How can I check if I am banned from travelling to the US?

I am a UK citizen and I last entered the US in 1998 under the Visa Waiver Program.

I overstayed the maximum permitted time, leaving after approximately 21 months total stay. At no time was I contacted about my stay whilst there or upon leaving.

I have heard that this incurs a ten year travel ban, but if so, this should have expired by now. Unfortunately I cannot find concrete information and the US embassy told me there was no expiry to a travel ban but did not give me specific information to my own situation.

How can I find out if I will be permitted to enter the country again as a tourist, whether under visa waiver, or applying for a visa, or not at all? Will there be fees involved? I don't want to end up being denied at the point of entry.

Sorry if I have missed any needed info to answer this question.

Best Answer

Some airports (including Dublin which is near you as you said you're in the UK) have pre-clearance facilities - this means you can clear customs and immigration before you fly, and find out if you will be denied entry before you arrive in the US.

From Dublin airport's webpage about this:

The US Pre-clearance (USCBP) facility at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport is a purpose built facility that allows US bound passengers to undertake all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at Dublin Airport prior to departure.

and

Passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid immigration queues upon arrival and pick up their bags and go.

I thought you could try clearing customs first and buying a ticket afterwards if that is successful but (as Zach Lipton mentions) this would not be possible, but at least it would still save you 2 long unnecessary flights if you did get denied. But you should try to get a visa before you get to this stage anyway.