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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:
notimagain · 22/09/2021 11:17

There are exemptions for certain jobs/certain Visas…so first question is would be what visa have you got?

Whatever the answer if you are not eligible for travel you’ll be denied boarding at check-in.

Tal45 · 22/09/2021 11:36

Oh no this is awful OP. Can you change your flight?

ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 22/09/2021 11:37

You will be turned away. Wait until November.

I know a handful of people who’ve had to go for work and they’ve had to go through all sorts of hoops to get there. Dh who works for an American company and was trying to get there gave up because it was too much hassle.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 11:42

you will get turned away at check in and not allowed to board the flight if you don't meet the criteria as set out by the USA government.

Seriously dude where have you been throughout this pandemic!!!

snanagram · 22/09/2021 11:50

got my visa to go to America next week.

How, where and when did you get a visa?
Do you mean an ESTA - these aren't being issued at the moment.

CMOTDibbler · 22/09/2021 11:58

ESTAs are being issued, I had to do a new one 2 weeks ago. You just can't use it. Visa applications otoh aren't being processed unless specific types

snanagram · 22/09/2021 13:15

ESTAs are being issued, I had to do a new one 2 weeks ago. You just can't use it

Thank you for the clarification.

Chipsahoy · 22/09/2021 13:35

My dh is American and wants to see his family. He contacted embassy and was advised as he doesn’t reside in the USA, he will be turned away at the border. He is waiting until November and will go then.

whatsagoodusername · 22/09/2021 13:44

@Chipsahoy

My dh is American and wants to see his family. He contacted embassy and was advised as he doesn’t reside in the USA, he will be turned away at the border. He is waiting until November and will go then.
This isn't true if he holds a US passport. They'll let him in.

You can go too if you take your marriage certificate. They're not letting foreigners in, but spouses are exempt from the ban.

I (US passport holder) went in August, with British DH, just to visit family.

Mayorquimby2 · 22/09/2021 13:53

Don't worry you'll be let in, they only announced restrictions 18 months ago that they knew we unenforceable hoping to deter people and nobody would chance their arm.

Tell them you're a free human being and ask them if they're operating on their oath and they legally have to let you in

VippingQ · 22/09/2021 13:59

@Mayorquimby2

Don't worry you'll be let in, they only announced restrictions 18 months ago that they knew we unenforceable hoping to deter people and nobody would chance their arm.

Tell them you're a free human being and ask them if they're operating on their oath and they legally have to let you in

Hmm
MissConductUS · 22/09/2021 14:01

Tell them you're a free human being and ask them if they're operating on their oath and they legally have to let you in

That was very funny. Grin

Legally, they'll put you on a plane home, assuming you can get someone to fly you there without the proper documents.

TupilaLilium · 22/09/2021 14:04

The good news is you can often change flights now for very little cost. Rebook for the new year.

TupilaLilium · 22/09/2021 14:11

@Chipsahoy

My dh is American and wants to see his family. He contacted embassy and was advised as he doesn’t reside in the USA, he will be turned away at the border. He is waiting until November and will go then.
This is not true. I an a USA citizen and have been twice this year.
LampLighter414 · 22/09/2021 14:15

Hopefully you won't get the United Airlines treatment

safariboot · 22/09/2021 14:16

It was at this point that she realised, she fucked up.

You would have had to go somewhere the USA isn't banning arrivals from at least 14 days before your arrival in the USA. Too late for that now!

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 22/09/2021 14:16

@Chipsahoy

My dh is American and wants to see his family. He contacted embassy and was advised as he doesn’t reside in the USA, he will be turned away at the border. He is waiting until November and will go then.
Really? Shock

My understanding is that they cannot turn Americans away.

Am American and would be Shock if I wouldn't be able to go, even though I am choosing not to do so at the moment.

ArsenicNLace · 22/09/2021 14:21

OMG! Can't believe anyone would do this!!

We were booked to go to the US in June, moved it to October (so in 2 weeks) and have now moved it to next May. I have been constantly googling and checking the USA gov website to check on restrictions. UK and EU citizens haven't been allowed into the US since March 2020!!! How could you not know?!

lljkk · 22/09/2021 14:39

Can this be legit -- don't airlines do checks and ask questions of would-be travellers? Not in their interests to have loads of people turn up who will be turned away by immigration control.

ManifestDestinee · 22/09/2021 14:45

@lljkk

Can this be legit -- don't airlines do checks and ask questions of would-be travellers? Not in their interests to have loads of people turn up who will be turned away by immigration control.
What, do you think they call up everyone who wants to fly and asks them if they understand the regs and can go? Don't be daft. What do they care if you actually get on the plane or not, they have your fare either way?
lljkk · 22/09/2021 14:59

I'm sure that at times when I've booked flights to certain places, that windows popped up to say things like "You do realise that you need X visa, please tick this box to confirm that you will get that visa organised" or "Read here carefully about travel restrictions at your destination before you can proceed with booking!" -- that kind of thing.

And then on the plane journey itself they distribute landing, customs & other forms and lecture everyone.

There are definitely some booking procedures that 'screen' travellers for eligibility.

Many airlines definitely don't just take your money & ignore what happens when you arrive.

If OP wasn't turned back until she arrived at JFK, I think sometimes airlines can be held culpable for costs of repatriation.

Also, social distancing, airports not supposed to have huge numbers of extra people in them.

MissConductUS · 22/09/2021 15:03

If OP wasn't turned back until she arrived at JFK, I think sometimes airlines can be held culpable for costs of repatriation.

Since I live in the US I don't follow this that closely, but I know that historically if someone is turned away at the airport for lacking the proper visa, the airline that brought them has to fly them back to their point of origin at the airline's cost. This obviously provides a strong motive for the airline to check someone's documentation carefully before letting them board the plane.

ManifestDestinee · 22/09/2021 15:06

All airlines are liable to bring you back if you get refused immigration when you get there, and can be liable for a fine as well. Which is why they won't let you on the plane in the first place without the correct visa/paperwork/covid stuff.

lljkk · 22/09/2021 15:21

Manifest -- that's probably why I've encountered screening questions before when booking, they start with the screening at point of booking.

CousinKrispy · 22/09/2021 16:41

A US passport holder can enter (with negative covid test). My daughter and I did in August this year.