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Getting ESTA after 221(g) refusal, but visa was granted after interview

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perkerand
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Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:31 am

Getting ESTA after 221(g) refusal, but visa was granted after interview

Post by perkerand » Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:00 am

Hi everyone,

Finally, I got my British passport. I am planning to travel to US, but I am confused whether I should apply for B1/B2 visa OR ESTA.

Few years ago (when I wasn't UK citizen), I applied for a US visa at the U.S. Embassy in London via the Interview Waiver program.
My application was refused under Section 221(g) because I wasn't eligible to use the Interview Waiver, and I had to attend an interview at the Embassy. After that interview, my visa was approved. However, now I have lifelong record about US visa denial which I have to mention during ESTA application.

My concern is that if I apply for ESTA and it is rejected, I will get another rejection record.

Questions:
1) Could someone share an experience of applying for ESTA with previous visa refusal?
2) In case of doubt in ESTA application success, should I apply for B1/B2 visa straightway?
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Ticktack
Respected Guru
Posts: 2138
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:35 am

Re: Getting ESTA after 221(g) refusal, but visa was granted after interview

Post by Ticktack » Mon Dec 12, 2022 12:25 pm

perkerand wrote: ↑
Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:00 am
 Hi everyone,

Finally, I got my British passport. I am planning to travel to US, but I am confused whether I should apply for B1/B2 visa OR ESTA.

Few years ago (when I wasn't UK citizen), I applied for a US visa at the U.S. Embassy in London via the Interview Waiver program.
My application was refused under Section 221(g) because I wasn't eligible to use the Interview Waiver, and I had to attend an interview at the Embassy. After that interview, my visa was approved. However, now I have lifelong record about US visa denial which I have to mention during ESTA application.

My concern is that if I apply for ESTA and it is rejected, I will get another rejection record.

Questions:
1) Could someone share an experience of applying for ESTA with previous visa refusal?
2) In case of doubt in ESTA application success, should I apply for B1/B2 visa straightway?
Apply for ESTA as normal using British Passport. The form would ask you if you've ever been denied a US visa before blah blah, just say yes. Then give the date of event. Unfortunately, the form doesn't give you the time of day to explain that you were eventually granted a US visa.

Just go with the flow. It's not a problem.

ESTA approval would be issued in 48 hours. With the wordings "Welcome to the United States". :D
No sin in failing, you just have to try and try again!
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