Ross_s

You have no immediate plans so you can wait. Try ESTA again when you have and then if that fails take a view on the B2.

I planned on being in New Orleans for Halloween.

Probably gonna apply for B1 visa in the next few weeks.

Back to Belfast I go then I guess.

Yeah that one time...

I guess my trips to the US are as good as over.

I'm not overly skilled in a professional capacity, I don't own any property I rent privately. I'm not married and don't have children so there's not really anyway I can prove that I must return to the UK.

It was fun while it lasted I guess.

Those letters were worthless but corroborating your story with a friend is valuable. They do that.

I'm surprised with such suspicious letters that they let you in though. There is no such "legality" that could hold them responsible anyway.

Who brings a trunkful of letters? That's weird, man.

I was advised to do so by a senior member of this forum.

Well if you don't apply you won't get it. I say apply.

Your ESTA was denied because the B2 visa was denied.

When I arrived at the port authority I had letters from my many friends in the US offering to be legally held responsible if I failed to return to the UK.

I'm not sure how effective they really were but the port authority called my friend that I was going to stay with to verify details before allowing me to continue my journey.

Yeah I guess I can forget about any future vacations to the U.S by the looks of things!

Travel Not Authorized

You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may be able to obtain a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the United States Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa.

Never pointless, I have seem some weird things. But a long shot.

The normal B2 is 10 years multi entry, sometimes they are issued for a shorter period single entry.

Ok this was the message I got.

So I'm guessing it'll be passed to someone who makes a decision it.

Hopefully given my travel history having entered the country on an ESTA and leaving with no issues multiple times. And also that I was permitted entry after having been declined a B2 should work in my favour?

At the end of the day nothing is booked so I'm not at any financial loss if it doesn't work out my way. But It'd be really gutting to be faced with the prospect of not being able to go on Holiday and visit my friends in future.

I really wish I never applied for the B2 visa in the first place really dumb move that I'm gonna no doubt be made to regret for a long time.

I assume your Girlfriend can travel under the VWP and would have no issues with ESTA.

As far as you are concerned I am not clear if you updated ESTA with your visa denial. If you did not and travelled and entered then I have no idea what would happen next. I have never seen someone do that.

You do not have to wait, you can apply for a new ESTA today and see what happens.

If you did not update ESTA and are declined then I would guess that another B2 application would result in an ever quicker no.

Yeah she's able to travel using the VWP.

I didn't update my ESTA prior to travel, it was flagged upon arrival by the port authority. But I was still permitted entry by the agent who believed the innocence of my trip after checking some documentation and my bank statement.

So yeah I'd be applying for a brand new ESTA as my previous one expired in November.

But what I'm really wondering is, if my ESTA is declined this time would a B2 application be pointless?

And if granted a B2 for this trip will I have to apply for a B2 every time I wish to go on Holiday to the US?

but you forgot to tell us where you were working in New Orleans....and I'm not your bloody 'mate.'

Getting a little aggressive there sir.

You need to calm down and relax.

No doubt we are about to hear about all of your good friends who are the most philanthropic individuals on the planet, who, without a care in the world of their own, are gladly letting you stay with them at no charge, who are buying your meals, loaning you their car and paying for gas, and taking you to the movies 3 days a week, including popcorn....sure....who wouldn't believe that?

What a lovely person you are.

It seems you are replying as though you think I've yet to travel or that I'm currently there. You're response is a tad confusing...

However I managed my entire vacation on a budget of $500 per week.

And yes I did stay with a friend who didn't even want to accept my offer of a contribution towards his household bills for the duration of my stay.

In the end he reluctantly accepted $300

It's a shame that you don't have friends like I do and that such friendships seem alien to you.

I really feel for you mate, I do.

No to the former and when the thread got silly, well....

No probs mate.

I'm actually back for some more advice can you believe that?

Anyway maybe you or someone else will be able/willing to answer my questions.

I would like to go on a 16 day vacation with my girlfriend to New Orleans in October, to introduce her to my friends there and show her the city that I've fallen in love with.

The question is this.

If upon applying for a new ESTA I get declined and I have to go back to Belfast and potentially face the same woman again. ( Which I'd imagine has a real strong chance of happening)

How should I prepare for this in order to satisfy whomever I am interviewed by.

Should I attempt to explain my previous situation and that I'd naively applied for a visa I didn't even need.

Is there now a precedent set in which my application will be under heavier scrutiny than others given my refusal last year.

And lastly has anyone been in a similar situation to myself and if so what was the outcome.

I could not remember what I posted so looked back to see.

I do not fall into any of those categories.

You had misinterpreted my situation and tried to poke fun at my unfortunate position.

I returned to Scotland as intended 12 weeks after arriving.

It's amazing that all of those who were so quick to call me a liar and post nasty and rude comments towards me never had the humility or decency to offer an apology when it was proven I wasn't being untruthful...

I honestly thought this was a forum where you could seek help and support not snide remarks and accusations.

Just thought I'd come and update this thread to confirm that VWP entry was successful and I'm currently in New Orleans, I was flagged at port of entry but the Port Authority made some quick checks over my documentation, contacted my friend I'm staying with and then sent me on my way!

Really some horrible jumped up Internet hero's around here!

Enjoy your lives and I hope with all my moral fibre you get what y'all need, this is my last post here... Thanks for all the helpful comments! Peace x

Nice job Pauli, I thought it all sounded unplausable.

It's so nice to see how much glee others take in this... I applaud you!

Because you were looking to get to stay in the US for 6 months to a year without actually being here illegaly, you wanted an out if you decided you didn't want stay permanently, you said it in your other post. You were going to got to New Orleans, work for one of your buddy"s, and if you liked it, you were going to stay. The one thing that stopped you cold in your tracks is your ignorance of the US immigration laws. I'm glad you "did it your way".

