MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I'm planning a 4 month visit to the USA next year. It means I'll need a Visa as the Vistor Visa Waiver scheme is only good for three months. I checked out the website.
I'll need to go to London to the Embassy to apply. Has anyone been through the system? What to expect that is not mentioned on the website? Any practical info?
Take a book
I stayed for 5 months by driving into Mexico for a night. As it was I was a day late leaving, but no-one checked. Was planning to kip in the car in Mexicali, but fear got the better of me and I drove back in that night. A long wait at the border with some not so fresh hombres and crew cut border guards. Memorable though.
Probably doesn't help.
Be prepared to wait!
Double check you have every sheet of paper you need AND that all the appropriate ones are signed.
We went this summer for our J1 and J2 visas. It went something like;
Turn up at 7:30am for 8am.
Queued to get to initial document check and pre-security security
Queued to go through security scan
Queued to get a ticket at the front desk
Wait for number to be called
Initial window interview with surly official
Wait for number to be called again
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
(repeat for 90 minutes)
Go to second interview at a different window for 2 minutes.
Queue to pay courier fees
Annoyingly you can't switch off as the numbers are not called in order...
I have quite a bit of experience in not filling out required government paperwork, and it has worked out well for me (thusfar). Would recommend it.
The penalty for overstaying a US visa by less than 180 days is nothing.
You'll need a b1/b2 visa that allows visits for up to 6 months, however these are not easily attainable unless you have a good qualifying reason as to why you MUST spend more than the 90 days allowable on visa waiver program. Saying simply for pleasure is not going to qualify.
I wouldnt recommend overstaying when entering on a visa waiver, they are hot on this now and you may face problems whdn re-entering in the future, you can easily create admissibility problems for yourself.
Another thing, when the immigration officer asks you how long your going to stay in the country its not a good idea to be deceitful. If your on a one way airplane ticket this is going to be a problem for you as it does not show intent to return, similarly if you did buy a return ticket dated after the 90 day visit period.
Is your trip going anywhere near a border, hop the border for a week to renew the 90 day access period?
Saying simply for pleasure is not going to qualify
I'm going to do a Trans Am ride that will take about 75 to 80 days, and I want to hang on for another event in mid September.