qprchris

Hi everyone, relative newbie here. Very glad to have come across such a useful forum. I hope I can eventually make contributions of some value.

I have a question. After carrying out a search and calling them (and being cut off each time) I'm none the wiser.

This thread suggests that the Belfast Consulate only accepts NI residents;

But this thread a year later suggests you can still travel from the mainland to avoid the excessive waiting times in London.

Does anybody have any recent experience of whether Belfast is still an option for non-NI UK non-immigrant visa applicants?

ian-mstm

Generally, you should send an application to whichever Consulate has jurisdiction over where you live. A different Consulate may accept your application for processing, but they are not obligated to.

Ian

qprchris

Thanks Ian, very useful. Time is of the essence!

newXgate

I would just call the appointments line for the Belfast consulate and ask them if they will take you, given that your residence is not in NI.

You may also want to consider Brussels if Belfast says no. Again, the best way to find out if it is possible is to call them.

Is it a renewal of a previously issued visa or the first time it is being issued ?

sir_eccles

That's an interesting hypothetical question, do European free trade regulations have any effect on where you can file a visa application? I suspect that the consulate can make its own rules and if it insists that you only apply in your local branch then the EU can't make them change.

meauxna

The US consulate makes the rules; the rule is that you apply in the Consular District serving your residence.
If another post will take your case, dandy, but it is at their discretion.

md95065

Why on earth would they?

If you want to get a US visa then you have to follow the rules made by the US, and if they say that the only way that you can get a visa is to apply at a particular place then that is the way that it is.