19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Hi,
I was recently refused entry to the USA under the VWP when I was planning to travel there for 3 months and live with really close friends and travel the east coast.
I applied for a B2 visa at the US embassy before hand because I initially wanted to travel for about 5 months, however I was denied the visa because I came really unprepared for the interview and brought no proof of anything with me, which was obviously my fault.
I then decided to go out just for the 90 days under the VWP and didn't think I would have a problem. However, when I arrived in Philidelphia with my friends waiting outside for me, I was asked to go through for more questioning. After 7 hours of sitting in a room and being questioned, they decided to send me home, thinking that I was going to be looking for work while out there because I had no ties bringing me back until the next September when university started for me.
It was the most terrifying 24 hours of my life where I felt like a criminal. I'm not sure whether the amount of times I have been on holiday to the US went against me, because I have been 8 times and twice with a J1 visa for Camp America.
I know now that I can't travel under the VWP again, but I would just like to know where I stand now. the USA is one of my favourite countries, and I feel now that it's going to be impossible for me to ever go back.
For example say next year I want to go on holiday for 2 weeks with my friends to Florida, how do I go about it? Do I have to apply for a visa from the embassy every time I want to go on holiday? And how do I know that they are going to give it to me?
I feel trapped and that my whole life has just been ruined. I'm just an innocent 19 year old girl who was looking to do some travelling before my university course had started? Is this going to affect me for the rest of my life?
If anyone knows anything that can help me, It would be much appreciated.
Thanks
I was recently refused entry to the USA under the VWP when I was planning to travel there for 3 months and live with really close friends and travel the east coast.
I applied for a B2 visa at the US embassy before hand because I initially wanted to travel for about 5 months, however I was denied the visa because I came really unprepared for the interview and brought no proof of anything with me, which was obviously my fault.
I then decided to go out just for the 90 days under the VWP and didn't think I would have a problem. However, when I arrived in Philidelphia with my friends waiting outside for me, I was asked to go through for more questioning. After 7 hours of sitting in a room and being questioned, they decided to send me home, thinking that I was going to be looking for work while out there because I had no ties bringing me back until the next September when university started for me.
It was the most terrifying 24 hours of my life where I felt like a criminal. I'm not sure whether the amount of times I have been on holiday to the US went against me, because I have been 8 times and twice with a J1 visa for Camp America.
I know now that I can't travel under the VWP again, but I would just like to know where I stand now. the USA is one of my favourite countries, and I feel now that it's going to be impossible for me to ever go back.
For example say next year I want to go on holiday for 2 weeks with my friends to Florida, how do I go about it? Do I have to apply for a visa from the embassy every time I want to go on holiday? And how do I know that they are going to give it to me?
I feel trapped and that my whole life has just been ruined. I'm just an innocent 19 year old girl who was looking to do some travelling before my university course had started? Is this going to affect me for the rest of my life?
If anyone knows anything that can help me, It would be much appreciated.
Thanks
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
I applied for a B2 visa at the US embassy before hand because I initially wanted to travel for about 5 months, however I was denied the visa because I came really unprepared for the interview and brought no proof of anything with me, which was obviously my fault.
It was the most terrifying 24 hours of my life where I felt like a criminal.
I know now that I can't travel under the VWP again...
I would just like to know where I stand now.
I feel now that it's going to be impossible for me to ever go back.
Do I have to apply for a visa from the embassy every time I want to go on holiday?
And how do I know that they are going to give it to me?
I feel trapped and that my whole life has just been ruined.
Is this going to affect me for the rest of my life?
Ian
Last edited by ian-mstm; Dec 19th 2010 at 5:39 pm.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Thanks for your quick reply!
They wrote in my passport: Visa Waivel Refusal 7A1 (then a really long number) Philadelphia
I also have a I189 i think it is, which is a copy of the statement they took when I was questioned
Does this help?
They wrote in my passport: Visa Waivel Refusal 7A1 (then a really long number) Philadelphia
I also have a I189 i think it is, which is a copy of the statement they took when I was questioned
Does this help?
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,248
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Visitor visas are usually valid for 10 years, so you wouldn't have to apply for a new one for each trip. However, at the moment I think it's unlikely that you will be granted one soon. It might be better for you to apply again later next year, showing evidence of your ties to the UK.
#5
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Did you reapply for ESTA before you traveled and declare the visa denial?
That may not necessarily be the case. I'm not up on the specifics, but someone else will chime in on this. It comes down to the specifics of what happened at the POE.
You don't. Nobody is entitled to a visa. But you won't get one unless you apply.
I suspect the real reason why you feel your life is ruined, is because you have a significant other in the US and can't figure out how you are going to spend time with that person now. Am I right?
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Well, 7A1 usually means "immigrant without an immigrant visa" - so they thought you were trying to live in the US but didn't have the proper paperwork.
The numbers are important, so if you could post them, it might help.
Ian
... then a really long number...
Ian
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Thanks Marocco, I have working in a summer camp in the US for the past 2 years and am definitely looking to return there this summer from June to August on a J1 visa, which I have had twice before, is it likely that they will grant me this visa for camp? I don't know what I would do if they don't let me back to camp.
Discoviking: yes I did declare the refusal on the ESTA and they still granted me the ESTA so i thought everything would be fine.
Okay so say next year I want to go on a 2 week holiday to the US? I apply for a B2 visa and if they grant me it, it will be for a good few years?
I have no significant other in the US. From being at a summer camp for 2 years, I have some of my best friends in America now and was just hoping to live with my best friend and her family for a few months while on my gap year. I would hate for the rest of my life to be ruined because of a mistake i made at 19
Discoviking: yes I did declare the refusal on the ESTA and they still granted me the ESTA so i thought everything would be fine.
Okay so say next year I want to go on a 2 week holiday to the US? I apply for a B2 visa and if they grant me it, it will be for a good few years?
I have no significant other in the US. From being at a summer camp for 2 years, I have some of my best friends in America now and was just hoping to live with my best friend and her family for a few months while on my gap year. I would hate for the rest of my life to be ruined because of a mistake i made at 19
#8
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Did you disclose the visa denial when you completed the ESTA?
Last edited by crg; Dec 19th 2010 at 6:45 pm.
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
#10
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
That looks like an Alien Registration number, which is a unique identifier assigned to you. You do not want to post this number publicly. If you can still edit your post I suggest you blank it out, or ask a moderator to do it for you.
You will need this number on any future US immigration forms asking for an Alien Registration number.
You will need this number on any future US immigration forms asking for an Alien Registration number.
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
Thanks for that, was deleted immediately for me, someone asked me to post it :S
shows how much I know, thanks
shows how much I know, thanks
#12
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
I know, Ian was looking for a different code, something like 212(6)(ii). I made particular number up, but that would be the format. It refers to the section of immigration code used when you were sent home. It would be in your passport or on another piece of paper given to you.
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
I am not leaving anything out, all I wanted to do is what a lot of other people do on gap years and travel the US for a few months. With my friends fmily saying I could stay with them while I was travelling the East Coast, it sounded like the right time and place to do it.
I will be at university from Sept 2011 until 2014, I was never looking to work there or live there.
#15
Re: 19 Year Old on Gap year REFUSED ENTRY to USA on VWP, what's next? HELP!
I am not leaving anything out, all I wanted to do is what a lot of other people do on gap years and travel the US for a few months. With my friends fmily saying I could stay with them while I was travelling the East Coast, it sounded like the right time and place to do it.
Last edited by discoviking; Dec 19th 2010 at 6:43 pm.