A growing number of fans have discovered that their Visa waivers have been cancelled by US immigration officials with no explanation.
Fans yesterday told the Daily Record they only realised they had been hit with the US travel ban after reading our reports as they prepare to fly out for the first game against Haiti on Sunday.
The Daily Record told on Monday how fans were being thrown into crisis by the changed status of their Electronic System for Travel Authorizations – which are cheaper and more convenient for UK travellers to the USA than visas.
Some fans arranged visa application interviews in Belfast and London, only to be told that they would need ACRO criminal record checks before any new visa can be issued.
But those checks can take weeks to complete – by which time the World Cup will be finished. Tartan Army members spoke of their panic at the sudden Esta removal.
John Paul McShane’s family of seven are all looking like missing out on the holiday of a lifetime after his Esta was blocked.
John Paul said: “We are a Family of seven travelling to multiple cities in America for the World Cup, then a cruise that departs from Miami. All booked following approval.
“No criminal record. I don’t post on SM and have never travelled to any banned countries. Now the family won’t travel without me. It’s absolutely criminal.”
Chris Cunningham said: “Mine changed to pending last week and changed to travel not authorised last night. Was meant to fly out tomorrow morning and don’t have time to sort a visa.”
View 2 ImagesUnited States ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application form paper
Andrew Hamilton added: “Checking mine hourly in case it gets changed. If it changes now, I won’t be flying out on Thursday and will lose a fortune.”
Brandon Coghill only found out he had been blocked on Monday. He said: “Earliest they could give me was Friday am, despite only changing my status yesterday at 4pm and my flight out was meant to be tomorrow afternoon.
“I’m getting absolutely nowhere with anyone I’ve tried to engage with.”
Security firm boss Kenny Smith, from Inverness, told the Record on Monday how he was not given enough notice to organise a new visa before his flight was due to go on Thursday.
He said: “I don’t get the rigmarole people have to go through, and it’s not just me, there are hundreds of others.
“I’ve taken phone calls from people who are pulling their hair out. A family in Dumfries, their son is 15-years-old and going through leukaemia, and the mother has had her ESTA revoked.
“It’s horrendous. We need to shout this up to the very top of the US government.
“Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and John Swinney – this needs to change, you need to take action.
“King Charles we’re looking at you as well, if you can sort out the whisky tariffs, then you can sort this out as well.”
The scandalous treatment of Scotland fans also led to John Swinney issuing a plea to the US Embassy in London to allow the Tartan Army to travel yesterday.
Speaking at Holyrood Swinney said: “ I am aware that the United States embassy has issued advice to individuals affected by ESTA refusals, indicating that they may apply for a visa through the Fifa pass system, and I have asked officials to convey our hope that they can resolve this so that Scotland’s fans do not miss out.
“I have asked for specific representations and engagement to be taken forward with the Consul General of the United States in Scotland and that has been undertaken, and we will do all that we can to help out to resolve these issues.”
The US embassy in London has been contacted for comment.
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