visa (embassy) related question

[baz]

I know it’s been mentioned plenty of times before, but I have a visa query.
I have a conviction from over 14 yrs ago so I didn’t want to take the chance of going without a visa and getting caught, I phoned the embassy and asked what I would need to do, although I had a fair idea, I told them I had booked the holiday for November next year which I had.
The bloke on the phone then told me that although there were slots available late December for interviews I wouldn’t be able to have one as it was too early as I wasn’t going for 11 months.
He said that if I go for an interview and am granted a visa it would probably run out before my travel date, I then asked were the visa’s not valid for 10yrs or a couple of yrs at least, to which he replied they may only be for the duration of the holiday (2 weeks) or maybe a couple of months.
He said the best thing to do is apply a few months before, I then told him that surely you need the visa in hand before making final travel arrangements, which I’m sure it says on the embassy website, he told me I would have to take that up with the travel agent(uurgh)
I then asked if I was travelling a few months after would I have to apply again(pay £60) YES he replied.

Has anyone applied for there visa quite a while before travelling as I’m sure it the common sense thing to do rather than leave it until last minute and risk losing the holiday and £.

 

[kazzie]

Baz,

My DH has a 10 year visa that expires in January.He went to the Embassy just this morning and was told there and then a new visa was approved.When I asked him how long the visa was for,he told me he didn't ask

They said we should receive it after about a week.

I wouldn't leave it until only a couple of months before myself I have read of applicants who don't have the visa approved there and then and the decision has to be reffered to someone else,this would delay things a lot.Or if for some reason you are refused a visa you can then appeal,again this would take ages.

When you have your interview you can tell them you have a holiday booked for a few months ahead.I photocopied out holiday invoice for DH and it was looked at.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[baz]

thanks for the reply Karen,
just to update the topic a little I phoned back this afternoon as I wasn’t happy with what the first person told me, I thankfully got through to someone else.
The second fellow who was much more help told me more or less what you just said Karen, that I could make an appointment now with no problems, he’ll send me an information pack and confirmation of my interview through the post which will detail everything I will need on the day (4th jan) he also said that many applicants are given a decision there and then, although the visa etc will arrive later.
Also he asked me to bring any documentation which will vouch for my being a person of good standing, letters from employer, etc.

I know many people take the chance and I’m sure they’ll have no problems and rightly so I believe, I do think it’s nothing more than a £ making scheme but I’d just be too worried when I stepped off that plane, and as there’s over a dozen of us going I don’t want to spoil everyone else’s holiday, although when they get to the parks I’m sure they will soon forget about me
I shall let you know the outcome.

Take care………….baz

 

[kazzie]

Baz,
I think you're right.
When my DH first got one 10 years ago it was because of the thought of getting off the 'plane with 3 children and being refused entry,it would be heart breaking.

Although I'm now positive that the US don't have access as a matter of course to our criminal records information,it is just not worth the worry for you.It could spoil the lead up to your holiday.

What I can't belive is my DH was told the visa was approved,but he didn't ask what visa he'd been given So we have to wait to see if it is another 10 year visa or I suppose it could be just for the next holiday I'll post when I know!

Good Luck for your interview.Lots of people didn't have the correct paperwork when my DH went yesterday,be really careful you have everything.

 

[baz]

hi karen,
sorry to pester but what roughly did your hubby have to take with him,
i believe the forms i need to fill in are the ,
DS 156
DS 157
VCU 1
i'll also need passport, police record sheet and a couple of phots i believe,although i'm sure there will be more things when i receive the paperwork detailing this, by the way did you have to provide details of your means for paying for the holiday, wages slips, savings etc..

regards...........baz

 

[kazzie]

Baz,

Thats all of it I think! I don't know if you realised but the photograph that you need to take isn't the standard pasport photo size What a con! DH had to go to Snappy Snaps to get them done.

He didn't take proof of how he paid for the holiday but he did take proof he intends to return to the UK.So I put in the mortgage papers.He was asked if we owned our own home and how long we'd lived there.

If you want to ask anything else post here or PM me if it's more private!

 

[baz]

will do thanks for your time .....baz

 

[kazzie]

Baz,

How did you get on??

Karen

 

[baz]

Hi kaz,
Sorry about the late reply, been busy with work etc,
thankfully had my visa approved, my appointment was at 12.30 last Tuesday got the train to London as I couldn't be bothered driving from Manchester, and the train journey is only just over 2hrs so it's quicker than car.
Got into London about 10.45 and managed to find the embassy within a few minutes, although it was quiet at this time so I decided to get a coffee.
I come back for around 12.10 only to walk round the corner to the sight of around 300 people,
Hmmm I thought can't all be here for visas, after asking the fellow at the back of the queue my suspicions were confirmed all here for there 12.30 appointments, he then told me that this was his second time here as he was refused 10 months earlier, although he had minor convictions last time he come he had visited the US 12 times in the last 6yrs and they refused him on the grounds he had visited on them previous occasions illegally by using the visa waiver.
So he had returned armed with a letter from his local MP, some high ranking policeman and many more well to do characters.
I then waited an hour and a half to get in the building, which wasn't so bad for me but there were pensioners there really struggling with the standing for so long.
Great I thought by this time it's a case of in and out now (was I wrong)
we then got asked the usual questions by the door men, turn phones off, any cameras,etc.
We are then told to go to the ticket machine take a ticket which issues you with your number in the queue, you then pay your £10 for the envelope which will eventually have your documents they send back to you hopefully including your visa, although you will get this £ back if your visa is refused.

