ESTA form denied then approved! (page 2 of 2)

Hello,

You’ll need a B2 visa: http://french.france.usembassy.gov/niv/tourisme-affaires.html It’s too late for you, but for anyone who might face an "overstay" against their will, you can request a 30-day extension of your Visa Waiver Program from USCIS (for valid reasons, of course, like a medical emergency or canceled flight): https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1024/kw/overstayed%20still%20esta/session/L3NpZC9HWXhNY3N0bA%3D%3D

However, if your ESTA is denied, there’s no point going to the airport—you won’t be allowed to board since you’re no longer eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.

Hi everyone.

I’m updating this post, which is already several years old, to add my personal experience. First of all, a big THANK YOU to you for sharing that number, which saved my life (well, my flight ticket ^^) and now lets me sleep at night . I filled out my ESTA application yesterday. I completed everything correctly, but at the last question, where it asks, "Have you ever stayed longer than the 90 days allowed by U.S. law?"—well, I answered YES because the "ever" threw me off!! And that mistake got me a DENIAL :( ... even though this is my first trip to the United States. So, just a heads-up that even a tiny mistake can cost you time, money, and stress before your trip. I called the number, and someone very calm and courteous reset my application (because if you reapply after a denial, it won’t work...) and told me to wait 20 minutes before redoing everything. And then—IT WORKED!!! YES! Hoping I won’t have any issues when I get there, anyway...

Goodbye everyone 😉

Hi, I’m updating the discussion! I had the exact same issue as you, Zdral—I messed up on the first question because "have you ever" really threw me off—ugh! I tried calling the number but no answer; it even hangs up sometimes... I’ll try again later. But if they agree to reset my application, should I answer "yes" to the question "Have you ever been denied a visa for the USA?" It’s a bit ambiguous for me... Thanks for your replies! I really hope it works out—I leave on April 6th... Especially since I already traveled 3 years ago and everything went smoothly; my ESTA was approved on the first try... Have a great day! !

"Have you ever stayed longer than the 90 days allowed by U.S. law?"

Really ambiguous, and I’m not kidding. Makes you wonder if it wasn’t a robot translating from English to French!

It’d be so much simpler to write:

Have you ever exceeded the 90-day limit...

Thanks for noting the number ;) excellent, it really helped me out!

The phone number is still valid. I used it this week for the same ESTA denial issue due to incorrect form filling (I had opened multiple applications). The immigration officer checked and confirmed it wasn’t actually a denial (so I had to answer "no" to the "visa refusal" question in the final questionnaire). No waiting period to reapply. Huge thanks to Gbelissa anyway, because it’s really hard to get info from the US Embassy in Paris. It’s just an answering machine that directs you to websites. Benoit

Hello,

Eight years after this exchange, I stumbled upon this forum... Indeed, today, in 2017, I had the same problem! Two days before taking a flight to NYC, my ESTA application was denied without any explanation. After searching a bit online, I found this forum... And the immigration services phone number shared by Gbellissa in 2009 is still active! Unbelievable!! I called that number in desperation and reached an agent who was perfectly clear, polite, and understandable. They immediately accessed my file using my passport number. In my case, the application was denied because I had reported my passport lost... six years ago! I later found it again, over a year afterward, but this report was clearly not recorded by the French police or transmitted to Interpol! My issue isn’t resolved, and I have to cancel my trip. But this situation could happen to anyone!

Anyway, for any ESTA issues, the U.S. Embassy won’t help you. Instead, call +1 202-344-3710. Good luck! Cyril

Hello,

Eight years after this exchange, I stumbled upon this forum... Indeed, today in 2017, I had the same problem! Two days before taking a flight to NYC, my ESTA application was denied without any explanation. After searching a bit online, I found this forum... And the immigration services phone number posted by Gbellissa in 2009 is still active! Unbelievable!! I called that number in desperation and reached an agent who was perfectly clear, polite, and understandable. He immediately accessed my file using my passport number. In my case, the application was denied because I had reported my passport lost... six years ago! I later found it again, over a year afterward, but this report was clearly not recorded by the French police or transmitted to Interpol! My problem isn’t resolved, and I have to cancel my trip. But this situation could happen to anyone!

Anyway, for any ESTA issues, the U.S. embassy won’t help you. Call this number instead: 001 20 23 44 37 10. Good luck! Cyril

I don’t understand. For a whole year, you didn’t need your passport? Is that it?

Hi there,

On ALL the websites and forums about the US West, it’s clearly stated that you shouldn’t buy ANYTHING until your ESTA is approved... even if you’re "squeaky clean" and have had previous trips approved!!!

It doesn’t just happen to others—it happens every day. A case of mistaken identity, a glitch, a slip of the finger on the keyboard, and boom! You’re stuck with a visa application.

See you around,

Hi, I’ve applied for my ESTA more than 4 times now and it keeps saying "travel not authorized," and I don’t know what to do since I’m leaving on 04/16 through my works council. I can’t get through to the Washington service with Free—my number won’t go through. Any ideas? Thanks

This is gonna be tricky... You can try calling the number above: 001 20 23 44 37 10. But logically, if the ESTA is denied, you need to apply for a VISA. Did you answer "No" to all the questions? Did you visit any country that’s on the list of destinations banned for getting an ESTA?...

Hi, I tried calling but it doesn’t

work with Free, and I answered no to all the questions even though I’ve already been to New York twice—the last time was in 2013. I can’t figure out why it was denied, and I need to call the number, but I don’t speak English either.

Item 1 Item 2

How long did it take for the response to arrive after your request? What’s your nationality? Maybe you know someone who speaks English well and can help you out. Something must’ve happened in your life since your last trip to the United States… But for April 16th, that’s mission impossible.

So the day after my application, I'm French and haven't traveled to any of the listed countries, so I don't understand why. Yes, I'll have to try again. I'll check with my credit card to see if visa refusals are taken into account. Thanks for your feedback!

Also check if it's not your bank blocking the payment... You never know!

So the day after my request, I’m a French national and haven’t traveled to the listed countries, so I don’t understand. Yes, I’ll have to try. I’ll check with my credit card to see if visa refusal is covered. Thanks for your feedback.

It’s not just about travel. In 12 years, you can get married, divorced, etc. On the ESTA application, you also provide your social media accounts (the answer isn’t mandatory, but if you didn’t list them and you have an account, they may have checked). That can also influence the decision—otherwise, they wouldn’t ask. I don’t think credit card insurance covers trip cancellation for this reason, but try calling them.

From what I’ve read, the answer is no, so it’s not a payment issue.

I agree with you about the networks—thanks for the feedback!

Say "no" to all the questions... how many are there? Thanks

Approved in the end?...