My ESTA application was denied, can I go to the US by land instead?

7/25/2016 2:11:27 AM

ESTA approval “authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the United States under the VWP”: see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1072/~/about-the-electronic-system-for-travel-authorization-(esta). Lacking this approval, technically you’re only prohibited from boarding such a carrier under VWP, but not prohibited all travel under VWP.

However because you were denied, this means you were found ineligible to travel under VWP according to the answers you provided. Therefore it is important to know on which grounds your ESTA has been denied.

Why? Some of those grounds may make you inadmissible to USA at all (for example if you’ve committed certain crimes), in which case going over land would make no difference as you would be denied entry.

However other grounds may make you inadmissible to enter the USA on visa waiver only (for example if you claimed you intended to work in USA). In this case the denied ESTA will not make you inadmissible, and you can enter over the land IF the purpose of your visit is aligned with the visa waiver program. Expect skepticism from the CBP in this case, and make sure you bring all the documentation supporting your corrected statement.

Worth pointing out that even approved ESTA doesn’t guarantee entry into US.

9/9/2016 8:58:35 AM

ESTA is a registration for eligibility to travel visa-free by air or sea, and is not needed to enter by land. However, if you’re ever denied an ESTA, you can no longer travel visa-free at all, whether with or without an ESTA by land.

From the ESTA FAQ “The denial of a travel authorization only prohibits travel under the Visa Waiver Program and is not a determination of eligibility for a visa to travel to the United States”. Note: under the VWP altogether, not necessarily using an ESTA
esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1

What were the mistakes if I may ask? I would contact CBP again if I were you, as the answer could very well depend on the Person answering the phone

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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