Into the waiting area then, basically a huge room with chairs and around 20 cubicles, drinks and snacks are available also, the tannoy speaker then rung out number 32 to cubicle 7.
what number is my ticket i thought ***564*** oh my god, so basically it's just a waiting game until your number comes up,
your first called to one of the windows to check your paperwork then told to sit back down until your interview,
around 5.45 my number was called,go to cubicle 17, by this time i had been watching many people come and go and around the last 20 from number 17 had been refused the visa as your able to see them go and collect there £10 back and had in the envelope they no longer need.
went to the window the fellow behind it looked at my conviction asked my how long i had been with my current employer 12 yrs i told him asked if he would like to see the letter i had off them, no i believe you was his reply, i then asked would he like to see any of my other paperwork, which i had masses of, letter of good character, bank statements, etc,etc.

he said there was no need and i was sent on my way with him telling me the visa will arrive very shortly, to my relief.
Also he told me the embassy normally closes at 5pm but due to massive numbers it's been open till 7 some nights, so be prepared for a wait.
So I got it in the end but it was a long horrible day,
as it's already been said on here I’m pretty sure you don't need the visa as many people I spoke to had just returned from Florida no problem but like me the worry got the better of them, it's obviously a case of take you chance or got through the right channels and spend a couple of hours waiting around.
I obviously chose the latter.
I must say though that I was surprised how many people actually got turned away, mainly for undeclared previous visits and not to do with convictions.

Hope this may help some of you, thanks for the help kaz.

Regards......baz

 

[kazzie]

At least it's all done now

You never have to have that sick feeling inside that 'what if' you get stopped.

It's bad enough having to go to the Embassy if you live in London but you having to go to all those lengths from Manchester

I'm surprised that people don't start saying they rather go elsewhere than the US and not go through that palaver

 

[patdavies]

You never have to have that sick feeling inside that 'what if' you get stopped.

Not quite. A visa is no guarantee of admission on arrival. You can still be stopped and refused entry if you do not satisfy the immigration officer on entry with your answers.

The visa is only to 'replace' the inability to use the VWP

 

[alexandra uk]

Has anyone ever heard of anyone being refused at immigration after being granted a visa by The Embassy ?

That would be a nightmare

 

[patdavies]

From the FAQ section of the US Embassy website

What is a visa?
A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry. An immigration inspector at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the United States.

 

[alexandra uk]

So does that mean that they give you another grilling at immigration when you get there.
I'd be a bag of nerves.

 

[patdavies]

It's the same 'grilling' that everybody gets Visa or VWP. Ultimately, the decision is the immigration officier's as to whether to admit or not.

Personally, I wish that our immigration procedures were as thorough.

 

[baz]

hello all,
just a quick update, my visa arrived yesterday, the only problem being that it expires (jan 06) so i was only issued a 12 month one
I did put down on my paperwork that i was travelling in october to florida, and would be also travelling march next year.
So i phoned the embassy today costing me £1.30/min and explained that although i was happy to receive the visa i ideally expected one to cover me for at least both trips if not longer, the operator then informed me that you could be issued a visa just for a matter of weeks, if they so wish.
So i will now have to apply again a few months before the start of my second trip and go through exactly the same thing again.

I'm probably not going to bother with renewing the visa , i'll visit in october but will contact the travel agent and change my march trip to somewhere else, as i'm not going begging for a visa again in such a short space of time, and lining there pockets with more $$$$.

regards.....baz

 

[kazzie]

Baz,

It's great you got your visa for October but not to cover March

I don't blame you at all for not going through it again for next year,my Husband wouldn't have done it either if he hadn't got another 10 year visa.There's a great wide world out there that I for one aren't exploring properly while being 'obsessed' with Florida.

If you are 'safe' enough that they can issue you a 12 month visa how can it be anymore than a money making exercise not to give you a 10 year visa??

 

[robyn323]

I have been reading your post and I have to tell all of you my heart goes out to you. All the trouble you have to go thru seems so frustrating! We don't have to go thru 1/2 of the trouble you do to get a visa. And I do not understand this statement about how they can give you the amount of time they want to give you! seems kind of rude to me. I'm sorry you have to go thru this just to go on vacation with your families. Good luck to all of you..

 

[gkjones]

So does that mean that they give you another grilling at immigration when you get there.
I'd be a bag of nerves.

I read somewhere on the american embassy site that if you are granted a visa it only gives you the right to travel to the US but not guarantee entry, as the immigration officer will question you. But I think they only question you if you are a student and have applied for a visa to visit friends there for a holiday, and they suspect that you may not want to return to UK. If you are going with your family on a Disney trip, I should imagine they would be fairly sure you will be returning home. Also, my husband had applied and was granted a visa, he had a conviction 15 years ago for fighting with other lads when he was 18 years old. When we arrived at Sanford, because my husband had a visa, the immigration officer immediately said, "well, well, well what have you been up to"? My husband not wanting to go into detail in front of our 12 year old son, replied that it was a long time ago and had already discussed it at the Embassy in London. He then put his visa through a scanner, and looked at the screen, and whether or not the information was on screen, we are not sure, but he said, "I see you sorted it out at the embassy in London sir" He then went on to joke about something or other, but it still embarrassed my husband.

 

[kazzie]

As the poster above my DH was asked at immigration why he has a visa in front of our 3 children (who don't know why he has one or needs one).He manged a vaque reply too.I was surprised at this and thought it inappropriate.

BUT having said that if they were to call him aside to talk to him in private we would all get really worried/scared