Worth applying? Has anyone been approved or gotten entry with a similar background?

[plastictree487 7]

Just now, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

 

This is incorrect. VWP travelers do not need an ESTA to cross by land. Both my mum and a Swedish friend have successfully entered the US without an ESTA on the VWP. They do have to manually fill out I-94W which is a pain but doable.

 

However, a denied ESTA indicates an ineligibility for the VWP so attempting to cross at a land border after an ESTA denial may be ill advised in case CBP decide to do an expedited removal. It's up to OP whether they want to try for an ESTA first, or just try hitting the land border without.

 

Though OP can certainly try. They'll either be admitted, or probably asked to withdraw their application for admission, and be asked to get a B visa.

Thank you for your response. Yes, if my ESTA is rejected then maybe a B would be the most sensible, which maybe I'll wait another year/until I've got my Canadian PR for, that'll be nearly 5 years on from my rejection then.  

[plastictree487 7]

ESTA approved! I am very surprised. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

20 minutes ago, plastictree487 said:

ESTA approved! I am very surprised. 

Congrats! It seems the case that given enough time after a visa denial, they will approve an ESTA. Great news and happy travels!

[Boiler 45,905]

Sometimes a refused visa has no effect, sometimes you have to wait, never worked out a pattern

[SalishSea 18,072]

10 hours ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

 

This is incorrect. VWP travelers do not need an ESTA to cross by land. Both my mum and a Swedish friend have successfully entered the US without an ESTA on the VWP. They do have to manually fill out I-94W which is a pain but doable.

 

However, a denied ESTA indicates an ineligibility for the VWP so attempting to cross at a land border after an ESTA denial may be ill advised in case CBP decide to do an expedited removal. It's up to OP whether they want to try for an ESTA first, or just try hitting the land border without.

 

Though OP can certainly try. They'll either be admitted, or probably asked to withdraw their application for admission, and be asked to get a B visa.

ESTA is how eligibility for the VWP is established/determined.

 

US land border crossings for  citizens of VWP countries do not have ‘easier’ admission criteria than the airports do.  

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

32 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

ESTA is how eligibility for the VWP is established/determined.

 

US land border crossings for  citizens of VWP countries do not have ‘easier’ admission criteria than the airports do.  

Never said they did. Just that they didn't need an ESTA for a land crossing.

 

See my point about a 'denied ESTA indicates an ineligibility for the VWP'.

[plastictree487 7]

By the way, I came across this - https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-expands-esta-requirements-visa-waiver-program-travelers - ESTA to be required at land borders soon.