3 ms·

The 10 year VISA he received does not imply he cannot be denied entry at the border anyway. I had a VISA like that and was almost denied entry once.

• varispeed 6y ago
  Correct. That VISA merely gives you right to be on the plane and speak to the border control after landing.
  • Scoundreller 6y ago
    And the chance to litigate it, since denying entry or a Visa is reviewable by court, while an ESTA is not. Most countries probably favour the government in decisions about the former, but it at least means you can force them to give up more details (e.g. FOIA).
• tgsovlerkhgsel 6y ago
  What happened in your case?
• csomar 6y ago
  It is better than an ESTA, though. It has some rights attached to it. Though I wonder if the immigration agent will find it suspicious that he has a Visa when he could "simply" get an ESTA. Might hassle him on entries.
• rob74 6y ago
  A VISA (credit card) won't be of any use, you need a visa (in your passport). SCNR...
• abimaelmartell 6y ago
  I had a work visa, and almost got denied entry two times. They were questioning if i was qualified for the work i was hired to do. I already had my visa renewed two times at that point so i had been to the embassy for interview and document checking already. The CPB guy was being a jerk.
• hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
  People seem to generally not understand how borders work. In most countries you are allowed to enter ENTIRELY at the discretion of the border control agent. If they don't like the look of you, don't like your name, find something they think is suspicious, are in a bad mood or are being ridden by their boss, they can turn you around and put you on the next plane home, regardless of what bit of paper you're holding. There are obvious exceptions for citizen and diplomats, but that's generally how it works.
  • jpmoral 6y ago
    Each country provides their own guidelines to border officers. How clear these are and how closely they are followed varies from country to country. Just because one country's officers apparently deny people entry on a whim doesn't mean that's what happens everywhere.
    • hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
      I was being a bit flippant but the fact is that you're always relying on the decision of the front line employee. Of course there are guidelines and decisions sometimes travel up the management chain, but the attitude of the first officer you meet can dictate the outcome. Here's an example: You decide spontaneously to travel to the UK from the US after having finishing a grueling contract. Your travel plans are a bit vague because of the short notice. You work on your CV on the flight with a view to your next job. The border control officer finds your lack of detailed travel plans suspicious. He decides to carry out a search of your luggage and finds your CV. He claims you are coming to the UK to seek work. You protest but you have no evidence to the contrary. You're refused entry and you will now find it difficult to enter the UK for at least 10 years. You can expect to spend 3 or more hours at the UK border each time you try to enter. Or, alternatively, none of this happens and instead the officer has a laugh with you about disorganised trips overseas and waves you in. These sorts of scenarios are very common. People should be aware of the peril of crossing borders and be informed and well organised.
      • jpmoral 6y ago