ESTA Issue/Tourist visa?

[Bll21F 0]

I'm looking ( and hoping to) apply for a Tourist visa to get to the US.It wouldn't be for a while yet as i am still in the middle of saving up for it.

There are a few issues and concerns though.

I guess the main issue would be that I was approved, then denied an ESTA visa ( Back-story: I was 18 and a stubborn child,I wanted to go visit friends and explore, i went against my parents wishes and got as far as the airport here in the UK, the ESTA before this point had been approved, as i seemed to somehow have missed the flight, the next time i checked my email, i received an email saying the status had changed.) Forward to around Jan/Feb 2014(?) I applied again, to see if the status had changed. and the answer on the ESTA site was no, and that if i still wanted to travel, i would have to apply for a tourist visa. My parents notified the police, as of writing this, i have no idea what happened between my parents and the police at this point.

One of the other issues/concerns is that at the moment, i do not work. (The money i do get, i try and put a little away each time). I'm pretty sure that if i was given an interview for a tourist visa, they would ask if i work, i'd say no, then they'd ask how i'm getting income/ how would i be able to finance myself.

Those that have been through the interview process, what do they ask?

Also, from what i can understand from a different post on here, if an ESTA visa is denied, then a tourist visa is denied as well?

I understand that i cannot find out why i was approved, then denied the visa?

[Boiler 45,693]

Difficult to tell why your ESTA was cancelled, you think it was due to not making a flight you had booked, sounds unlikely.

I would wait until you have a job and saved up and try ESTA again, otherwise a B is the only option.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

ESTA is not a visa. Important to know that because you might say "yes" to a question asking of you have ever been denied a visa. Not yet, because you haven't applied for a visa. When your B2 is denied, then the correct answer will be "yes".

CBP says:

The most common reasons for denial are as follows--

On a previous visit, you stayed in the U.S. longer than you were authorized.

On a previous visit, you came as a visitor, but engaged in unauthorized work.

You were previously denied entry or a visa to the U.S. (See "Answers others found helpful" below).

You answered incorrectly to another VWP eligibility question. (See "Answers others found helpful" below), or

You are using a passport number for a passport that you previously reported lost or stolen (but later found).

If you believe you were incorrectly denied ESTA authorization you may go to the DHS/TRIP Web site and file a redress request through the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program. http://www.dhs.gov/dhs-trip

You may also email CBP and ask questions like if your parents reported your passport stolen or in any way caused your ESTA to be revoked. Were you a runaway?

Give the original application number, if you have it; the full name; passport number; date of birth of the applicant; contact phone number (including country code), as well as a description of what you think happened.

Email form https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask

Choose this subject-

ESTA / Visa Waiver Program

I have been denied ESTA or cannot board.

[mamaSue 38]

It might be worth asking your parents what they said or did, if anything, to have your ESTA revoked.

[Bll21F 0]

ESTA is not a visa. Important to know that because you might say "yes" to a question asking of you have ever been denied a visa. Not yet, because you haven't applied for a visa. When your B2 is denied, then the correct answer will be "yes".

So what you are saying there is that if i was to be asked if i had previously been denied a visa, i would say no?

As for if asking if i was a runaway?

I don't see it that way myself. I see it as wanting to explore the world at the age (back then) of 18. Looking at it now, I think i approached it the wrong way.

[Jawaree 718]

Had U been reported as a run-away? what did your parent report, ask them

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So what you are saying there is that if i was to be asked if i had previously been denied a visa, i would say no?

As for if asking if i was a runaway?

I don't see it that way myself. I see it as wanting to explore the world at the age (back then) of 18. Looking at it now, I think i approached it the wrong way.

You have not been denied a visa. Visa waiver means no visa is required to enter the US if you are British. ESTA is an electronic system to receive travel authorization...meaning they make sure you meet the requirements to travel without a visa.

The question about runaway was because I didn't know if you were considered an adult at 18 in the UK. Yes you were. I looked it up.

[Stressed Out 81]

Wouldn't hurt to just try again for the ESTA. It's only a few dollars to apply and the system decides whether you qualify or not based off of the answers to all questions. Sounds to me like you never committed any crime in "running away" at 18 and, as already stated, you never were denied a visa since the ESTA is a Visa 'Waiver' Program tool.

Whatever you do, don't apply for a tourist visa if you can just use an ESTA. If you get an actual visa denial, you're going to have to carry that history with you forever. My poor husband's already been detained and questioned twice, even with me travelling with him. So far you seem to have a clean record, so keep it that way.

[Bll21F 0]

Right, so, i Emailed CBP, and i have an answer. not a good one though. It says:

'After careful review, your ESTA application will remain denied. due to privacy laws, information cannot be disclosed. you will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa at the US embassy'

That's bad, isn't it?

Being a 22 year old, i don't understand much of this, they're saying they are never going to allow me an ESTA?

[Boiler 45,693]

I am not sure what age has to do with it, seems pretty straightforward.

They did not say for ever, if say you were looking again 10 years hence I would definitely give it another go.

[Bll21F 0]

I'm sorry. I meant that I'm now 22 (as mentioned, this was all when i was 18...so...5 years ago?) and i don't really understand much of it.

So best option is to wait a bit longer and keep trying? Or just to leave it?

[Boiler 45,693]

You can apply for a B2 now, does not cost much,you might even find out what the issue is or an inkling anyway.

Seems a long shot but no harm trying.

[Bll21F 0]

I could do that. I thought that I'm not allowed to know why they denied me it?

But like you said,it's a long shot, but worth trying.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

I would first see if you can find out from your parents what they might have done - did they report your passport stolen for example?

If they did and that is potentially having an effect on the ESTA application, then I would apply for the B2 visa and go to the embassy and see what happens.

[Bll21F 0]

My parents don't actually remember what they said... Where do i go from there?

I know i'll never really know why it's been denied when it was approved before, because of privacy laws.