Does you know anyone who was denied entry in to the US trying to use the Visa Waiver Program?

Question

If so, why were they denied entry?

Answer 1

Yes. If you applied for a resident visa and haven't gotten one yet, and the authorities are aware of that, they'll deny you entry. Furthermore, if you have an existing visa such as a student visa, and the underlying reason you got the visa in the first place is no longer valid, e.g. you are no longer a student, then you must apply for a tourist visa as you give up your visa waiver privileges when you APPLY for any other visa programme. (Even if you were rejected.) The supposed logic behind it is that once you have shown interest in US residency, you are no longer automatically assumed to be risk-free as far as returning at the end of your stay goes.

PS If you ever overstayed a visa or the 90 day stay that you are entitled under VWP you will be denied entry - but only if the authorities are aware of it. Say if you last did it in the 80s or low 90s they won't know. Else they probably wouldn't make you any problems if it's feasible that you went out of the country through Canada or undocumented. But if you have been caught then you're gonna be denied entry. Furthermore, the entire VWP is dependent on the whim of a high-school-dropout Immigration Officer, and you have almost no appeal rights. (Don't get high hopes from the signs claiming that you do - you don't. The officer will probably appear in court with his two buddies saying that you told him that you plan to bomb capitol hill AND lay his sister.)

Answer 2

if using the waiver program ,you should not be denied , unless there are criminal records , or refused before ..... i do not see and know of any other reason ..........

Answer 3

The US border patrol has no information regarding people who entered the country, then got a visa to be here. The border patrol only knows about people who came into the country. For instance, I can go to Canada. The US border agency does not know I went to Canada until I try to come back. If I have a valid US passport this is okay. The problem is if you are not a US citizen and leave the country, then try to come back into the US the border patrol does not know when you left, how long you have been gone, or where you went to.

A british friend of mine was denied entry (he is also a member of the US military) because he did not have a passport, and the border patrol could not verify that he is a US citizen.

The best way to enter the US is with a passport.