Need Visa for US

Willis_2 · 3 May 2006 at 8:53AM

Basically what the title says, I'm going to the states at the end of August but because I've a criminal record (a long time ago) I need a visa and wanted some advice.

How long will the process take? What is the cost? Am I likely to get denied? I've booked the flights and read through some of the forms on the US Embassy and am in the process of getting the relevant paperwork from my police station.

Will I need to visit the embassy in person?

Thanks,

Willis

arealhighlander · 3 May 2006 at 11:50AM

Wills,

dont know any details about applying for Visas. But I do believe that the London Embassy gets very busy and it can take a while.

A lot of guys I work with work in USA. Their companies send their application for a Visa to the US Embassy in Belfast. They guys have to fly to Belfast to collect their visas (so I assume from this then yes, you must get it personnally).

Once you find out more details on getting aVisa, if it is going to take a while to get, you may want to look at applying via the Belfast embassy, this would save you a lot of time. Lots of low cost flights to Belfast as well.

alanrowell · 3 May 2006 at 12:32PM

You have to attend the embassy for an interview, there's no getting round this.

And ensure that you are prepared for the interview - follow the advice on the US embassy website to the letter

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/index.html

sale_2 · 3 May 2006 at 3:23PM

willis,

u definately have to visit the embassy for interview. for british passport holders you can apply by post. US embassy has a contract with the courier company and for all US embassy related stuff you need to go thru them.

you need to fill DS156 and all males need to fill an additional form DS-157. they are particular about the photo size and most of the studios in UK don't do that size so you need to cut to size yourself.

the expenses are £65 application fees / £10 for delivery of passport once visa is issued/ Issuance fees this will depend upon your nationality.

hope this helps alternatively go to US embassy website and they are self explanatory.

hope this helps.

Willis_2 · 7 May 2006 at 3:59PM

Cheers all for the help, I've filled in my DS156 and 157 and got my photo. I've sent my Subject Access form to the Police but it's not entirely clear on the US embassy site what to do next?

I think I need to call them for an appointment now but I take I need my form back from the police first? How long will this take? Making my holiday very expensive!

jenniferpa · 7 May 2006 at 4:33PM

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and my information may be outdated, but it could take months. Since 9/11 there have been cases reported sopradically in the news of various high profile individuals who have been unable to get visas within 6 months in order to fulfill performing contracts and the like. Whatever you do, don't wait around - call the embassy tomorrow! Having just checked the state department's wait times, they are listing 33 days for visitors visas appointments plus 3 work days for processing, plus whatever time it takes to get papers back and forth, and that's for a straightforward application. According to the consular site, if you tick box 38, (have you been convicted of a crime etc) you can expect to wait a minimum of 14-16 weeks before hearing the outcome! That takes you to past your holiday date I'm afraid. You might get lucky, but I doubt it.

Jennifer

Edited to add
this is the link for making an appointment
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/appointment.html

Willis_2 · 7 May 2006 at 5:37PM

Also I'm in London on the 26th of the month, how long will it take to get my form back from the police, thinking I might book an appointment anyway and chance it.

I'm due to go away end of August will I get my Visa sorted in time?

jenniferpa · 7 May 2006 at 6:58PM

While no one can be certain, even if you get an appointment on the 26th, 14 weeks takes you to September 1st! On the face of it, no, you won't get the visa in time. I have no idea, though, how accurate those 14-16 weeks quoted are. It would be nice to be able to say, call, and get an accurate estimate, but I suspect that the response will be 14-16 weeks! Unless of course, its dramatically longer, in which case they might tell you. I think whether you go forward with this depends on 1) could you rearrange your holiday without incurring extra expense (favourite) 2) If you can't are you prepared to spend whatever the fee is to get a visa ($100?) on the understanding that you might not get it in time (in which case you'll have spent whatever the holiday cost plus the visa cost and only end up with the visa.) There is, of course, no guarantee that you will get the visa anyway.

Jennifer

misskool · 7 May 2006 at 8:41PM

I applied for a US visa at the beginning of March, got an appointment date in one week, got the visa issued on the day, couried back to me in 2 days. However, you are now approaching peak season and the London office does get inunduated with applications from all nationalities who reside in the UK that may need more processing time.
PS-you may not get an appointment on the day you want, it's up to them really. And there's no getting around the £1.50 a minute phone line for booking an appointment, takes about 5 minutes, minimum!
edit as to the passport photo, http://www.epassportphoto.com/ is a free online service that will resize the photo to the required size. Upload a pic, print it off to check all the measurements are ok, then bring it boots to print (unfortunately they require real photo paper to issue the visa). Cost about 50p rather than £20 they would charge you to get it taken.

raymond · 7 May 2006 at 8:44PM

You can fly to Belfast and get an appointment fairly quickly

Willis_2 · 7 May 2006 at 9:31PM

Oh well, we'll wait and see and fingers crossed. Sent my paperwork off to the police, fingers crossed it's back for the 26th, if not I'm assuming I can change the appointment.

Need Visa for US

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