Esta Question - being refused entry?

[jstephens]

Hi everyone,

My partner has started to worry that in 2012 she visited Oman on holiday.
Its right next to Yemen which is not allowed according to the esta list. Just checked it again and it says
Have you traveled to, or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?

Her esta was approved along with mine around 3-4 months ago.
Is this something to be concerned about?

Thanks Jon

[sammykitten]

why would it be? Its a whole different country, and Oman is not on the list.

Its like saying, (for example) if France was on the list, anyone who visited Spain (next to France) should be worried - they shouldn't, and neither should you .

[jstephens]

thanks I do agree and Oman is its own country, it would have to say it on the list.
I did breeze straight over the check box ticks and didn't even give it a thought when applying.
My partners work collegue can no longer visit the states as he visited Iraq which is on the list, this is what got her worrying

[sammykitten]

Originally Posted by jstephens

thanks I do agree and Oman is its own country, it would have to say it on the list.
I did breeze straight over the check box ticks and didn't even give it a thought when applying.
My partners work collegue can no longer visit the states as he visited Iraq which is on the list, this is what got her worrying

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thats the difference though isn't it - Iraq is on the list.

[Posiesmum]

No exclusions for Oman. However, I travelled to ≈≈≈≈stan just before going to USA last December.
I did have some extra questioning at immigration, why was I there, how long did I stay etc triggered by ≈≈≈≈stani visa in my passport. No problems but worth being aware of this.

[chmurf]

OP that's yet another case of overthinking the questions on the ESTA form

questions are simple, there is no need to stress over simple answers and what-ifs, or second guess the questions

did you visit these countries ? answer is genuinely no as far as you tell us.

questions are very simple, they are YES or NO ... there is no need to wonder why there is not a "MAYBE" answer

long story short, don't overthink.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by chmurf

OP that's yet another case of overthinking the questions on the ESTA form

questions are simple, there is no need to stress over simple answers and what-ifs, or second guess the questions

did you visit these countries ? answer is genuinely no as far as you tell us.

questions are very simple, they are YES or NO ... there is no need to wonder why there is not a "MAYBE" answer

long story short, don't overthink.

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This. ^^

Your colleague needs to take the questions literally, there are no hidden questions. If they wanted to know about a neighbouring country then they would ask "have you been to any of these countries or any country that shares a border with them".

[steph1]

We live in Abu Dhabi in the UAE so really close to lots of the no-go countries yet we have managed to visit Orlando each year since 2010 with no problems whatsoever. Please don't worry about having visited Oman (a beautiful place by the way), it will have no impact on your admittance to the US.

[jstephens]

Originally Posted by chmurf

OP that's yet another case of overthinking the questions on the ESTA form

questions are simple, there is no need to stress over simple answers and what-ifs, or second guess the questions

did you visit these countries ? answer is genuinely no as far as you tell us.

questions are very simple, they are YES or NO ... there is no need to wonder why there is not a "MAYBE" answer

long story short, don't overthink.

See more...

I do agree but its nice to have some relief when others can put your mind at ease.
We all spend thousands of pounds on these holidays and unfortunately the what if's never go away until I'm there and relaxed

[PPM]

Originally Posted by jstephens

I do agree but its nice to have some relief when others can put your mind at ease.
We all spend thousands of pounds on these holidays and unfortunately the what if's never go away until I'm there and relaxed

See more...

So the ESTA application does not mention Oman, but folks would rather ask strangers on here? Just go with the ESTA every time. The question are. Specific, you just answer what is asked, no less, no more.