ESTA Denied For Syrian-Belgian Friend

[Nele 11]

Hi Everyone,

My good friend Ibrahim is Belgian with Syrian roots. He has the Belgian Nationality and a Belgian Passport.

He wanted to come travel through the States, NYC and LA, so he applied for his ESTA.

They asked him to come to the Embassy in Brussels for questions about his trip.

They obviously asked him a bunch of annoying questions about Syria, how often he goes there, etc. He last visited his family back home in 2011.
At the end of the interview the man told him he "wasn't convincing enough" and told him to try again next time.

Esta denied.

I am helping him apply again and am looking for tips to help him out.

Do you think taking family photo's of his trip to Syria will help? Things that prove he was just there on a vacay visiting his grandmother..
Maybe add emails of good ol' American friends he has in the States to prove he's not meeting terrorists here?

What do you think?

He's 21 years old, incredibly bright and a very talented musician and I can't get over this whole situation. They treated him very poorly and were incredibly rude to him at the Embassy. It's really infuriating to me tbh. He's Belgian so he should have no problem at all. He's a student, he works a nice job, his career is picking up, he has a clean record, never been in any kind of trouble what so ever!!!

Any and all advice is welcome!

Thank you so much.

xo

[Ketsuban 1,034]

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/01/251577.htm

Under the Act, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

• Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
  
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He can't get ESTA because of the changes to the rules. But he can try for a regular tourist visa (B2).

[Nele 11]

He can't get ESTA because of the changes to the rules. But he can try for a regular tourist visa (B2).

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

Consider reading the DOS link provided in the second response.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

Refuse, deny..they are all the same thing in this scenario.

He doesn't qualify. He can apply and go all the way to the end but same result.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

He cannot use ESTA/travel under the Visa Waiver Program until the rules change. He can apply for a tourist visa instead.

[KierenHby 899]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

Did you open the link?

Under the Act, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

• Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

These individuals will still be able to apply for a visa using the regular immigration process at our embassies or consulates. ..Beginning January 21, 2016, travelers who currently have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTAs) and who have previously indicated holding dual nationality with one of the four countries listed above on their ESTA applications will have their current ESTAs revoked.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

He is prohibited from using ESTA. He can get a B2 tourist visa. They are different things.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Can't - as in never?

Or can't as in - they can refuse him but it can also totally depend on who interviews him? Like, does he still have a shot?

He travelled to Syria in 2011 and thus no matter what he does (until such a time these restrictions are lifted), he will not be eligible to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program.

This is because the US is on high alert over ISIS and terrorism at present.

[Nele 11]

Consider reading the DOS link provided in the second response.

First it says no but then it says "case-to-case basis" and "we will continue to explore whether and how the waivers can be used for dual nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Sudan."

So basically it'll still depends on who you interview with?

Like, the whole thing is so vague??

[RodDetroit 118]

Hi Everyone,

My good friend Ibrahim is Belgian with Syrian roots. He has the Belgian Nationality and a Belgian Passport.

He wanted to come travel through the States, NYC and LA, so he applied for his ESTA.

They asked him to come to the Embassy in Brussels for questions about his trip.

They obviously asked him a bunch of annoying questions about Syria, how often he goes there, etc. He last visited his family back home in 2011.

At the end of the interview the man told him he "wasn't convincing enough" and told him to try again next time.

Esta denied.

I am helping him apply again and am looking for tips to help him out.

Do you think taking family photo's of his trip to Syria will help? Things that prove he was just there on a vacay visiting his grandmother..

Maybe add emails of good ol' American friends he has in the States to prove he's not meeting terrorists here?

What do you think?

He's 21 years old, incredibly bright and a very talented musician and I can't get over this whole situation. They treated him very poorly and were incredibly rude to him at the Embassy. It's really infuriating to me tbh. He's Belgian so he should have no problem at all. He's a student, he works a nice job, his career is picking up, he has a clean record, never been in any kind of trouble what so ever!!!

Any and all advice is welcome!

Thank you so much.

xo

Because of the terrorist attacks from middle eastern people with European passports chances are that he will have a really hard time getting any US visa, just because he has a Belgian passport doesn't mean we will be treated as a native one outside of Belgium. Actually European airports have been requested to question middle eastern people with European passport if needed , things are changing drastically for immigrants in Europe.

[az2014 381]

He's Belgian so he should have no problem at all.

But he's not Belgian. He's Belgian with Syrian roots. BIG difference as Syria = terrorism.

Visiting the US is not a right but a privilege. They have every right to deny entry to someone they don't trust.

[Nele 11]

But he's not Belgian. He's Belgian with Syrian roots. BIG difference as Syria = terrorism.

Visiting the US is not a right but a privilege. They have every right to deny entry to someone they don't trust.

Great. But that doesn't mean that this isn't very frustrating and incredibly unfair to some. I just wanna show my friend around my new hometown.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Great. But that doesn't mean that this isn't very frustrating and incredibly unfair to some. I just wanna show my friend around my new hometown.

Like others have previously mentioned, have him apply for a B1/B2 visa. Maybe he will be approved.

You asked the question about the ESTA program, you were given multiple appropriate responses, don't shoot the messengers. Whether you agree or disagree with the US government's policy change on the ESTA program is a moot point. Voice your concerns with your elected Federal officials....

Edited September 29, 2016 by Pitaya