your ESTA application has been refused.

Warning: any false ESTA declaration in order to receive a positive response may result in a permanent ban on entry to the United States.