IEC American Visa Issues
Oct 17th 2011, 3:28 pm
#1
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Joined: Oct 2011
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IEC American Visa Issues
Sorry if this has already been posted somewhere, i have had a look but i can't find anything.
I have been accepted for the International Ecperience Canada Scheme and have already got flights and insurance. I am intending to leave on Sunday 23rd (less than a weeks time).
My flight has a two hour stopover at JFK airport in New York. I was getting my application for the Visa Waiver Program sorted when I discoved that as I will be in Canada (north america) for over 90 days (the iec allows me to stay for a year) I am not eligible and am required to get a visa. I don't have time to get a visa before my flight, their website suggests it will take a minimum of 8 days and i have only 6. My airline ticket won't allow me to upgrade to a direct flight and i don't have enough money to purchase a new Direct ticket. What should i do? Will the fact that i am clearly only going to be in transit during my stay in america be sufficient for an immigration oficial to let me through?
Does anyone else have any experience with a situation like this? How nice are american immigration officials? What would happen to me if i tried to get through but was refused?
Thank you.
I have been accepted for the International Ecperience Canada Scheme and have already got flights and insurance. I am intending to leave on Sunday 23rd (less than a weeks time).
My flight has a two hour stopover at JFK airport in New York. I was getting my application for the Visa Waiver Program sorted when I discoved that as I will be in Canada (north america) for over 90 days (the iec allows me to stay for a year) I am not eligible and am required to get a visa. I don't have time to get a visa before my flight, their website suggests it will take a minimum of 8 days and i have only 6. My airline ticket won't allow me to upgrade to a direct flight and i don't have enough money to purchase a new Direct ticket. What should i do? Will the fact that i am clearly only going to be in transit during my stay in america be sufficient for an immigration oficial to let me through?
Does anyone else have any experience with a situation like this? How nice are american immigration officials? What would happen to me if i tried to get through but was refused?
Thank you.
Oct 17th 2011, 3:36 pm
#2
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,030
Re: IEC American Visa Issues
Sorry if this has already been posted somewhere, i have had a look but i can't find anything.
I have been accepted for the International Ecperience Canada Scheme and have already got flights and insurance. I am intending to leave on Sunday 23rd (less than a weeks time).
My flight has a two hour stopover at JFK airport in New York. I was getting my application for the Visa Waiver Program sorted when I discoved that as I will be in Canada (north america) for over 90 days (the iec allows me to stay for a year) I am not eligible and am required to get a visa. I don't have time to get a visa before my flight, their website suggests it will take a minimum of 8 days and i have only 6. My airline ticket won't allow me to upgrade to a direct flight and i don't have enough money to purchase a new Direct ticket. What should i do? Will the fact that i am clearly only going to be in transit during my stay in america be sufficient for an immigration oficial to let me through?
Does anyone else have any experience with a situation like this? How nice are american immigration officials? What would happen to me if i tried to get through but was refused?
Thank you.
I have been accepted for the International Ecperience Canada Scheme and have already got flights and insurance. I am intending to leave on Sunday 23rd (less than a weeks time).
My flight has a two hour stopover at JFK airport in New York. I was getting my application for the Visa Waiver Program sorted when I discoved that as I will be in Canada (north america) for over 90 days (the iec allows me to stay for a year) I am not eligible and am required to get a visa. I don't have time to get a visa before my flight, their website suggests it will take a minimum of 8 days and i have only 6. My airline ticket won't allow me to upgrade to a direct flight and i don't have enough money to purchase a new Direct ticket. What should i do? Will the fact that i am clearly only going to be in transit during my stay in america be sufficient for an immigration oficial to let me through?
Does anyone else have any experience with a situation like this? How nice are american immigration officials? What would happen to me if i tried to get through but was refused?
Thank you.
Oct 17th 2011, 3:40 pm
#3
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Re: IEC American Visa Issues
Thank you very much, I'll do that.
Oct 17th 2011, 5:08 pm
#4
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Re: IEC American Visa Issues
Should anyone in a similar situation stumble accross this, the link to the thread on the USA forum is http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...40#post9679840.
Oct 17th 2011, 5:12 pm
#5
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: IEC American Visa Issues
this is why you should avoid flying through the US (imo)
Oct 17th 2011, 5:33 pm
#6
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Re: IEC American Visa Issues
this is why you should avoid flying through the US (imo)
It looks like i can get a full refund from my american airlines flight. so i don't think i'll take the risk, i'll just buy a direct ticket. Thanks very much for all of your help everyone. I really appreciate it.
Oct 17th 2011, 8:24 pm
#7
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posts: 682
Re: IEC American Visa Issues
For future reference the answer with regard to VWP entry for people without permanent residence in Canada who end their journey in Canada is:
It depends. The CBP officer might admit you, or might not.
Officially the stance is apply for a B-2 visa, however the chances of a young VWP national receiving that visa is very low, and refusal means your ESTA application is likely to be refused for some time - meaning bye bye USA.
If/When I travel to Canada I think I would fly direct and then once you have demonstrable residential ties to Canada I would feel happy to travel to the US. I think the CBP officer would be satisfied of permanent residence (by which I mean the layman definition not PR) with a provincial driver's licence, Canadian bank card, work permit/study permit/PR card. But at the end of the day they can refuse entry to you simply because you look a bit funny - there are no rights at all under the VWP.
It depends. The CBP officer might admit you, or might not.
Officially the stance is apply for a B-2 visa, however the chances of a young VWP national receiving that visa is very low, and refusal means your ESTA application is likely to be refused for some time - meaning bye bye USA.
If/When I travel to Canada I think I would fly direct and then once you have demonstrable residential ties to Canada I would feel happy to travel to the US. I think the CBP officer would be satisfied of permanent residence (by which I mean the layman definition not PR) with a provincial driver's licence, Canadian bank card, work permit/study permit/PR card. But at the end of the day they can refuse entry to you simply because you look a bit funny - there are no rights at all under the VWP.
