USA Visa How Long??

[IAN5150]

Im one who doesnt qualify for Visa Waiver due to a sentencing (Not prison!) 22 years ago you know larking with mates and nicking apples!! TRUE!! I know I have to go to London (650 mile round trip) Anyone any info howlong it all takes
Im gathering info this week from the court of the dates-It was that long ago I dont know,Then ringing for an appointment any one know when Ill get it? My last visa was issued in 89 ran out in 99 ( even though it was indefinitly when issued)
I dont fly till Dec so im keeping everything crossed Though I have to pay balance at end of October,Any Help? Cheers

 

[catherine]

I'm sorry I can't help you as far as the visa goes, but we applied to the Embassy for an appointment to get my youngest DD registered for American Citizenship and to get passports for both of my DDs about 3 weeks ago and we are going on the 12th Aug.

Don't know whether this info is of any help or not, but it will at least bump you up

 

[Lobey]

I had a wee look through the US Embassy Web site for you. They don't actually state a time, only that you should apply "well in advance"...

You can find more info here .

Cheers

Paul

 

[IAN5150]

Thanks for the help people,Ive made a lot of enquires,I no longer have a record it was as minor as they come,So The police HQ tell me I dont exist to Scotland yard! However In The US they dont use that system So Ive still got to go down to London in person with a memorandum of sentence from the court which is basically a blank sheet of paper! Ive no doubt my Visa will be issued but Im getting twitchy about the timescale!! Thanks Ian

 

[floridalol]

Hi Ian

There will be no problem in you getting a visa, just do it as soon as possible. Do you know what system the Americans use then? If there is no file on you at Scotland Yard, where IS the file that they have on you - quite concerning that, I think.

I read recently that all people with criminal records of violence (GBH, ABH, Affray etc.) will be refused entry though. Not surprising with events since 9/11.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[beth j]

reading in todays paper there is a letter regarding visa forms, it says that from october this year visitors to the u s will have to provide a full visa unless they can give full details of accommidation address including zip code and phone number.
major panic, we are due to travel in november and are staying in a apartment with no phone
the letter seems to imply that we will be turned back at the airport, can anyone advise please virgin are unhelpful.

 

[IAN5150]

Hi Lol Thanks for the words of reassurance! ill get a VISA Ok its just that Im a born worrier!
My offence was minor and 22 years ago so its spent and scrubbed off police records So Ive no record,People who commit ABH,Affray Terrorism etc never get it scrubbed it stays for life,However everyone in America never gets it scrubbed any offence big or small stays for life,sothey treat us the same so according to them i still have a record,even though my county HQ and Scotlandyard tell me I havnt! Cheers IAN

 

[floridalol]

Beth - I presume you have booked the apartment independently otherwise Virgin would have all the details for you. I would think the apartment block would have a communal telephone in the lobby so it shouldn't be too hard to find out the number from the company you are renting from and put this on the waiver form.

Otherwise contact the US embassy for advice.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[beth j]

thanks for the reply, i did book through virgin, but when i phoned them up today to inquire about it, the operator did not know anything about the new regulations and was unable to give me any information about a land line to the apartments (villas of sommerset)
gets me thinking though do the americans want any tourism or not? when i was in the travel agent last there was a woman canceling her florida holiday because her husband had just picked up his first conviction for drink driving (she said he was half a pint over the limit). seems to me that they have gone way over the top since sept 11 and are punishing innocent people.
my balance is due to be paid soon but i am seriousley thinking of cancelling the holiday if i cannot find a phone number.
rather that than be sent home at the airport.

 

[floridalol]

Beth - Having booked everything through Virgin I don't think you will have a problem - US immigration will have the details through Virgin - as I read it a telephone number is only required if you are not staying at a hotel or complex (which you are). Contact an advisor at Virgin and insist on speaking to someone with knowledge of the new regulations.

A driving ban will result in someone not being able to hire a car whilst it is in force but will not effect entry into USA. As stated previously only those with records of crimes of violence will not be admitted.

By the way, Dutch International footballer Patrick Kluivert was refused entry a few days ago because he had not applied for a visa and he has a serious driving offence to his name (death by dangerous driving (I think)) so the rules apply to everyone not just ordinary mortals like ourselves!

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[floridalol]

I've just been told that any drug related offenders are refused a visa as well.

