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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go to the USA?

64 replies

SarahOsborne · 22/09/2021 10:43

I'm fully vaccinated, I've booked my Covid test, I've got my airline tickets and got my visa to go to America next week. However I've just realised that there are restrictions to get into America from the UK. What happens if I turn up at the airport? Do they turn me away at Heathrow or do they turn me away in America? Is there a chance they would let me in?

OP posts:
BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 22/09/2021 10:45

YABU for asking all these questions under the guise of "AIBU to go"

beachcitygirl · 22/09/2021 10:46

You will be turned away.

irregularegular · 22/09/2021 10:48

You've just realised? Seriously??? You didn't think to check before you booked?

What kind of visa do you have?

AnotherFruitcake · 22/09/2021 10:48

No chance they'll let you in under the current guidelines. The only British people I know who've travelled to the US recently were married to Americans or worked for the FO.

akpounce · 22/09/2021 10:49

Unless you have applied and received an exemption or are an American citizen you will be turned away at the border. They won't let you in. These rules have been in effect since the beginning of the pandemjc.

StarryStarrySocks · 22/09/2021 10:49

Why would you book tickets without looking into this first? YABU.

Aprilx · 22/09/2021 10:50

You have just realised there are restrictions? You must have been living under a rock for the last 18 months. 😂

What kind of visa do you have? If it is a residency then of visa then you might be allowed in, if it is a tourist visa then not a chance.

heldinadream · 22/09/2021 10:50

America is one of the hardest countries in the world to get into. If you haven't complied with every requirement they thing nothing of telling you to sling your hook. You'd be daft going and thinking they'll just wave you through.
What requirements are you not meeting if you're vaxxed and visad though?

MyPatronusIsACat · 22/09/2021 10:52

Why the hell have you booked to go to the USA when you know there is a damn pandemic around the world? And has been for more than a year and a half?

You 'just' realised there are restrictions my arse. Hmm

What a daft, pointless thread.

purplecorkheart · 22/09/2021 10:53

What kind of Visa do you have tourist/working etc
If you do not have anything order they will turn you away. They are very strict. Most likely you could be turned away by the airline before you even go as they are the ones that have to take the cost of returning you home.

irregularegular · 22/09/2021 10:53

There's a list of exemptions here:

travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/covid-19-travel-restrictions-and-exceptions.html

But I think you would already know if you fell into one of them?

LakeShoreD · 22/09/2021 10:54

No you won’t be allowed to board a flight if you don’t meet the conditions for entry, and it’s your responsibility to check so you won’t get a refund when you just turn up and are denied boarding. Right now only US citizens, their families, green card holders and those with a national interest exception can enter the US if they’ve been in the U.K. or EU in the last 2 weeks. But this is changing from November so just push your flight back a month, your airline will probably allow you to change your flight for free if you do it in advance.

turkeyboots · 22/09/2021 10:54

Why are you going? Tourism is open as of yesterday, if you are fully vaccinated and have your ESTA. Work maybe a different kettle of fish.

turkeyboots · 22/09/2021 10:56

My mistake, travel announcement was yesterday, reopening soon.

irregularegular · 22/09/2021 10:57

Why are you going? Tourism is open as of yesterday, if you are fully vaccinated and have your ESTA.

It was announced yesterday. But pretty sure it doesn't apply until Nov. Check your facts!

irregularegular · 22/09/2021 10:57

Ooops sorry. Cross post!

LakeShoreD · 22/09/2021 10:59

Tourism is open as of yesterday
It was widely reported yesterday that the travel ban is going to be lifted from November e.g.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307

Chemenger · 22/09/2021 10:59

Do you have a national interest exemption letter from the embassy? Is it a student visa? Student visas, citizens, green card holders and national interest exemption holders are the only people allowed in the the US at the moment, as far as I know. If you can't enter you'll be turned away at check in. You can go to a third country outside the UK and EU for two weeks and enter from there. Mexico is popular.

Cocomarine · 22/09/2021 11:02

Only here for the explanation of how you’ve just realised this… oooops!

Butternutsqoosh · 22/09/2021 11:06

Depends what sort of visa, all ESTAs are currently cancelled until November, you have to have special exemptions approved by the US Embassy to travel, people are going but not many (I'm cabin crew) US flights are still really empty

Butternutsqoosh · 22/09/2021 11:07

And yes, you will be turned away at check in if you don't meet the criteria

MajorCarolDanvers · 22/09/2021 11:11

You are not going to the US next week. Time to contact your insurance company / travel agent etc and see if you have any chance of postponement or money back.

CMOTDibbler · 22/09/2021 11:17

What kind of visa? Unless you fit into the very tight categories of those allowed, you won't get on the plane.
I applied for an NIE exemption for work last week as I am needed there in person in late October and was turned down

ManifestDestinee · 22/09/2021 11:17

Are you being unreasonable to go? No, because you aren't going!

MissConductUS · 22/09/2021 11:17

@irregularegular

Why are you going? Tourism is open as of yesterday, if you are fully vaccinated and have your ESTA.

It was announced yesterday. But pretty sure it doesn't apply until Nov. Check your facts!

Correct.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/20/us-travel-ban-lifted-uk-eu-flights-allowed-vaccinated-latest-covid-restrictions

I'm a New Yorker and we will be very glad to have our visitors back.