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Background:

  • I'm French and I was 13/15 years old in 2004/2006.
  • I need a B1/B2 visa this trip because I'll be entering the US in a private plane in August, which does not qualify for ESTA.

I'm currently filling out the B1/B2 visa request form.
At some point, it asks if I already traveled to the US and if I ever had a visa issued.
I went to the US 3 times before, in 2004, 2006 and 2016, each time as a tourist.

In 2016 I had an ESTA, but in 2004 and 2006 it wasn't a thing yet and my parents can't remember if they had to get a visa for me.

My question is: As a French child, did I need a visa to get into the US in 2004 and 2006?

Glorfindel
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qht
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1 Answers1

28

ESTA did not exist in those days, but the visa waiver program (VWP) did. Most likely, you and your parents traveled under the VWP. The practical consequence of this is that you will have filled out green I-94W forms instead of white I-94 forms just before arriving in the US (in addition to the blue-and-white customs form that is still in use today). Therefore:

As a French child, did I need a visa to get in the US in 2004 and 2006?

No, you did not need a visa.

phoog
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