FloridaLol

 

[beth j]

hi there
calmed down a bit now
everyone who has committed a crime no matter how long ago needs a visa even something like a conviction for not having a t v license. you could take a chance and hope it wont get picked up at the airport, but if it were me i would not want the worry.
spoke to the embassy about it all just now.
however this address and phone number thing does worry me, virgin told me to phone their customer services number but it just rings and rings then cuts off.
the letter in todays mail says
from october this year, those of us who like to arrive in the u.s. hire a car and tour around will need to be in possession of a full visa to do so.
this must be obtained at great expense and after much form filling from the u.s. embassy in london. only those holiday makers who can supply a full american address and telephone number for their stay will be allowed to use the visa waiver scheme.
many others will find themselves being turned back at immigration when they realise they have forgotten to take the phone number of their holiday hotel with them.
i have visions of being one of those being turned back if i cant supply a phone number, i would get a visa but it takes 12 weeks from the time of your interview (earliest appointment september) and costs over sixty pounds each, i dont know if children need one or not.
like i said america has gone stupid, none of this is going to stop terrorism, it just causes distress and worry to innocent people who just want to enjoy themselves on holiday.
serves them right if their whole tourist industry collapses.

 

[IAN5150]

Ive booked hol for Dec but my appointment is Sept 10th and then the up to 12 week wait takes it to Dec 3rd i fly Dec 5th! I dont know what to do try and rebook for Feb? then i might save deposit that way and pass it over or lose deposit and rebook in Feb,If i do decide to change it to Feb then my visa comes through say in Nov I will be browned off because i really want to go in Dec but id be gutted to pay balance in oct when due and not get visa in time and lose 2 grand .Im in a real pickle,earlier in year i was told you couldnt apply for visa more than 4 months before flying so i did and this happens,if we dont go in dec the kids will be gutted

 

[Sue & Co.]

Hi, I was concerned when I read this on the same day that I read in the paper that more details were going to be required (some of which we do not yet have) so I e-mailed the US embassy in London. They sent back a reply with a link to the site giving details of the new requirements from Oct. 2003 but it is all about the type of passport that you need and does not mention more details of addresses/phone numbers! Could someone advise where (other than the Daily Mail) that they were told that these would be needed or they would be refused entry to the US. We don't go until November but if I need to panic I would like to do it now.

 

[beth j]

you could ask your travel agent, but in my experience with the holiday hypermarket, they just dont know or dont care. they have got your money and get out of any responsability for visas by refering you to the small print on your booking form that says visas are your sole responsability.
ian, 12 weeks is the minimum time after your interview before your visa arrives so i think you might be in trouble. what with the story on the news today that america is expecting another sept 11 style attack, the already paranoid yanks are only going to get worse. checks are going to take longer and they may well change their requirments again. We just dont know.
Im very worried about it, if virgin cant get back to me within a few days im going to think about cancelling and going to eurodisney and spain or somewhere instead.

 

[IAN5150]

Yeah Im kind of resigned to the fact I aint making the holiday annoying thing is been planning it for 2 years,S if I can get Virgin to hold deposit till next feb Ill be laughing,Ill just go then as long as A.My visa is issued B.My visa has arrived,
Kids have took it quite well but we really wanted to go at Christmastime but I keep singing Monty Python-Always look on the bright side....
Chin up Beth I hope you have more luck than me Ive been reading some of the other posts,How do I get a res for so and so? i wish I had their problems,

 

[floridalol]

Hi Ian

If you have not already done this:- try phoning the embassy and explain your travel arrangements, they might book you in earlier, I'm sure that they do not want to discourage visitors to USA.

Good luck!

FloridaLol

 

[MrsGrumpy]

This is probably a silly question, but how do the US immigration know if a UK citizen has got a criminal record? Can they tell when looking at your passport, even for a minor crime? Do they have a way of checking up on all of us? Quite scary.

I also read that as from October if you don't have the right kind of passport that they can scan you have to apply for a visa too. Good job we're all so keen.

PS Been back 2 weeks now and seriously depressed!

 

[kazzie]

For people worried they don't have the actual address of an aprtment/villa becuase they will be getting the details when they arrive,I'm sure the address of the office of their travel company is OK to give.Eg the address of the local Virgin office in Orlando.

 

[Phil R]

Ian.
I am really puzzled by all of this. If you do not have a criminal record in this country how can you possibly have a criminal record in the US. Surely they can only update their records from details held in this country.

I wonder if all the current press over this is not blowing the problem out of proportion.

Phil.