I've never been through the Waiver of Ineligibility process... but I've been following this forum for a long, long time - and I read every post. Situations may differ, but the frustration and emotional drain are pretty much the same for everyone. While I may have the persona of the Grinch, I don't try to be deliberately mean (believe me... on those occasions that I am, you'll know the difference), but I do try to keep things real - and, sadly, most people here prefer wishful thinking to reality.

Ian

Totally agree, just don't understand how it takes this long. Do they just all go into one sorting office to be done or are they separated for example crime years ago done nothing since and they have every document needed would that go into one pile and the others where it's more recent and need more info go into another pile?

They don't seem to go in order just sounds like they go in a big pile of mess and currently getting the email under 40 weeks or more is like winning the lottery (which we probably have a better chance at) lol sorry to sound so negative but I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel right now.

Hey guys,

Stumbled across this forum searching for something else. So far very helpful info as I thought I was the only person who'd been waiting a while...

My interview was on 19th December and I haven't heard a thing yet. My trip was in December last year (oh how young & naive is was 7 months ago!), so obviously that got canned.

I was recommended for a waiver but haven't heard anything yet either. I understand the times vary and are LONG. But I have some questions perhaps someone can help me with.

1) Did I need to do anything after my interview to start the waiver process or is it done automatically? If I did I haven't! If so what needs to happen?

2) By the looks of it once granted, this process needs to happen every time you need a new visa going forward, is that correct?

Thank you kindly

The embassy submit your application direct to DHS no need to do anything other than wait...... Depending on how long your visa is valid for in Aust we only have 1 year or 5 year validity so you will need to go through this process each time what country are you in?

Great thanks for the clarification, I'm in the UK.

I don't have fixed plans to visit the US now, but I am going to Dubai in October. I reckon what will probably happen, is I'll get an email a few weeks before I go, and in which case I wont be sending off my passport until I get back!

It's all fun & games isn't it.

Well 1 year is better than 0 years, so I'm hoping for at least that. But this is my first attempt to get a US visa so who knows what the outcome will be.

I know what you mean you have to think negative I'm afraid because it just won't happen on time.

Just a shame something that happened so long ago (and yes I know it's my own fault) but to bring up the past has been horrible to go through it all again, if it had happened only the other year then yes I'd understand but when it's nearly a decade ago without being in trouble since then I just think it's a bit far fetched to go to this much effort, stress and waiting

I know it sounds facile, but the basic tenet is that the US doesn't want to allow criminals in without being certain they will not cause a problem, it doesn't matter how long ago it was, in their eyes you are/were a criminal, and each time you apply they will want to sort out that you haven't done anything more particularly as the rules might well have changed in the meantime. They have a set of rules/guidelins which they have to go through every time, and this may well involve several people there and several agencies in the US if you have visited there. There will be thousands of you in the same boat, so it's never going to be a quick fix.

I have no idea either, I wish I did..

I think as I understood it from the letter the consular officer on that day would recommend you, then a supervisor would agree with their decision & then they would forward it on to the DHS, I guess it depends how quickly each person did their job? I read somewhere that the US Embassy in London deals with 20% of the worlds waivers, so I guess that's quite a lot of people applying through London.

Belfast always seems a little quicker or has done in the past from what I've read. You can also track your waiver there too. It tells you where they are working up to. Shame London doesn't have this.

I guess it is just a random waiting game, as some on here who applied in December had theirs back & some are still waiting.

Just wanted to know if a person lies on the ESTA & gets approved is there any way once you get to the USA they can check if you have a criminsl record spent or current? thanks

I dont think anyone actually knows what they can or cannot check, however, I was told by a TSA officer the last time I travelled on a waiver(I had to wait in a small room whilst they did it)"we have to check if you have done anything naughty since your waiver was granted" he went on to add that this should have been done from the API before I left the UK, but that they did not have the staff.Make of that what you will.
ps This has happened each time I have travelled on a waiver to the US

What if I just apply for a ESTA now and just lie, would it appear on their system I have been recommended for a waiver and then let me in?

Probably, but you really don't want to do that, I suspect that as soon as you submitted the ESTA form, then it would match you up with current records, show you had had to have a waiver, and deny the ESTA, this would put you back to square 1, but in addition they would have a record of your attempted fraud, and that would lead to a lengthy ban on getting any sort of visa.
In reality people here do not know just what the DHS are able to check, but with terrorism becoming a global crime, it' not unreal to suspect they may be able access other countries criminal databases.

Yeh that's very true, I wasn't going to do it by the way was just suggesting if one could do that

I was thinking to the same thing just so desperate now lol but I know in Australia they take your fingerprints at embassy so there is no hope we are all just 2 honest unlike others who will never know the crap
We have gone thru😡