ESTA Travel not Authorized. Accepted twice before!
Hope someone can give me some advice. On Friday I applied for the ESTA (a group application including my partner) we both were not authorized to travel. He just got his new passport on Thursday July 18 and I have my old one from 2016 still valid until 2021. We have gone twice to the US and in both years, both applications were accepted.
My plan is to go and possibly renew my passport to get a new one and reapply (individually) to see if maybe something was wrong with my passport or I didn’t check the third party box in the group application, that I found out you have to have checked if you are filling the application for someone else. I have the ESTA application from previous years and answered the exact same on everything. I don’t know what else to do. I’ll try to call the embassy as well to see if maybe they can help or know why.
I’m so scared that we won’t be able to go on vacation this August. Does anyone know why this may be possible?
This is what they responded when I asked them why it was denied.
We have determined that your ESTA application was denied because Customs and Border Protection received a requested for a refund of the $14.00 application fee. However, you have not been barred indefinitely from applying for admission into the United States, but, you must apply to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States. Pursuant to Section 217(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the only way to dispute an ESTA application denial is to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy and apply for a visa.
I applied on the official ESTA site
No I didn’t file a claim. When I finished the application and paid I saw the charge on my card. It’s the weekend and I can’t call my bank but I’ll ask them. I just don’t know what they would do to be honest.
Ok so..... I applied for the B1/B2 visa and they gave me an appointment for the 27 of August!! AND I LEAVE THE 18th! I requested an expedited appointment for the 5th of August and it’s still pending approval. So like an hour ago I check the appointment website and someone canceled!!! For the 9th August! Now I have two appointments one pending approval and one that’s official.
I haven’t felt so happy about something in such a long time. I was so stressed.
Just hope the say yes and approve the visa.
Best Answer
Renewing your passport won’t help, nor will contacting the Embassy or Consulate - they are not able to provide details about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial.
The only solution is to apply for a visa. From the ESTA website FAQs https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1:
If a traveler is denied ESTA authorization and his or her circumstances have not changed, a new application will also be denied. A traveler who is not eligible for ESTA is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and should apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Reapplying with false information in order to qualify for a travel authorization will make the traveler permanently ineligible for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
You could try inquiring via the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-trip but there are no guarantees that a request for redress through DHS TRIP will resolve the Visa Waiver Program ineligibility that caused your ESTA application to be denied.
Pictures about "ESTA Travel not Authorized. Accepted twice before!"
Can I travel twice on the same ESTA?
Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. As long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.Why is my ESTA not Authorised?
The most common reasons for rejection of ESTA application Had serious criminal records in the past and convicted, therefore under an appeal or discussion. In the past, applied for VISA or ESTA and it had been rejected. In the past, overstayed when visited the US.Can you enter the US multiple times on an ESTA?
There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa. However, if reentering the U.S. using ESTA soon after staying for nearly 90 days, you can expect to be questioned in detail by the immigration officer about the purpose of your visit.Can I reapply if my ESTA is denied?
If an ESTA is denied and the travelers circumstances have not changed, a new application will also be denied. If an ESTA is denied and the travelers circumstances have changed, a new application can be submitted, but there are no guarantees the application will be approved.What 10 things YOU must to know about ESTA travel authorization. Visa Waiver Program
More answers regarding eSTA Travel not Authorized. Accepted twice before!
Answer 2
CBP will deny future ESTA applications if they receive a chargeback for any previous ESTA application. I can think of two obvious ways this can happen: The first is that you disputed the charge on your card yourself. Though you say you did not do this. The second is that you applied for a previous ESTA through a third party web site, that third party applied for your ESTA and then disputed the charge to defraud CBP.
Answer 3
If you think this is a mix-up on the CPB side, you can try to apply again: all you risk is the processing fee of $4 per application (so $8 total for you and your partner), and if there were no charge-backs for your previous applications, the new application could get through.
I wouldn't hold my breath though: if there was a problem with your credit card, or your bank screwed up somehow, or the CPB made a record on your file (even if by their own mistake), the ESTA refusal will be permanent, and the only way to go to the US is getting a visa.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Mike B, Erik Mclean, Yelena Odintsova, Pixabay