Scotland fan has US visa revoked an hour before flying to World Cup

A Scotland football fan has told how he found out an hour before flying to the World Cup finals in the US that his travel permit had been revoked.

Michael Wright had been due to head off to the States for a dream 30th birthday trip with his brother and had tickets for Scotland's group stage games against Haiti and Morocco.

But he ended up having to send his brother through the security gates at Manchester Airport on his own when his visa status switched from "approved" to "pending" and finally to "travel not authorised".

Michael, who is from Greenock but now lives in Australia, said: "I don't think I've ever felt that bad."

He added: "I sent my brother through security because I still wanted him to go and enjoy his holiday. And I didn't want him to see me ready to break down."

He told BBC Scotland News he could think of "no valid reason" for the change in his visa status and the US authorities had not given him one.

UK citizens who want to go to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa need to apply to the country's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

But dozens of fans who filled out the form have said on social media that their application status had changed in the days leading up to the World Cup kicking off on Thursday.

Some supporters have now been told to make last-minute trips to the US Consulate in Belfast to secure approval of their visas.

First Minister John Swinney said he had contacted US officials over the issue and would do "all I can to help" those affected.

He said: "I have asked officials to convey our hope that they can resolve this so that Scotland's fans do not miss out."

Michael, who emigrated to Australia nine years ago, applied for his ESTA in March.

He travelled home to Greenock to spend two weeks with his family before preparing to head off to the US with no concerns about his visa status.

"In my eyes, there's no valid reason for them to decline it," he said.

"I live in what most people would say is the second hardest country in the world to get a visa. I've been living there nearly 10 years, reapplying for visas and completing police checks.

"They (the US authorities) granted it originally so I'm not sure why they've decided to look back into it."

When and where are Scotland's World Cup games?

Acting assistant secretary of US Homeland Security, Lauren Bis, previously told the BBC 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.

"Travellers must provide complete and truthful information, including all criminal history."

Michael Wright said the late U-turn had left him feeling "very raw" - as well as thousands of pounds out of pocket.

He said: "You're talking about £4,500 to £5,000 and the only thing I'm ever going to get the money back on is the match tickets.

"But at this point I don't even want to take the money back on them – I'll probably just give them away."

However, he still insists on "taking the positives" from his World Cup experience.

"I made the trip home and spent about two-and-a-half weeks back in Scotland with all the family who I obviously don't get to see every day.

"Now I'll just go back to Australia and watch the games with my mates."

A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "The US government sets ESTA and visa requirements. We encourage applicants to follow instructions set out by the US Embassy.

"We continue to engage closely with the US embassy regarding entry requirements for British nationals traveling to the World Cup."

In order to travel to America, applicants must complete a form, pay a fee, and receive approval before travel.

An approved ESTA is usually valid for two years and allows multiple short visits.

UK citizens with certain criminal convictions or immigration issues are usually not eligible.

Anyone who does not qualify for an ESTA has to apply for a US visa instead, but this can be a lengthy progress.

Scotland kicks off its World Cup campaign on 13 June.

BBC Scotland News has approached the US Embassy in London and US Customs and Border Protection for comment.