westwise

I had an 8.30 appointment last year and wasn't to be interviewed until 1.15 leaving the embassy 15 mins later, i think somedays are busier than others

graham8219

So I had my interview in London on 29th September and had my email today to send my passport by DX courier to the embassy.

SethFreakingRollins

Hello all,

I stumbled across this thread when searching for more information regarding entering USA with a waiver of inadmissibility. I have to say the whole process of attending the embassy in London went smoothly. I was initially refused a visa due to my conviction of a CIMT 10 years ago. But was recommended for a waiver of inadmissibility. I was told by the consular officer there was a good chance it would be approved for a 1 year multiple entry. This was in February 2016 and finally received the email to submit my passport in the July. I had my passport returned days later to be greeted with the pleasant surprise of a 5 year visa in my passport. Happy days!

Me and my wife and a couple of friends are due to travel to New York in about 4 weeks time. Hence my first post on this thread!

I'm after people's first hand experiences of entering USA with the waiver of inadmissibility annotation on the visa. Am I likely to experience any issues? Should I expect to be questioned regarding this? Or will CBP take the point of view that I've already answered all relevant questions in my Visa interview and just ask me the same questions they ask everyone entering?

Any feedback would be much appreciated

westwise

Hi, in my experience, and I believe from other posts and chat's with people waiting to enter the U.S, you'll queue with everyone else for the initial part of the process, when the officers checks your paperwork you will then be escorted to 'secondary' where you'll be in a waiting room with others in the same situation plus some who have been sent there for other checks. I am under the impression it is not possible for the first officer to allow you to enter without the secondary officer reviewing your case. The first time I went through this a few years ago the wait was about 5-10 mins , last year it was about an hour, which some regulars in there at the time said was the norm. You can't use your phone in this area.

When it's your turn you're called to the interview room where the officer checks the computer again ( possibly to see if you have been flagged for some reason since your visa was issued) they usually ask you again where your staying, stamp you passport and wish you and enjoyable stay. Job done, this part usually takes only a minute or two at most. I don't believe they will refuse entry unless you have done something that would concern them since your visa was issued.

You may want to consider what anybody travelling with you may need to know, they will have to wait outside but can collect luggage etc.

It's not something too cause a problem but best to know what to expect .

sevorg

I would totally echo what westwise has said, the only question I have had(once) was a casual "do you have a return ticket?)nothing else.The waiting time seems to depend on how many people are already waiting.Once out before my luggage hit the belt, but the average seems to be about 45 mins, I also think it depends on the airport you enter at and how efficient they are.

SethFreakingRollins

Thank you to you and westwise for the replies. It's pretty much what I was expecting. I just wanted to be fully prepared. This thread is really helpful. I've been searching for info regarding entering but everywhere I've looked only talks about the process of obtaining the WOI, nowhere says about the process of actually entering the USA.

Is anyone aware of anyone actually being refused entry for no apparent reason other than them having a WOI?

SethFreakingRollins

I know this post is over 2 years old but has the litigation changed regarding this? I received a 5 year multiple entry visa at the first time of applying?

materialcontroller

Of course it has changed. If you'd bothered to look, you'd have seen that more recent posts in this thread have reflected the new situation.

SethFreakingRollins

I've spent the last hour trawling through posts from the last two years. I don't understand what the attitude is about?

KTG

Maybe the pedigree needs to be used 😁

mikelincs

The thing is is that visa requirements and outcomes are always changing, and do so with immediate effect usually, so what was happening two years ago is almost certainly to be different to what is currently happening.

ian-mstm

I'm sure it happens, yes. Up until 13 days ago, it was probably a pretty rare event. Now, though, I expect people will be scrutinized more by CBP prior to allowing them to enter the US.

Ian

SethFreakingRollins

I'll keep everyone up to date when I go!

materialcontroller

All of the information you are looking for is here.

Posts mentioning how the wording of the FAM was changed and it is now usual to give 5 year waivers of ineligibility. Posts mentioning different people's experiences of entering the USA with a waiver annotation and what might be expected at secondary processing.

You just have to look for it.

westwise

Or perhaps he could just ask , and be offered advice , is that not the point of a discussion forum ?