browncat

Hello everyone, I came across this forum while looking for info online and hope there is someone who may have some advice or has encountered a similar situation.

I applied for ESTA for a 2 week holiday and was denied "travel not authorised"
I have no criminal record and an uncommon English name. I am eligible for ESTA and answered "no" to all questions. I am not born in, nor have I ever travelled to any middle Eastern country. This was to be my first trip overseas.

I don't know if the address I am staying at ( a muslim friend) in the US had any bearing on my application, but I don't know what went wrong.

Upon advice from ESTA helpline, I applied for a B2 Tourist VISA. I attended my interview and was told that it would take a couple of weeks to find out what happened with ESTA and I was put under Admin Processing. They asked for no documents eventhough I took all sorts with me.

Its now 4 months later and I am still under Admin Processing.

Is it usual that it would take this long?

Thankyou for any advice

Noorah101

Admin Processing can take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years. There is no way to get updates on the case. If you inquire, you'll just be told the case is processing, no details. Even if they tell you a time frame, it could take longer.

Rene

browncat

Yes, its so frustrating, I can't help but wonder if the address of contact in the USA had some bearing on the initial ESTA denial.

mikelincs

That is certainly a possibility, especially if your friend had come under scrutiny by homeland security for any reason.

browncat

My friend does have a common Muslim surname, though is a US citizen born in the USA. I don't know if they vet things like that or not.
Thanks for your post

tom169

Yes, it really wouldn't surprise me at all.

Sorry you've found yourself in this situation by apparently no fault of your own.

Only thing to do is wait.

browncat

Just thought I would give an update.

Well, there really isn't one, and I have now been stuck in Administrative Processing for close to 8 months, with no updates whatsoever to CEAC tracker. ( still shows original interview date).
Consulate tells me nothing, just that they have no updates.

My trip in June was cancelled, and now I am just stuck in limbo waiting.

Does anyone know whether or not I can reapply for ESTA, ( whilst still stuck in Admin processing) now that so long has gone by?

Many thanks for any help.

scrubbedexpat099

You can but expect the same result.

browncat

Yes, I wondered about that.
I cannot help but wonder why it takes this long, surely they have computers and the Agencies talk to each other. The whole process is baffling.

scrubbedexpat099

For whatever reason your situation is outside the Computers etc system. Agencies talk to each other?

browncat

The whole thing is difficult to understand, since I am eligible for ESTA to start with. Yes, agencies, meaning the security vetting Govt Departments etc. I'm surprised with todays technology that this takes so long, not sure if they have too many applications and not enough staff or what the issue is. It would be great if the Consulate could provide updates, but they too have nothing to offer as to the timeline.

scrubbedexpat099

They can tell you it is under AP, that is a sort of update.

There is a long spiel but it is a multi agency thingy and in many ways US Gov agencies are somewhat dysfunctional. We all have our examples.

Rete

You can always try again since your B2 request has not been denied so you don't have to answer yes to that question. I would leave off the contact name you have previously given.

Rimcricket

Noorah101

Hi Rimcricket,

You have responded to a few old threads here. My suggestion is to start your own thread, giving the details of your own case, and asking your own questions.

Rene
Moderator