Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Cool, thats good then. My husband was class b back in 2008, same - caution. So I'm hoping he gets approved too!
I hope you have a good break!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi All,

I have read lots of the stories, and its good to hear some of the successes!

I am a UK citizen and have 1 conviction for possession of a class A substance (2 ecstasy pills) 7-8 years ago where I received a fine. It was a one off stupid mistake which I have totally regretted.

I am hoping to go to USA for a holiday next year and thinking of starting the visa/embassy process.I understand lots of people lie and go the ESTA route, however, even putting the fact this is offence aside, it would also cause major issues in the future if...

• UK relax the rules of sharing criminal records with the USA.
• ESTA process is retired.
• I needed a work visa.
• I wanted to live in the USA.

(I don't have any plans for this, however who knows what the future holds)

7-8 years on from my conviction I have had good career (even had a job with a large USA defense firm during this time), bought a house, got married and now have a daughter.

I understand I would need to visit the embassy where they would most likely deny the visa due to the nature of the drug offence.

My questions are:

• What is the the likelihood of the embassy official recommending I am put forward for a waiver of ineligibility?
• What do you feel the likelihood of being offered a B2 Visa after going through this process is?

Thank you.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Given the time since the offence, along with the other circumstances mentioned, you probably stand a fair chance (better than 50%) of being recommended for a waiver and having a visa granted.

You mentioned possibly going to live in the USA in the future. You should realise that your conviction for possession of Class A drugs means it is impossible for you to get an immigrant visa.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi ya, you will have to apply for a full visa so don't waste anytime Any caution of any description makes you unable to get an ESTA I had to, I have a caution dating back to 2011 for Possession of a class a substance ... I went to the embassy on Oct 5th I was refused a visa But the interviewing officer put me forward for a Waiver of Ineligibility I got the email yesterday asking to send my passport to the embassy so mine took 4 months 9 days I am rebooking my holiday though but hey I should be definately going next year 👍

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Sorry, but that bit that I've highlighted in bold, is incorrect. Not every caution, indeed not even every conviction, makes you ineligible or unable to use ESTA. It depends on the exact circumstances of each offence as to whether or not they're relevant for US immigration purposes.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

How long did you get your visa for btw??

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

I attended the embassy on Oct 5th last year to apply for my visa .. My email came yesterday regarding my Waiver Of ineligibility .. So 4 months and 9 days .. It will still take an additional 7-10.working days to get my passport back once I send it to the embassy

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Sorry, I meant how long is your visa valid for?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Five years and multiple entries seems to be the usual validity given to applicants needing a waiver of ineligibility in the last couple of years

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

So my husband got an email to say his passport needs to be sent off but it doesnt say whether he's been granted the VISA. It just says: Please submit passport for visa processing. Please note that you have 30 days from today in which to resubmit your passport. You are NOT required to submit any other additional documents.

Does this mean he has been issued the visa?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Yes, it means they want his passport to be able to put the visa inside it.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

visa processing means processing his visa

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Okay, so just to keep you all updated - My husband went for his appointment on the 1st Nov 2018 and was recommended a waiver. He then received an email that stated to send his passport for "visa processing" on the 15th Feb 2019 so thats 15 weeks and 1 day. We've sent off his passport (on Sat) so will keep you posted on when its returned.

Fingers crossed for those of you that are waiting and are in sticky positions!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hey, at the appointment, he was told 6-8 months but he emailed the general London address a couple of weeks back and they said 3-6 months.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Oh yeah, I hope you hear from them soon. We have a holiday booked in June, but the final date to make any changes without any cancellation charges is March so hopefully his passport comes back in time! Congrats by the way.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

My family is taking a cruise from FL in April and my husband had to apply for a visa waiver because of possession of marijuana when he was 20y/o.
We didn't think it would be a problem receiving a ESTA/VISA so we were very "late" in the process and he was recommended for a waiver on December 10th only giving the boarder security exactly 4 months to answer which I now see is extremely unlikely..
Anyone who applied around end of November/beginning of December who has received an answer??

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

The timing is very tight. In addition to the 4+ months waiting for the waiver decision, you also need to add on a further 1-2 weeks for the passport to be sent off and turned around with the visa inside.

If your cruise is in the latter part of April, it might just work out; but you should still be prepared for the possibility that he won't have his visa in time and will have to miss the trip.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

It is sent to your local US consulate in your country.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Ok I live in a very small country hopefully that will shorten the waiting time a little bit..

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. It is perfectly normal for your case status to not be updated. Just be patient and let the process run its course. There is nothing more you can do now.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi, I have the email address for the london consulate ...
[email protected]

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi ya i recieved my update for my Waiver last Thursday. when I send my passport off if they stamp it does that start date of my waiver start from the day my status was updated to 'send documents' or from the actual day they receive my passport in the post

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

It usually begins from the date the consulate processes your visa and sticks it inside your passport.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Excellent, hanks for that I'm sending it Friday as I'm travelling to LA Feb 8th next year

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi,
I have also received my email to send my passport.
Did you just post your passport to the consulate for processing.

Thanks

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hey, yeah we just sent his passport as the email stated not to send anything else and just the print off of the barcode that they provide. We're still 50/50 though as it could still come back declined. The email just said visa processing, not visa issuance which is what somebody else received earlier in the thread!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Yes I've, sent my passport yesterday for processing special delivery but paid the £120 for the courier to bring it back me

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

With all due respect, why do you think they would ask for you to send in your passport if they were going to deny your visa? :confused:

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Honestly, to stamp it as denied? I've read that if a waiver is approved then you get a visa but I haven't read anything about a process if it's denied!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Also if I say get a 5 year waiver some people have done and my visas for a year or 2 ... What visa do I apply for when my 2 year visa expires ... Does my waiver allow me to apply for a ESTA ?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

The process for denying a visa is they'll email you and tell you that it's been denied. That's it.