B2 Visa after ESTA: "Travel not Authorized"

[Jusep 2]

I am an Spanish citizen. Last week I was filling a group ESTA form for my family and I, because we are traveling to USA for the week of the 21st December, Christmas Vacation. After I filled my relatives’ forms properly, in my application by error I answered “Yes” to the question “4) Do you seek to engage in or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide?” I don’t know if it was because a reading error, because the rush or because the hour, but obviously that ended up as a “Travel nor authorized for me” and “Travel approved” to my relatives. My answer to that question is “No”, and I didn’t realised I clicked on “Yes” until I had got my ESTA blocked.

Now they ask me to ask the Visa in my local embassy. Im devastated because my stupidity. Now, my question is how hard is getting the B2 visa from Spain due to an error of this kind. Not for now, but for the next year that we are going to travel again. I am 26 years old, I have a permanent job working as a public servant, I also have an apartment on property. I have never visited any country like Iran, Irak or Siria, but one of my parents is from Irak.

And, now I’m not eligible for the ESTA program for ever? I’m scared if due to this stupid and huge mistake I will never be able to visit the United States.

Thank you for your time reading this.

[igoyougoduke 1,674]

ESTA is gone its gone forever. you will need to convince the consulate officer for B visa. 

[Jusep 2]

3 minutes ago, igoyougoduke said:

ESTA is gone its gone forever. you will need to convince the consulate officer for B visa. 

Thanks for the answer. And do you know how hard is that in my situation?

[Dashinka 24,717]

It really depends on if you can satisfy a CO for any subsequent B2 application.  Overall, it appears to be a simple mistake, but obviously they take this question seriously, so when you do apply for a B2, you will be asked about it.

 

Good Luck!

[Jusep 2]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

It really depends on if you can satisfy a CO for any subsequent B2 application.  Overall, it appears to be a simple mistake, but obviously they take this question seriously, so when you do apply for a B2, you will be asked about it.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you for your answer! It is a simple mistake but really huge... I've phoned the CBP and the girl on the phone told me that it happens a lot, and that the CO would understand it, but reading stories on internet about interviews after denials on the ESTA makes me feel scary. She also told me that ESTA is not gone forever, but as I heard it is, so I don't know. I have prepared more than 20 documents to prove my roots with Spain, and I will go to the interview very carefully anyway.

 

I don''t know if someone have been in my weird situation, and which documents I should present.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Jusep

[carmel34 3,650]

46 minutes ago, Jusep said:

I've phoned the CBP and the girl on the phone told me that it happens a lot, and that the CO would understand it

CBP is a different US govt. agency than DOS/Spanish Embassy, who will consider your future application for a tourist visa, so I would recommend that you go directly to the embassy website or send them an email if you have any questions about the visa process.  When you eventually get a B2 visa interview, tell the officer what happened and they may be sympathetic and approve your visa, but it will mostly depend on your strong ties to Spain.  Good luck! 

[millefleur 5,047]

I would bring clear evidence of purpose of travel as well, such as itinerary or other info about what you plan to do in the US. You need to show that you don't have any nefarious intentions and that it was an honest mistake. Probably best to wait and apply closer to the date of your next planned visit if possible, might look desperate/suspicious if you rush over there immediately trying to get a B.

 

3 hours ago, Jusep said:

I have never visited any country like Iran, Irak or Siria, but one of my parents is from Irak.

This could make it worse, you may end up with extended AP. Just be prepared that there might be a long wait as the answer plus relative from Iraq will probably trigger deep background checks. They might also ask you about your relatives at the interview, so I would prepare to be grilled.

[Jusep 2]

2 hours ago, carmel34 said:

CBP is a different US govt. agency than DOS/Spanish Embassy, who will consider your future application for a tourist visa, so I would recommend that you go directly to the embassy website or send them an email if you have any questions about the visa process.  When you eventually get a B2 visa interview, tell the officer what happened and they may be sympathetic and approve your visa, but it will mostly depend on your strong ties to Spain.  Good luck! 

