Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Travel to US having been to Iran - ESTA

71 replies

Aridane · 15/04/2019 13:27

Has anyone who has visited Iran been to the US since 2016 - ie when the US disbarred from ESTA anyone who since 2011 had been to any of the countries on the naughty list (including Iran)? And did you declare your visit on the ESTA form or get a visa?

I went to Iran in 2015 but since then have a shiny new passport and was wondering whether just to tick 'no' on the ESTA form – but don't know the extent to which authorities / airlines etc exchange information. (I know, I know- and expect to get slated for even expressing that as a possibility).

Or if you got a visa, how difficult was it to get and how long did it take?

Many thanks!

OP posts:
AlunWynsKnee · 15/04/2019 13:29

I think you'll need a full visa. Best to play it straight. If you get caught concealing it you'll be even less likely to be allowed in in the future.

Yogagirl123 · 15/04/2019 13:35

Tell the truth, or expect to be turned around at immigration. I think the ESTA process is quite robust. Not worth taking the chance. Good luck OP I hope you get the ESTA ok.

bellinisurge · 15/04/2019 13:45

Why lie and risk getting caught out to make it worse.

babyblackbird · 15/04/2019 13:52

My father is Iranian but with dual British nationality and has a British passport .he had already booked a trip to the states ( where he has visited on many many occasions ) to visit family, when the new policy came in - they refused him an esta and made him apply for a full visa including an interview at the embassy etc etc at the end of all that they didn't refuse him a visa but declined to say whether they would grant him one in time for his trip.

He had to cancel his trip but was eventually told he was granted the visa but it was way too late. It has put him off ever visiting the states again. He is 81 , a retired doctor with no political background and has never been in the army etc ( which they refused to believe).

Sorry bit of a rant but point I am trying to make is that I would not risk lying but don't boil anything until you know you will be able to travel !

babyblackbird · 15/04/2019 13:54
  • don't book anything before you know if you can travel !
babyblackbird · 15/04/2019 13:56

Ps it took at least 5 months between interview at embassy and granting visa but that at have just been his particular case. They were extremely unhelpful about giving an indication of whether a visa was likely to be granted and cared not a jot that he had already booked travel before the policy changed.

Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 14:42

Oh goodness!

OP posts:
Sunshine1239 · 15/04/2019 14:46

Just go. The ESTA is an automated system. It doesn’t check anything. It will decline if you answer yes to any of the questions. I know as I know many mates with criminal records - from years ago who’ve got in no problem. Someone on trip advisor did a freedom of information check which came back saying they only have access to Interpol. So unless your on there you’ll be fine. That’s why you have to take all your evidence to the USA embassy / if they can’t trace it in the uk London office they’ve no chance in US. They only know what you admit to.

Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 15:08

Thanks, all.

I actually find this quite a difficult one.

You see, my original reaction was pretty much that of Sunshine1239 – after all, does anyone actually tick the box in the ESTA form saying, yes, they do support terrorism, have a communicable disease etc?

However, in these days of heightened security, I did wonder whether a trip to Iran in 2015 would have me on some sort of watchlist.

And whilst the delay in getting a visa would mean I couldn't get to the US within the required timescale, being barred entry forever for lying would be awful.

I have contacted the travel agents I went to Iran with to see what their experience is of this and their view.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 15:16

sunshine - were your friends’ convictions ‘spent’. - ie no longer showing on the system?

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 15/04/2019 15:28

I have a relative who, in the 1950s did tick the equivalent box, for a laugh. Wound up in prison needing lots of local string pulling to get them out. Never made that mistake again.

DesparateDino · 15/04/2019 15:31

I am a member of various USA groups on Facebook and people have been denied access if they lied on their ESTA. So they must check surely?

kaytee87 · 15/04/2019 15:34

Its strange because my DH recently got granted an ESTA after declaring he holds an Iranian passport as well as his British one. I honestly thought he'd be called for an interview but he was just given the ESTA. Bit worried we'll get pulled over at immigration.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 15/04/2019 15:35

You need a visa. DH has a relative who has been to Iran and has to get a visa for the US. They've not been refused a visa, but they can't go on an ESTA.

I assume you travelled on an older passport so there are no stamps in your current passport? Even so, there is a chance they could link records together. I wouldn't risk it.

kaytee87 · 15/04/2019 15:36

Op sorry to derail but how was your visit to Iran? Where did you go?

babyblackbird · 15/04/2019 15:44

@kaytee87 I think the issue with my Dad was that he declared he had visited Iran in the last year rather than him holding dual passports.

babyblackbird · 15/04/2019 15:46

This was 3 years ago although I can't imagine it's got any easier under the Trump administration!

Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 15:49

kaytee - it was fabulous - one of my best holidays ever!

Went to Tehran, habaniyah, yazd, Shiraz, Persepolis and Isfahan

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 15:53

having - yes, travelled to Iran on an older passport- hence no visas, entry stamps etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 15:54

there is a chance they could link records together. I wouldn't risk it - do authorities share flight manifests, and is the ESTA system / US immigration/ Homeland Security joined up in this way?

OP posts:
azulmariposa · 15/04/2019 16:02

My dp has spent loads of time working in various Arab countries, and was due to start working in the US a few weeks ago. He was really hoping that they would refuse the visa, but no such luck!

Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 16:09

How long did it take a) to get the interview, and b) the visa?

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 15/04/2019 16:28

"do authorities share flight manifests, and is the ESTA system / US immigration/ Homeland Security joined up in this way?"

Yes

Original poster
Aridane · 15/04/2019 16:30

bellini - how do you know this? It’s so difficult to find anything definitive here!

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 15/04/2019 16:33

It's run by the Department for Homeland Security. That should give you a clue. This isn't the Tesco Clubcard. This is serious stuff and you lie to it at your own risk.