1st post - major panic

[crumpet]

This is my first post on this board but I have been 'watching' you all for a few weeks.
We are booked to go to Florida in mid December for the first time and have been getting really excited about it.
Until we were told yesterday that because my Hubby and I were both arrested years ago (while going through previous marriage break ups) we would need visa's.
We were both cautioned at the time and then released and they wont be on the pnc checks we have sent off for today. Now my question is why do you have to wait for these forms to come back before you make your appointment at the embassy. I have been told by our local police that they have to be returned to us within 40 days but most are done within 28 days.
I phoned the usembassy yesterday and was told the earliest appointment was 20th Aug but to phone back when we get the forms back and make an appointment. I would like to phone and make an appointment in a couple of weeks when hopefully we'll get an appointment for end of Aug/beginning of Sept. Has anybody ever made the appointment before having their forms back.

Crumpet
Also how long has it taken other people to get visas in the past, start to finish?
Hope this all makes sense, I know I am rambling a bit but I am so worried about this. My worst nightmare, having to tell my little girl that she cant go

 

[sharon78]

Sorry i can't help

Just wanted to say welcome to the boards

 

[IanBond]

1st thing dont panic i went through all this last year from an offence 23 years ago and it was my 2 nd visa
I got my letter from scotland yard on the 40th day the day I set off for my app in London!! Cutting it fine or what!!
However I was told my visa could take 3 months so I panicked as my appointment was on Sept 10th and we were flyin Dec 5th
The good news however I got it granted on the day but had to wait around 5 working days for my passport to arrive
if you were not convicted I think youll be fine,The crimes their interestd in is Violence,Murder and Terrorism
Make sure everything is in order and your photos are the right size not UK ones and everything should be smooth
Good Luck IAN

 

[crumpet]

Hi Sharon78 . Thanks for the welcome.

Ian thanks for the reassurance. I have been told by a lot of people not to worry about it and just fill the VWP in but I am a worrier and cant imagine anything worse than getting there and being turned away. When we've spent so much anyway I'd rather pay that bit extra and enjoy the run up and flight.
I am going to do what you did and make my appt. before I get my forms back. What sort of questions do they ask you when you go for your interview and what documentation did you take with you?

Thanks
Crumpet

 

[shellbell]

Hiya Crumpet welcome to the boards

Michelle

 

[allie5]

Hiya Crumpet and WELCOME!

Apparantly there is a backlog on the Visa's. Its now 16 weeks which still should be fine for your holiday. You have done the right thing in starting the process early.

Good luck! Have a fantastic trip!

Allie

 

[IanBond]

Hi Crumpet,Youll find these boards very usefull on PSs and welcome partys etc but stuff like this theirs little interest!
Ive no doubt you and hubby will be issued particularry if you werent convicted and you are doing the right thing getting your visa to take away the worry of them sending you home
I had to reapply because when I was issue with my 1st Visa in 89 I told them everything so I had no choice! But it was easy The only thing I cant stress enough make sur you have everything they supply a list but what I took is--
Copies of court record (From 1981 which I had to get from an Archivist office!,The sheet from Scotland Yard,The sheet from my county HQ,Bank statement (Yes they asked!!)Visa fee payment slip,The RIGHT SIZE photo,passport,very importantly the appointment letter (Forgrt this you wont get in)
When you arrive The (So I was later informed) FBI check you in!!! Then you go through 2 lots of security hand in your stuff the get ticket and prepare for LOOONNNG wait!4 hours in my case but when i was called up questions were fairly straightforward Once he realised I did the crime when I was 17 and now Im 40!
He then asked how I was going to fund the trip so I showed staement No probs,Then said He was granting it and my passport would be forwarded on to me with visa attached it was the week after.
Everyone at the Embassey was really friendly and it was a breeze but I like yopu worried myself sick leading up to it please dont I know youll be fine
I think I covered everything Good Luck
IAN

 

[Rain]

I think it is good that you decided to get a visa Ian, but a question ( I am not advocating dishonesty here) would the US have known about a crime that had taken place 30+ years ago??? I realise that crimes here are spent after 10 years under rehab of offenders act so how would they know.

Last year I told a work colleague that she should apply for a visa for her husband who had been in possesion of drugs in the sixties.

They decided not to do this and to go in on the visa waiver scheme. They had no problem at all. They decided if it was forgotten here it should be elsewhere.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi Crumpet

Welcome to the DIS

 

[Minniespal]

Hiya Crumpet ~

Welcome to the DIS

 

[crumpet]

Thanks everybody for the welcome.
A big thanks to Ian, you have really put my mind at rest. I am just one of those people who when there is a problem wants to sort it out there and then and unfortunately I cant do that but at least now I know more what to expect.
There are no court records as it didn't go to court so I cant get them but am just waiting for pnc check now.
Thanks again

Crumpet