It scares me that I depend on the mood of a CO, I heard terrible stories about people that were quickly denied. I have salary above the mean compared to Spain, and I own an apartment (which I'm going to rent soon), I also have a mortage and my family lives here, I suppose I can defend my strong ties to Spain, but I don't really know...

 

 

2 hours ago, millefleur said:

I would bring clear evidence of purpose of travel as well, such as itinerary or other info about what you plan to do in the US. You need to show that you don't have any nefarious intentions and that it was an honest mistake. Probably best to wait and apply closer to the date of your next planned visit if possible, might look desperate/suspicious if you rush over there immediately trying to get a B.

 

This could make it worse, you may end up with extended AP. Just be prepared that there might be a long wait as the answer plus relative from Iraq will probably trigger deep background checks. They might also ask you about your relatives at the interview, so I would prepare to be grilled.

Sure thing, I will try to get an appointment before the next summer, when I've planned to travel. I will try to carry a hotel reservation and an itinerary of my plans. I don't have a close relationship with my father, so it will be difficult bringing documents about him. But he usually travels to the USA due to he has an engineering job for an airline. So I hope that proving his identity and his job will be enough.

 

Thank you very much for your information!

Edited December 21, 2021 by Jusep

[igoyougoduke 1,674]

6 hours ago, Jusep said:

Thanks for the answer. And do you know how hard is that in my situation?

it will ok and its a mistake. dont beat yourself about. make sure to take all evidence for your visa interview and have a plant for your trip like tickets, where you would go, where you will stay. 

[millefleur 5,047]

3 hours ago, Jusep said:

It scares me that I depend on the mood of a CO, I heard terrible stories about people that were quickly denied. I have salary above the mean compared to Spain, and I own an apartment (which I'm going to rent soon), I also have a mortage and my family lives here, I suppose I can defend my strong ties to Spain, but I don't really know...

You sound like you have a very good situation, plus I assume you've been to the US before and returned back to Spain? I think everything will be OK. It's more just a formality that they need to double check given the mistake answer you put down. You're not the first person to make a mistake and you won't be the last, try not to worry and hopefully you'll get the B visa eventually.

[Jusep 2]

1 hour ago, igoyougoduke said:

it will ok and its a mistake. dont beat yourself about. make sure to take all evidence for your visa interview and have a plant for your trip like tickets, where you would go, where you will stay. 

That's the difficult part right now, a small mistake that has so terrible consequences. I have already made a list of more or less 30 documents to present. Thank you for your words and for your help.

 

44 minutes ago, millefleur said:

You sound like you have a very good situation, plus I assume you've been to the US before and returned back to Spain? I think everything will be OK. It's more just a formality that they need to double check given the mistake answer you put down. You're not the first person to make a mistake and you won't be the last, try not to worry and hopefully you'll get the B visa eventually.

Yes! I have been in New York in 2013 because an exchange program of my high school, I have stayed there around 16 days. Thank you for the cheering, I will report about any update.

 

By the way, the documents I have to present in the embassy for the B2 have to be officially translated to english?

 

Thanks!

[Boiler 45,907]

It is very rare for the Consulate to look at documents, they are interviewing you not documents and they simply do not have time. Normally 3 or 4 questions and that is it. They have most of sometimes all the information they need on the application.

[millefleur 5,047]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

It is very rare for the Consulate to look at documents, they are interviewing you not documents and they simply do not have time. Normally 3 or 4 questions and that is it. They have most of sometimes all the information they need on the application.

I've known people who got approved for B visas where they did actually ask for documents and actually looked at them. So, even though it's rare, still makes sense to bring them. You never know what they will ask for until you get in front of the window.

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

1 hour ago, Jusep said:

By the way, the documents I have to present in the embassy for the B2 have to be officially translated to english?

No they can be in Spanish. 

[Coco8 1,042]

Take paperwork showing ties to your country. B2 is harder to get than ESTA. So, sure, the mistake is plausible and that won't be a problem. The issue is that the bar for a B2 is higher.