sections and entrance to the US

Sunshine · 15-06-2009, 08:59 PM

I was told once by a doctor and then later by some nurses in the same hospital that you wont be allowed into the the United States if you have been under a section 3! i was just wandering if anyone has had any experience with this? when asked to fill in the form on entrance to the country did you state you had been under section and if you did, how did they react?

Im asking because my family is thinking of going to holiday to New York

Thanks
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whirlpools · 15-06-2009, 10:50 PM

i've never been in this situation, but yes, the US are pretty strict about people who've been on section 3s. however, although i'm not certain, i do believe that it's only for a certain length of time; like, maybe a few years? if you don't find your answer in this thread, it's probably possible to find on tinterweb.

LaurieR · 15-06-2009, 11:23 PM

I have been under a Section 3 and yes I have heard about travel restrictions to the US and Section 3's as well! Although I don't intend to go to the US myself, I think it's pretty unfair that they treat us like criminals instead of patients!

starnight · 15-06-2009, 11:59 PM

I think the best thing would be to phone the US embassy and get an answer from them.

Sorry can't be much more help
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Ami · 16-06-2009, 09:04 AM

:/ thats quite harsh.

x

Bear · 16-06-2009, 09:43 AM

I've heard that too. I know its not right but to be honest if I was going I just wouldn't tell anyone. Surely they're not going to go through everyone's medical records?
I've also heard that you can't go to the US if you've been on a section 3 unless you've got insurance, but I'm not sure.

sherlock holmes · 16-06-2009, 10:44 AM

Yeah I've heard this.

Wellingtons · 16-06-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear

I've also heard that you can't go to the US if you've been on a section 3 unless you've got insurance, but I'm not sure.

It makes sense, seeing as the US doesn't have an NHS like we do, so you either have to stump up tens of thousands of pounds, or they put you in a state hospital, which are NOT nice places.

espoir · 16-06-2009, 01:24 PM

Yeh ive heard this too. I think as well it can cause problems with travel insurance - they may not insure you. My friends had this problem. There might be a time period though if it was x ammount of years ago its ok. Maybe look on their website
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Popple · 16-06-2009, 01:30 PM

I am sure if conact somewhere like mind they should be able to provide you with more information on it.

synapse321 · 16-06-2009, 05:27 PM

I will tell you of my experiences.

I was going to Panama via New York so was transiting the US.

On the plane I signed the visa waiver from that I had a severe mental impairement like an idiot.

On arrival at US customs I showed them the letter from my psych that I was on medication and fit to travel. The Border Guard inputted on the computer database that I was a drug addict.

Hence, he put my passport in a RED envelope (which probably means I had volunteered the information) and was taken to a holding office. The Border Agent there told me what was on the database so explained to him that I had just had a breakdown. He was satisfied with my answer and scanned my passport so it will always be on the database against my passport and stapled the visa waiver form to the passport.

On the way back when they scanned my passport it showed up I had previously been stopped and to briefly see a doctor who said I was fit to travel.

Later I learned you only need to declare on the visa waiver a mental illness if it severe enough to be a danger on a flight.

Nowadays, you have to input all your insurance details etc on aptas - an electronic online form that gets sent directly to US Immigration 72 hours before arrival.

HTH

16-06-2009, 07:01 PM

I've heard that too. I live in the US so i dont know much about it. But I could see health insurance being an issue, as it's not free to everyone here unfortunately. I'd ask the embassy like others have said.

discovery_journey · 17-06-2009, 12:50 AM

I've been on a section 3 and I travelled to the US.

I just didn't declare that I had a serious mental illness. simple.

A pdoc that I once had said he had patients who travel to the US regularly who have been on section 3s, so i wasn't concerned.

LetMeSlipAway · 20-06-2009, 06:46 PM

Thank you so much for asking this!
Im sectioned on a section 3 at the mo and am lookin to start uni in september and do my placement year in the US!

Im sorry I dont have an answer tho!