Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Tourist Visa and Visa Waiver Program (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/tourist-visa-and-visa-waiver-program-882986/)

Long_Lankin Mar 21st, 2011 02:05 PM

Tourist Visa and Visa Waiver Program
 
My wife & I want to visit her sister in Oklahoma later this year but I'm a bit concerned that
we might have a problem & be refused entry.

My wife has a visitor visa issued in 1985 in an old passport (expired1993). This is stamped "multiple" & "indefinitely". Can she use this, along with her current passport, or does she have to have the visa entered in to it for the visa to be accepted at immigration?

We have in recent years gone to the US from the UK under the visa waiver program under the I-94w form.
We have done the ESTA thing and been accepted but are not sure whether the I-94w is still used as there were reports of it being phased out.

On 1 of our last trips via Chicago for some reason the I-94w was not handed in on the return journey for some reason and subsequently became lost. the last 2 trips were in 1993 & 1996. I think the I-94w was lost on the '93 one but can't be sure. If it was this one we didn't have any entry problem at Chicago in '96.

Any ideas if we're likely to be denied entry if we go to the US later this year, or should I get a full visa and my wife rely on her current visa?

november_moon Mar 21st, 2011 02:11 PM

What is your country of citizenship?

J62 Mar 21st, 2011 02:55 PM

I'm guessing that Long_Lankin is from Texas. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective), Texas and Oklahoma stopped the visa waiver program several years ago after OU fans went on a rampage after the Red River shootout.

If you're not from Texas, then I have no idea.

Long_Lankin Mar 21st, 2011 03:10 PM

Hi
I'm in the UK - I made an error when writing up and didn't realise I need to set the country

nytraveler Mar 21st, 2011 04:15 PM

I think you'll find that people in the US have no clue about the visas needed to enter here - since we go so many places with no visa we're not used to dealing with them and are mostly ignorant.

Even if people provide an answer - who knows if it's correct as of this moment? I think the only thing you can do is contact the american embassy and ask about your specific situation.

longhorn55 Mar 21st, 2011 04:50 PM

Yes, as NYtraveler says, the only sure way to get current and accurate information is by contacting the U.S. Embassy. (My spouse is a Foreign Service Officer and he says that the visa regulations to enter the U.S. are changing all the time.)

Long_Lankin Mar 22nd, 2011 12:01 AM

Thanks for your replies guys. US Embassy it is then

lincasanova Mar 22nd, 2011 07:40 AM

Their website explains everything perfectly without having to make the 10E phonecall. Esta only lasts two years so depending on when you applied, you may need to do so again.

Long_Lankin Mar 23rd, 2011 06:29 AM

Thanks again to you all for your interest. We did ESTA last year so we are ok on that.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:14 PM.