At a Glance
- Cayman residents are reporting that previously approved US ESTAs are being revoked without explanation, forcing some travellers to cancel trips and seek US visas instead.
- Possible reasons include travel to Cuba since Jan. 2021, passport eligibility issues, previous US immigration violations, suspected unauthorised employment, application inconsistencies, security screening concerns and other factors identified through ongoing vetting.
- Travellers whose ESTAs are revoked must apply for a US visa, requiring an in-person interview in Jamaica, where appointment wait times are stretching months and causing travel disruptions and financial losses.
A growing number of Cayman residents are reporting that their previously approved US Electronic System for Travel Authorizations – or ESTAs – have been revoked without explanation, leaving some unable to travel and others scrambling to secure visa appointments overseas.
The ESTA allows eligible passport holders from Visa Waiver Program countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, to visit the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Many Cayman residents rely on UK passports to access the programme, as British Overseas Territories Citizen passports from the Cayman Islands are not eligible.
Several travellers have reported receiving emails advising them of an update to their ESTA status, only to discover that their authorisations had been revoked.
The reports come just weeks after the Compass reported that some passengers on British Airways flight BA253 from London Heathrow to Grand Cayman on 22 May had their ESTAs revoked following an Ebola-related public health incident involving the flight. However, the latest cases appear unrelated. Affected travellers told the Compass they were not on BA253 and had no known connection to anyone who was.
All of the affected residents who spoke with the Compass said their previously approved ESTAs had been revoked without explanation, forcing some to cancel travel plans and others to seek US visas in Jamaica. Each requested anonymity, citing concerns about potential impacts on future visa applications.
One traveller was told during a visa interview that a 2019 trip to Cuba may have been a factor, despite US restrictions generally applying only to travel after January 2021. Others said they had never visited Cuba and could identify no obvious reason for losing their travel authorisation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the growing number of cases.
The revocations have created concern at the start of the busy summer travel season, when many Cayman residents travel to or through the United States for holidays, family visits, medical treatment, business, onward international connections and major sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Possible reasons for ESTA revocation
Fiona Brander of Cayman Travel Pros said an ESTA revocation means a previously approved travel authorisation has been cancelled by US Customs and Border Protection and can no longer be used to board a flight or enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
While US authorities are unlikely to provide detailed explanations, Brander said revocations could be linked to a number of reasons.
She believes confusion surrounding passport eligibility may be contributing to some cases.
“BOTC passports – including the Cayman passport – are not allowed to have an ESTA,” she said. “If you click to confirm you have a full British passport but enter a BOTC passport number, the ESTA system will likely take your money and approve the ESTA, but then there is a good chance nowadays that it could be revoked.”
Brander said ESTA revocations can occur for a variety of reasons, including cases where a traveller is a US citizen. She noted that US citizens must travel to the United States on a valid US passport and cannot use an ESTA obtained through another nationality, even if they hold dual citizenship with a Visa Waiver Program country.
Other possible reasons include travel to Cuba since 12 Jan. 2021, overstaying a previous 90-day visit to the United States, or making frequent extended trips of two months or more that could raise concerns about the purpose of travel.
Immigration attorneys White & Associates note that ESTA approvals can also be revoked for a wide range of additional reasons, including suspected unauthorised employment, previous arrests or convictions, inconsistencies in ESTA applications, failure to update information after changes such as a new passport or citizenship, discrepancies in travel records, previous visa denials, social media or online activity that attracts scrutiny, security concerns, associations with individuals under investigation, the use of different passports across travel programmes or concerns that a traveller may intend to live, work or immigrate to the United States.
The firm also notes that advances in data-sharing, artificial intelligence and ongoing screening against law enforcement, immigration and security databases mean travellers can face additional scrutiny long after an ESTA has been approved.
Once an ESTA is revoked, travellers are no longer eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program and must obtain an appropriate US visa before travelling.
The bigger picture
The Cayman cases come amid similar reports internationally. BBC Scotland recently reported that some football fans travelling to the World Cup discovered their previously approved ESTAs had been changed to “travel not authorised” shortly before departure.
Acting assistant secretary of Homeland Security Lauren Bis told the Compass that the tightening of granting ESTAs was because “the Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws”.
“Under the Visa Waiver Program, all ESTA applications are continuously vetted against law enforcement and security databases,” she said. “Travelers must provide complete and truthful information, including all criminal history. Failure to disclose arrests or convictions constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to ESTA denial, revocation, or a permanent bar from entering the United States. An approved ESTA does not guarantee admission. Individuals ineligible for the VWP due to criminal convictions or misrepresentation must apply for a visa.”
For affected Cayman residents, the consequences pose a major – and potentially costly – inconvenience. Those whose ESTAs are revoked must apply for a US visa, a process that requires an in-person appointment in Jamaica. With interview slots in Kingston now being scheduled months in advance, some travellers have already cancelled trips and lost money.
Affected passengers may be able to submit a DHS TRIP inquiry through the US Department of Homeland Security, though such cases can take months to resolve.
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