ESTA approval after prior B2 denial.

[discoverusa 283]

Hello! 

 

My sister is planning to visit me in US this Summer. She was denied B2 Visa more than 20 years ago and never tried again. Our country is now eligible for VWP and she will have to apply for ESTA this time. How is the prior B2 denial affecting the chances of ESTA approval?

 

My sister traveled internationaly since then to several European countries without issues. 

 

Thanks!

[appleblossom 3,005]

21 minutes ago, discoverusa said:

Hello! 

 

My sister is planning to visit me in US this Summer. She was denied B2 Visa more than 20 years ago and never tried again. Our country is now eligible for VWP and she will have to apply for ESTA this time. How is the prior B2 denial affecting the chances of ESTA approval?

 

My sister traveled internationaly since then to several European countries without issues. 

 

Thanks!

Her travel to other countries isn’t relevant, she won’t be asked about it. 
 

As it was so long ago she might well be approved, but no way of knowing. All she can do is apply, answer all questions truthfully and see what happens. 

[OldUser 7,379]

20 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Her travel to other countries isn’t relevant, she won’t be asked about it. 
 

 

I'm sure forms ask for all trips in the last 5 years and whether person ever visited Syria, North Korea et al.

 

But successful travel to European countries doesn't mean approval for ESTA, in that regard it doesn't really matter.

Edited 5 hours ago by OldUser

[Boiler 45,979]

Obviously she ticks the box about being refused a visa and sees.

 

i have come across many people who have been approved for ESTA after being refused a B

[appleblossom 3,005]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

I'm sure forms ask for all trips in the last 5 years and whether person ever visited Syria, North Korea et al.

They ask about last 5 years travel for visas, not for ESTA. That just has the yes/no question about travel to Syria etc so there will be nowhere for the OP’s sister to mention her European travel. 
 

@discoverusa, just checking but you haven’t ever petitioned your sister? 

[discoverusa 283]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

They ask about last 5 years travel for visas, not for ESTA. That just has the yes/no question about travel to Syria etc so there will be nowhere for the OP’s sister to mention her European travel. 
 

@discoverusa, just checking but you haven’t ever petitioned your sister? 

I didn't petition my sister and have no plans to. Thanks for responding!

[appleblossom 3,005]

Just now, discoverusa said:

I didn't petition my sister and have no plans to. Thanks for responding!

 

Perfect, just checking she didn’t have a pending I-130 in the system as that may have reduced her chances.

 

Good luck to her.