Some World Cup visa waivers suddenly reversed right before trips to U.S: "Far too much money to just not go"

Some World Cup fans are running into a last minute problem getting into the United States. They just found out that their approval to enter the country changed at the last minute. 

There are 42 countries enrolled in a visa waiver program where citizens can generally come to the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism or business travel, without applying for a visa at an American embassy or consulate. That process that can take months or even years.

Instead, those travelers have to fill out an application online using a process known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), before entering the U.S.. That system is designed to ensure applicants are eligible for visa-free travel to the U.S., and that they don't pose security concerns.

Some World Cup fans had their ESTA applications approved months ago.

"I started to hear about the fact that some those ESTA applications had been moved back to pending, and not authorized," said Stephen Sloan, a Scotland fan who may be coming to the World Cup alone if his friend doesn't get his ESTA approved again.

"They said look, we'll try and escalate it. We'll do our best, but we fly out, or we're supposed to fly out at 3 p.m. U.K. time (Tuesday)." 

Sloan and his friend are flying from Glasgow to Boston to see Scotland take on Haiti on Saturday in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Sloan was approved for his ESTA application in January, while his friend was approved last week. 

But, when his friend logged in on Saturday, his approval had switched back to pending. They've been calling and asking for their case to be escalated for urgent approval.

"If he's unable to travel, that means I need to travel alone, which is a completely different experience. It would be far too much money to just not go," Sloan told WBZ-TV Monday.

He's not alone. Several fans have taken to social media with similar issues, but some said they were too nervous to talk with WBZ, afraid it might impact their status.

"A couple of months ago, the Trump administration introduced something called the fast pass, which if you can prove that you actually hold tickets to a game, they'll move you to the front of the line to get a visa. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the line is moving," said CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

He said visa wait times have been an issue for decades, with some applications taking years, but that doesn't really work when you host the World Cup with thousands of fans trying to enter the country all at once.

"That's why the Trump administration tried to institute this fast pass program, but they did it too little, too late," said Greenberg. "They only did it when FIFA told them how many people weren't coming to the games."

Lauren Bis, the acting assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, told WBZ-TV in a statement that the Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws.

"Under the Visa Waiver Program, all ESTA applications are continuously vetted against law enforcement and security databases. Travelers must provide complete and truthful information, including all criminal history," Bis said. "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."

Greenberg suggests some issues could arise if a fan was approved with a ticket, only for customs to discover they're from an unauthorized country or have traveled there. Sloan said his friend had done neither and is now out $5,000.