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dpayne291

Advice wanted in regards to visiting USA from Canada

By dpayne291 in Tourist Visas

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dpayne291 Rookie

dpayne291   0

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Hi all,

Not sure if this is the best place to ask but I'm sure lots of you have experience with visiting the US.

I plan to move to Vancouver on a working visa in March. Of course, I would like to visit the USA sometimes, for short trips, whilst I am there as it is so close. However, I was unfortunately rejected for a work visa at the beginning of the year for the US and this has made the prospect of re-entering the country, even as a tourist, difficult. As I've been rejected for a visa then my ESTA will also be rejected meaning that I would have to go to the embassy to apply for a B2 visa.

So, I'm really not sure what to do. If I go to the embassy just before I move to Canada (whilst I still have a job in my home country), I would probably have to say that I plan to move to Canada and would like the visa to visit the US on short trips. However, given that they will be looking at strong ties to my home country (I am single, 28, and own no property in my home country), then it seems almost certain that my visa will be rejected as I have little ties to my home country (though I won't be intending on immigrating to the US).

So it's either that, or go to the embassy and not mention Canada at all (although, I'm bound to have to talk about specific travel plans to the US, so I guess that won't really work) - or try my luck on the border whilst I'm in Vancouver - as I won't need a visa/esta if I enter via train/car etc.

Thanks

JFH Grand Master

JFH   12,191

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37 minutes ago, dpayne291 said:

 as I won't need a visa/esta if I enter via train/car etc.

Thanks

The ESTA system and the VWP are separate entities. Whilst you won’t need to go through the ESTA process to enter by land, you still need to be eligible for the VWP to enter without a visa and with your history you could very easily be turned away. The land border isn’t a free-for-all just because there is no ESTA system. You still go through the same process as you would had you arrived by plane. You still have to declare your previous denial. The ESTA just allows you to board a plane so that you can present yourself at the border. An approved ESTA does not mean guaranteed admittance, not by a long way. 

Edited by JFH

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dpayne291 Rookie

dpayne291   0

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1 minute ago, JFH said:

The ESTA system and the VWP are separate entities. Whilst you won’t need to go through the ESTA process to enter by land, you still need to be eligible for the VWP to enter without a visa and with your history you could very easily be turned away. The land border isn’t a free-for-all just because there is no ESTA system. You still go through the same process as you would had you arrived by plane. You still have to declare your previous denial. The ESTA just allows you to board a plane do that you can present yourself at the border. An approved ESTA does not mean guaranteed admittance, not by a long way. 

Ah, i see, that's helpful to know thank you.

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,913

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Why were you rejected for a work visa?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

dpayne291 Rookie

dpayne291   0

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14 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

It seems to me it would make the most sense to apply for the B once you’ve moved to Canada, as you’ll then have a tie to show to Canada. You won’t need it before then anyway so why risk another unnecessary refusal in London?

Yeah that seems like the best option, though I'm sure i've seen people say that it's best to apply for visas from your home country. 

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,913

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You are leaving your home country.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,913

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So what has changed since your refusal to improve your position?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

dpayne291 Rookie

dpayne291   0

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59 minutes ago, Boiler said:

So what has changed since your refusal to improve your position?

Nothing, only that time has passed. By the time I would apply for it it would be over a year since the visa rejection. Unfortunately I can't just buy a house out of nowhere or summon a wife and kids just so that I'm allowed to go to the US. I would just like to visit the states in the PNW when I'm in Canada, on short, weekend trips.

Edited by dpayne291
Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,913

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Reading your post again have you actually tried ESTA?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 
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