Scotland fans fear they could miss the World Cup due to ESTA red tape.
Tartan Army diehards hoping to jet off to the US in the coming weeks say they have been plunged into panic after their approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) applications were been moved back into “pending” – and some later rejected.
Supporters fear they could lose thousands of pounds and miss Scotland’s long-awaited 28 year return to football’s biggest stage on June 14.
Stephen Mackie forked out £8,000 to fly to Miami for a World Cup stag do. The 32-year-old said the group had their ESTAs approved in February but they were changed to pending this week.
View 7 ImagesFans have been left gutted (stock)(Image: SNS Group)
View 7 ImagesStephen Mackie’s application status was changed on Tuesday(Image: Supplied)
Stephen, from Aberdeen, told the Record: “It’s an absolute joke.
“All of us had our ESTAs approved in February and now three of us have had our applications changed to pending.
“I’ve spent thousands on this trip. We all paid over the odds for tickets to the Scotland versus Brazil game.
“I’ve worked hard for my money and paid extortionate prices for a once in a lifetime holiday.
“The rug has been pulled right out from under us.”
A mum-of-two said she hasn’t slept since her application was reversed this week. The woman from Glasgow has already spent £9,000 to fly out to the US with her partner and children on June 18.
She fears she could be left behind while the rest of her family travels without her.
“I haven’t slept after receiving an email on Tuesday to say my ESTA application was now pending,” she said.
View 7 ImagesStephen Mackie initially had his application approved in January(Image: Supplied)
“I holiday in the US every year. I’ve received no explanation and was told I would need to apply again but that will take too long.
“We’ve paid £9,000 already and have pre-paid for fan zones and activities.
“My whole family feels terrible, they don’t want to leave me. It’s just an awful thing to do to people.”
Michael Curran, from Edinburgh, has been forced to travel to the embassy in London after his previously approved ESTA was declined.
The 55-year-old booked his trip after his visa status was approved on April 14.
View 7 ImagesThe Glasgow mum has been left with her application pending after it was accepted(Image: Supplied)
He said: “Last week I received an email to say my ESTA had been rejected.
“I’ve had no explanation why.
“I’ve booked an expedited tourist visa appointment in London but it’s all in limbo.
“I have waited 28 years to finally go to a World Cup.”
View 7 ImagesMichael Curran’s application has been revoked(Image: Supplied)
Another Tartan Army member from Kirkcaldy said he too faces missing out on a dream World Cup trip for his 40th birthday.
He added: “It’s a shambles. This was meant to be a trip of a lifetime for my 40th that cost us £5,000 each, now it’s just a disaster.”
The ESTA is a legal requirement for entry to the States and covers personal travel for 90 days.
Applications made online are usually approved within 72 hours.
View 7 ImagesFans were hoping to go to Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years(Image: PA)
Scotland fans had already branded the hotly-anticipated tournament the “Rip off World Cup” after being hit with inflated prices for tickets, hotels and travel costs.
Supporters were left enraged after FIFA’s introduction of the notorious dynamic pricing system also saw ticket prices soar on their official resale website.
A spokesperson for the Tartan Army said: “It’s the Rip off World Cup.
“It must be a mistake but we are no longer shocked by the scandalous price of tickets and hotel prices rocketing.
“We can’t even be shocked by a Scotland v Brazil ticket for £8 million at this point.”
Fans were also outraged after train prices in Boston were quadrupled for supporters – with rail costs hiked to £60 while a bus to the stadium cost £67.
It led to a group of fans from Balloch hiring 20 yellow school buses to take them to and from the stadium during the tournament.
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The Daily Record has approached the US Embassy and US Customs and Border Protection for comment.
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