Posts Tagged ‘US Immigration’

Question: We have booked a holiday to New York and have been told that my partner may be refused entry as he had a caution for possession of cannabis six years ago? Is this true? Thanks

Answer: Although you refer to a caution, matters relating to the posession of narcotics are taken very seriously by U.S. Immigration (and all countries) and it is quite possible that your partner may be refused entry solely on these grounds. VisitNewYork.ie are by no means qualified to advise you on a legal basis but our advice for anyone in your predicament is to contact your local Garda Station for a Police Certificate and advice on whether this information (such as a caution) was ever shared with the U.S. authorities. We would also advise you to contact the United States Embassy in Dublin to make an appointment as soon as possible. The U.S Dublin Embassy website has information on non-immigrant visas that relates to criminal convictions.

US Embassy Dublin - Visa Information

A member of staff at the embassy will inform your partner whether (s)he is eligible for a visa to enter the United States. Worst case scenario; at least with some notice you will be able to limit the cancellation charges for your flight/hotel booking. On the other hand, if all is good and there are no problems, you will be able to look forward to your trip to New York rather than waiting anxiously until the time comes to meet a U.S. immigration officer.

The VisitNewYork.ie Team

On January 12th 2009 US Immigration introduced a new online holiday visa registration system for all countries on the visa waiver programme (VWP).  Since Ireland is signed up to this agreement, all Irish passport holders travelling to the US without a visa will need to pre-register their travel details online with the Department of Homeland Security through their Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at the following address: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Registration is FREE and must be done at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to departure date. The system will advise passengers whether travel to the US has been authorised.

According to the US Embassy in Dublin, an approved ESTA travel authorisation is:
- valid for up to two years or until the passenger’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
- valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
- not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorises a passenger to board a carrier for
travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, Customs Border Patrol officers make admissibility determinations at ports of entry.

Please note children and infants must have their own ESTA authorisation. Passengers will still need to complete the green I-94 Immigration Form provided on-board the flight or at the check-in desk and present to customs upon arrival.