Asperger's, entry to the USA and the Visa Waiver Program

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I'm seriously considering a trip to the US for my vacation next year.

Well I found out that although we in the UK don't need a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, you still have to complete a form under this program, the I94-W, to ensure entry even as a tourist.

And the first question in it is this: "Do you have a communicable disease, physical or mental disorder, or are you a drug abuser or addict?"

Even if I put no, this doesn't guarantee you entry. You still have to face entry control. What chance is there, as a diagnosed Aspie, that the immigration officer cannot distinguish Asperger's from a mental disorder and I'd be refused?

What chance is there that I'd be even asked about this?

Maybe you should call whoever's in charge, figure out what's on their "watchlist," and go from there. Maybe you can include a letter from a doc, or maybe they have a special "waiver" for you set up. I believe Asperger's is one of the "controlled" personallity disorders, meaning we do not get progressively worse, so maybe there really isn't anything to worry about. I'd get info regarding what they actually look for, and what you need to show them beforehand.

Put me in a stressful situation and I do become progressively worse.

As to the visa...we are ...none of the above, so you can honestly say "no" . Often people evaluating someone from a different culture is more likely to be "cut some slack" as their "differences" are excepted as "cultural base" or communication differences instead of mental illness. It really depends on how obvious your traits are to begin and some of us can "fake it" long enough to get through some interviews. Just try and think "harmless thoughts" while being interviewed Hopefully, you don't have echolie which makes you repeat..."I have a bomb and I'm not afraid to use it"...

Just put "no", and try not to act too goofy on your way through customs.

if you want to go the legal route, consult with the American embassy (just look for a lot of protesters in London somewhere; good gig, but the pay sucks.. or possibly a consulate in a major city. They get paid to answer questions like this.

That's your best bet. Asperger's is not considered a "mental illness". It is a developmental disorder.
I don't possibly see how this would prevent you from entering the US as a tourist.

They don't care about AS. You could tell them your overly compulsive and they wouldn't care about that either, same thing. They are looking for "Does he have a disease that can spread to the US?" and "Will he be a danger to other people when put in a foreign environment?" and "Is he on medication that might cause issues?".

I don't think you should mention it at all. Once you give them the idea, especially about something they don't know about, they might have a prejudice against you. I don't think that Asperger's is necessarily a "disorder." It can also be called a personality type that is simply in the minority. If there is nothing wrong with you that will affect your behavior on the flight or in the states adversely, then they have no need to know about it. Being socially awkward is not a crime or a sickness.

Whatever you think, it is a disorder. It's not a personality type, and if it can objectively be called as one, so can Autism, Schizophrenia, Dementia, etcetera.

It's a mental disorder, and if you don't put it down as having such, you're lying.

Worst they can do is turn you down.

Last I checked we liked taking tourist money over here so a minor mental disorder shouldn't be a problem.

Just say no.

AS is often basically hidden as being anything disruptive or bad. Can you stay on an airplane for 18 hours and seem normal? If so, just say NO.

BTW I picked 18 because it can take like 13 hours to fly from california to the edge of western europe, and 5 hours allows for problems, the airports, etc... It is unlikely you will be on ANY plane even THAT long, let alone longer.

The PROBLEM with saying yes is that the final arbiter of risk in the US is the "security agent". They are not very bright, and shouldn't be given a silly excuse to detain you.

Don't say, yes. If you are diagnosed and questions are raised, then you show them the letter from the doctor. No problem. It isn't any of the things they asked. Usually it's all paperwork and you never actually talk to a real person, so it really shouldn't be a problem. Tourist Visas are usually fairly simple to get and it usually has more to do with visiting than permanent residency which is much more stringent, but also more paperwork.

Although I now am now a permanent resident in the USA (my wife is American) I traveled back and forth to Australia and the USA under the visa waiver program numerous times in the past.

DO NOT put down yes to the mental disorder question. You will have no problems making it through immigration. 50% of the time they will just take your passport and form and stamp you through without asking anything. The other 50% they will ask how long you are planning on staying or how much money you have (they want to verify you can support yourself and are not coming to work illegally). Just tell them how much you have in travellers cheques and you are good to go.

No offense to the fine people working for USA immigration but they really are simple security guards herding people through the gates.

Personally I don't regard aspergers as a mental disorder anyway but that is me.

Have a fun trip and enjoy the fantastic exchange rate (if you are into lego stock up in the USA).

Thanks for all the answers everyone. I never thought about consulting the American Consulate but I think that's probably the best thing to do to be sure.