ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Feb 21st 2018, 12:40 pm
#16
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Assuming that you're not actually implicated in terrorist activities, it is close to certain that your visa will be approved .... but there is a fairly high likelihood that it will be after several months of AP, so you will likely be "good to go" for a winter break next year, and the following three - eight years (depending on what length of visa you are given).
Just remember that when the time comes to renew your visa that you should also allow for the same sort of time delay due to administrative processing i.e. apply (depending on current processing times) eight-ten months ahead of your planned travel.
Just remember that when the time comes to renew your visa that you should also allow for the same sort of time delay due to administrative processing i.e. apply (depending on current processing times) eight-ten months ahead of your planned travel.
Now i have paid for the B2 interview and I live near London I will attend the interview and report back on the process.
Feb 21st 2018, 1:42 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 150
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
I work in the ship repair industry. A few of my friends from the UK have had to go thru the process because of similar travel history. They were able to get their B1/B2 quite quickly. Hope you have the same luck.
Feb 21st 2018, 3:58 pm
#18
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,382
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
I can only offer the best wishes for a quick approval for your upcoming visit to the US. I've not a clue what your last name is and can't tell if you would be on the watch list because of a certain surname. If it goes into AP, and is approved after the proposed visit, at least you will have a visa for future use if you wished to visit the US sometime in the future. I agree, with you, there are other more desirable places to visit worldwide than the US.
Feb 21st 2018, 4:04 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Hopefully you'll get your visa anyway.
Feb 21st 2018, 4:33 pm
#20
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
I can only offer the best wishes for a quick approval for your upcoming visit to the US. I've not a clue what your last name is and can't tell if you would be on the watch list because of a certain surname. If it goes into AP, and is approved after the proposed visit, at least you will have a visa for future use if you wished to visit the US sometime in the future. I agree, with you, there are other more desirable places to visit worldwide than the US.
True there are more desirable places to visit, but after a career in overseas development we are attracted to developed countries that do not have visa problems !!! We did Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa last year.
Feb 23rd 2018, 10:35 am
#21
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Arrived at London embassy at 7.00 am for a 8.00 am interview. The new London embassy is 10 minute walk from Vauxhall Bridge Station it is in a bleak area of concrete blocks and construction sites, no coffee shops, not even an entrepreneurial vender. Queue outside for security: there is no protection from the weather so if it is wet bring an umbrella. There are two queues - blue for US citizens, red for visa applicants signage is poor (non existent) so make sure to join the right queue. After security join the next queue to enter the building, someone will check that you are within your allocated time slot. Enter the building and queue at desk to get a number. Go up to first floor and wait for number to be called. When called queue at the allocated window to have documents scanned and fingerprints taken. Return to next section of waiting area and wait to be called for interview. Numbers are called randomly so keep alert.
My interview lasted 2 minutes after which i was told that my visa was approved and will be issued in 3 to 5 working days. I took supporting document but was not allowed to present any of them. All staff polite and friendly.
I was out of the embassy by 8.30 am. Just over 30 minutes from entering to leaving. But people arriving for later interviews were joining much longer queues at all stages.
I did not see any facilities (food or drink) in the waiting areas. I assume that there are WCs but if so they are not sign posted.
I only had to travel 20 miles to the embassy. If I had travelled from the other end of the country, 200 miles or so, for a 2 minute interview I would have felt somewhat short changed.
Now hoping to get my passport back in time for my flight booking in 12 days time.
My interview lasted 2 minutes after which i was told that my visa was approved and will be issued in 3 to 5 working days. I took supporting document but was not allowed to present any of them. All staff polite and friendly.
I was out of the embassy by 8.30 am. Just over 30 minutes from entering to leaving. But people arriving for later interviews were joining much longer queues at all stages.
I did not see any facilities (food or drink) in the waiting areas. I assume that there are WCs but if so they are not sign posted.
I only had to travel 20 miles to the embassy. If I had travelled from the other end of the country, 200 miles or so, for a 2 minute interview I would have felt somewhat short changed.
Now hoping to get my passport back in time for my flight booking in 12 days time.
Last edited by gottheTshirt; Feb 23rd 2018 at 11:22 am. Reason: typo
Feb 23rd 2018, 10:02 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Those from VWP-eligible countries who have visited Sudan after March 1, 2011, cannot use an ESTA.
https://nl.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program/
https://nl.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program/
Feb 24th 2018, 12:01 am
#30
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: ESTA declined - worked in Sudan
Also many thanks for the detailed description of your visit to the new US embassy and your experiences - that information will be invaluable for others who have interviews coming up. We always appreciate people who come back after their visa interview and describe their experience, and especially at time when the process, or location has changed.
