Visa applications - New rules from January 1st 2003

[alexandra uk]

As of 1st Jan anyone who doesn't qualify for the visa waiver program, and has to get a visa, will need to go to London or Belfast to the Embassy to do so. They will no longer accept applications by post.
Take a look at this article -
http://travel.independent.co.uk/news_and_advice/story.jsp?story=364143

 

[Olaf]

This is so stupid! Our INS has gone way overboard. They're under the gun because of a series of foulups they've made recently and now they're penalizing innocent people.

 

[kazzie]

Thanks for that Alex

 

[alexandra uk]

It is a bit much isn't it

 

[IAN5150]

I got a US Visa on my last passport in the eighties will I be able to use that with my new passport-In effect take 2 passports wirth me??

 

[vernon]

Ian, unles you are disqualified from the visa waiver program you won't need to get a visa or take your old passport with you. The following is the telling paragraph.

For the vast majority of the five million or so British holidaymakers and business travellers who go to America each year, nothing has changed: you will continue to fill in a form on the plane, and most people will qualify for a 90-day stay. But around 130,000 travellers from the UK each year need visas. That figure includes students on exchange schemes or work programmes, people with overseas passports who are resident in Britain – and, crucially, anyone who has ever been arrested, anywhere in the world, regardless of whether or not they were convicted of any offence.

And

The arrival card for people travelling on the visa waiver program asks specifically about crimes involving "moral turpitude" (believed to be a reference to prostitution or pimping) or a "controlled substance" (drugs). But the rules have now been toughened to insist on visas for "people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction".

 

[IAN5150]

It looks like I need a visa I was arresred 22 years ago as a youth- in the eighties went I went to USA I told them all about it and got a Visa nothings changed just that passport ran out but the visa says lasts indefinitly can I take 2 passports through?

 

[athurstance]

Ian,

There is a lot of info about the visa situation at:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/faqs/niv/faq_visas.htm#two

I copied the following which I think means you will need a new visa but I would check with the embassy if you're unsure.

"How long is a visa good for?
You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the date it expires, or if your visa says that it is valid "indefinitely", you may use it for ten years from the date of issuance.

I have a visa in my old passport. Can I just transfer it over?
It is not possible to transfer a visa from one passport to another without making a new visa application. Please note that the Embassy no longer issues visas valid "indefinitely". If you are issued a new visa it will have a maximum validity of ten years.

My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport; do I need a new visa?
If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired, the visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, the passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.

My old visa says "Indefinite"; is it still valid?
Since February 1, 1995, "indefinite" validity visas have been valid for a maximum of ten years from the date of issuance. Consequently, if the visa in your passport is a B-1/B-2 visa valid for multiple applications "indefinitely" you may continue to use it for business and/or pleasure purposes for ten years from the date of issuance.

The United States Government no longer issues "indefinite" validity visas. The maximum validity of a B-1/B-2 visa is ten years. The ten year validity period applies regardless of the fact that the applicant may have previously held an "indefinite" visa."

Angela

 

[IAN5150]

Seems like a trip to London for me,Surely for a "renewal" of a visa the personal trip is uneccesary I thought a special rule would have worked - £67 plus a 640 mile round trip! Nothing ever goes smooth! Thanks for all the help IAN

 

[alexandra uk]

Ian - I don't know when you have your next trip planned for, but mine is for November.
I've just been on the phone to the Embassy, and been told that it is too early to apply, and that I should leave it until about 4 months before my trip. I explained that I have already booked and paid a deposit, and that I don't want to pay any more yet until my visa is processed (in case of any complications), but he said I don't think they will do it this early.
He's sent the forms out, so I'm going to apply anyway. It takes quite a while to process.
Just thought I'd let you know

ps. Where in your passport does the visa go, and is it just a stamp with an expiry date on it ?

 

[IAN5150]

Alex that leaves it all a bit tighter doesnt it? Im flying Dec but like you want the visa in place before paying hol off so if you pay 8 weeks before departure it give you 8-10 weeks for THe Visa doesnt it? Should all be OK but you want it done and dudted dont you,
The Visa in my passport was stamped on THe 1st page it takes up the whole page with issue date and mine says indefinitly so of course now I figure thats changed to expiry date, Thanks IAN

 

[alexandra uk]

I've just e mailed the Embassy to find out for sure. The operator I spoke to said " I don't think they'll do it " he never said "they won't".
In the e mail I asked if this was the case, then how soon could I apply.
I'll let you know as soon as they get back to me.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I'm so glad I read this thread, I work for a travel agents and have heard nothing about the changes with regards to people who had previously been arrested

A good friend of mine got arrested a couple of years back and is going to New York in the spring, he's been to the States before in fact his brother lives there! but wouldn't have known about this.

Also I will need to make sure that all my clients are aware of this. I can't believe there's not been more in our travel press or from our head office about this.

 

[R1-IAN]

So does this mean i need one,i was arrested 16 years ago for G.B.H But they drop the case against me,so will i still need one and how do i find out if i do......Cheers ian

 

[IAN5150]

Hi IAN,Yeah Im afraid you need one theres a link further up apparently if youve ever been arrested and were guilty or not you have to ,click on the link all the infos there,Cheers (Another!!) IAN

 

[R1-IAN]

I phone up the us Embassy today,and ask them. they said to me if you havent been to court i will be ok,they said just tick the arrested box with a no....I told them what i was arrested for but i wasnt charge...so now what do i do....