Here's your original post for you to mull over before you ask me why I don't believe you or trust you again.

Since my original post it became very apparent I would not be able to have a working holiday, therefore I was intending to undertake the next best thing available!

Why do you have to be so nasty?

Do you take pleasure in the misfortune of others?

No you don't. As explained to you earlier, your existing ESTA is now void because you were denied a visa.

And you can validate this how?

As I checked it merely a few hours ago and it's still showing as active until September!

So have you re done Esta?

I still have an active ESTA from beforehand, the only reason I applied for the visa was as a precaution on the off chance I was able to stay longer, 4 month was realistic 6 was possibly unlikely.

Obviously now if I reapply for an esta there's a strong chance it's gonna decline, so I'm in two minds... Do I now garner evidence to ties and written statements from friends claiming responsibility in ensuring I do not overstay, written evidence from my employer to support that I'm integral in the expansion of his business and I provide him wi more than just a bartender?

And once I have gathered this evidence do I go back to Belfast? Or do I assume travel on my existing ESTA and then present the evidence to the port authority?

This whole thing stinks of an overstay,

Then why did I not just travel using the VWP and then overstay?

I'd love to read a LOGICAL, COHERENT explanation as to how this could take place..........................

Ok, here you go! I work for a close friend whom I tend the bar is his main pub that is part of a rapidly expanding chain of what is now 9 bars and 1 night club. He himself leads a bit of a jetsetting lifestyle always on lengthy vacations around the world he's just back from Vegas and intends to travel route 66 in October.

Anyway he fully supports what I wanted to do granted me up to 6 months unpaid leave and told me if my cash where to run dry he'd support me or help with flight costs home!

Ok so that's how I'm physically able to leave my job.

I intend on returning to the UK to study business administration after my trip!

I first visited New Orleans for football being a massive saints fan I decided to go to the season opener in 2010 through a forum I met some amazing friends and decided that it was possible to extend my trip longer than a planned 2 weeks. I had just finished up studying and decided to take some time out!

I stayed there for 3 months on a little over 3k I paid a third of the household bills at my friends which he shares with another friend. I paid a third of the groceries and we all took turns each to cook. I had already paid in full for a Saints season ticket at face value from my friend!

I spend huge amounts of time outdoors indulging activities which cost very little, like hunting and fishing! And when I'm doing these things I'm also camping!

So no, I have never leached from anyone! And yes it's very pheasible!

What is your problem anyway? Really? You seem to have took this personally all I asked for was a little guidance not jumped all over the top off when I'm already feeling pretty low and distraught at what's happened.

Right, my original thread prior to this is very honest! Would I love to stay in the US? Absolutely... Could I have worked illegally last time? Absolutely... Could I have abused the VWP? Absolutely! Did I do any of these things? No! Did I tell any lies to you lot? No!

It has became obvious to me that me finding LAWFULL employement in New Orleans is never going to happen! So I was quite happy to go visit my friends and yes $7000 is plenty enough! And as soon as my money dried up I was gonna head home!

If I was going there unlawfully why did I not just travel on my ESTA fly into Chicago or Orlando on a contrived vacation catch a bus to Nola and just vanish?

The answer is simple! I had and still have full intent on returning!

I've got thick skin the accusations made by some members do not bother me, the mocking and laughing doesn't either! My story is 100% truthful the only thing I've been guilty of is naievity.

Thanks for all the actual help offered in here though I do really appreciate it.

It's amazing that my vacation has been trashed by just merely doing the right thing and telling the truth and following protocol!

You can try again for 90 days under the VWP, hopefully they'll let you in. But remember, your life is NOT in the US, you need to provide proof of that at all times.

Can I travel on my existing approved ESTA?

If I have a hard time believing your original story, then a customs officer will rip it to shreds. You should never lie to a customs officer, but you need to maintain a realistic lifestyle when traveling abroad. If you were some spoiled rich kid with unlimited funds and no job to return to because Daddy pays for everything, your story would make a bit more sense, but only having $7,000 to last up to 6 months, is not realistic, neither is claiming that your job will be held for you for that long. Not to mention the amount of time you've already spent in the US previously.

So what should my next step be to take a vacation in the US

Regardless of the cause of my being declined I would appreciate any help in advising me going forward please.

Sorry, but your story simply isn't realistic.

So I should have contrived another story?

Sorry, but that woman did NOT do anything....YOU did....look at the totally illogical nature of your request...

(a) a bartender does NOT get 6 months paid vacation

(b) there is no realistic possibility that your 'job' will be kept on hold during your 6 month 'vacation.'

© bartending is a very portable job....one that can easily be continued in the US

(d) $7000 would not last 8 weeks while 'vacationing' in the US...and no, no one is going to believe that your friends will foot the bill for your food, housing and entertainment for that entire period....no one has friends like that.

(e) your uncertain, shifting answer as to why you 'must' spend 6 months in the US, backtracking to 90 days or maybe more than 90, etc...did little to establish confidence in the VO.

the denial is NOT the fault of the VO....after all, who was the applicant? You. Who has the responsibility of convincing a VO of your true intentions? You.

Whose 'fault' was this denial? Yours. Period. Trying to blame a nameless, faceless person won't (a) change the decision nor (b) generate any useful sympathy.

Bottom line: a six month 'vacation' for someone of working age makes little sense. And $7000 is a pittance for supporting one's self for six months in the US.

Well I was nothing but truthful, I was already set to go for another 90 days and it was suggested On this forum that I should apply for a B-2 visa and $3000 was plenty enough to keep me for 90 days previously. My job is being kept open for me! So what you are telling me is that I've been punished for not lying?