Scotland fan races to Boston after visa u-turn ahead of World Cup

A Scotland football fan is in a race against time to reach Boston for the national team's World Cup opening match after his US visa was approved at the last minute. Kenny Smith, from Inverness, was among many supporters whose Esta travel permits were revoked without explanation last week.

Smith's travel was approved at the US embassy in London on Friday morning, but airport delays caused him to narrowly miss his connecting flight in Dublin. He will spend the night there and hopes to arrive in Boston at 14:45 EST on Saturday, just hours before kick-off at 21:00 (02:00 BST).

Last-minute approval

Smith, lead singer of folk rock band Torridon, described the turn of events as "unbelievable." He joined the embassy queue at 07:30 and said several Scotland fans were lined up. At the desk, the official who approved his visa said: "I am so sorry you had to go through this."

Smith told BBC Scotland News: "I could have cried - and I did later. I said 'I could cuddle you just now.' He said a fist bump would do so we fist bumped on the screen and off I went. I have never had a feeling like it in my life. I am going to Boston."

He added: "It took ages to get the bags off. I missed my check-in by 15 minutes. I am booked on tomorrow and due to arrive in Boston around 14:45."

Emotional rollercoaster

Smith said the "rollercoaster" experience since his visa was revoked last week had given him chest pains. The security firm boss said he was failed by the system but finally got a result thanks to people, including politicians and fellow fans, who rallied to his cause. "I can't keep track of the messages. It has been absolutely incredible," he said.

He hopes other Scotland fans in the same situation manage to get the green light to travel to the US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico.

Long-awaited trip

Smith has been following Scotland home and away since he was 16. He was too young to attend the 1998 World Cup in France and vowed he would be at the next one, but never imagined it would be almost three decades later.

Scotland will face Haiti in the opening match at Boston Stadium in Foxborough before taking on Morocco at the venue at 23:00 BST next Friday. The final group match in Miami, which kicks off at 23:00 on 24 June, will pit the national side against five-time winners Brazil.

Wider visa issues

Earlier this week, another Scotland fan told BBC Scotland News how he found out an hour before flying that his travel permit had been revoked. Michael Wright ended up having to send his brother through security at Manchester Airport alone when his visa status switched to "travel not authorised." Other members of the Tartan Army previously said they could lose thousands of pounds in travel costs due to the Esta changes.

An Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is required for travel to the US. 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. In December, the White House said it wanted to make social media checks part of the application process. Anyone who does not qualify for an Esta must apply for a US visa instead, which can be a lengthy process.