Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Long time spectator here. My 2nd waiver just got approved after a 357 day wait. It was brutal but nice to know that the patience pays out.

For the others out there, keep holding on!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

That's really great news that you've got the email. The only point of caution I would add is that some others here have also got the email to send in their passports, only to subsequently get rejected under 214(b). Really hoping that you do get the passport back promptly with a lovely visa vignette.

All the best.

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

does the wording in the email change? Because my email actually said “for visa issuance” but I have see on previous posts some peoples have said for further processing or administration

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Passport returned today. Another 5 year visa like last time. Absolutely made up! It’s been a long nearly 14 months but it’ll be worth the wait when I touch down in Vegas later this year!

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Fantastic news, really happy for you. Hope you have a great trip.

All the best,

Jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

thank you. Even though my process has been completed, I’m going to try and stay around in this thread. I think people that have been through the process successfully can provide a lot of info and reassurance to people only just starting out the process

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Passport received today with one year of waiver only.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

That’s better than nothing after some people have been rejected. I wonder what the grounds are for issuing varying lengths of waiver. Am I correct in presuming you couldn’t go through the ESTA due to a criminal conviction? If so, how long ago was it?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

yes I’ve tried many times and it got rejected. It was 3 years ago, I had 5 years ban. 1y Better than nothing for sure 🙏

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Congratulations on completing this tortuous process. As you note, one year is better than nothing. We can just remain hopeful that if you try again in the future, you get a longer visa.

All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi everyone,

So sorry I forgot to come back and make the most important post... after receiving the notification to send in my passport, I made the journey to the courier location, sent it off and around 10 days later received my passport back with a visa valid for 5 years. A very pleasant surprise!

Hang in there everyone still waiting - my fingers are crossed for all of you

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Fantastic news, really happy for you. Can you provide the actual dates you sent and received the passport so I can update the sheet with the correct information.

All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Thanks Jools! Sent on 5 March, received 18th March

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Thanks, sheet updated. Now we just need an update from Ninjabreadman , Terrier1982 , benjobrown , Juan78 and woodydog3

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hello, I hope someone may be able to shed light on our situation. My husband had a 5year visa that was due to run out next year April 2027. He damaged his passport but the visa was ok, the embassy told us we could use it to travel to New York in October which we did and he travelled with his new passport and damaged passport with visa in, but to book an appointment to renew before our Next travel. We have a cruise booked March 2027. In February 2026 he went for his interview but he hadn't realised during the appointment they have stamped his valid visa as now void. The said they were sending the new visa off for a waiver like the previous time and he said they filled in a purple form. Upon reading his refusal sheet it states why he has been refused but there is a paragraph furth down about being refused by 214 (b).
We are now confused as the officer definitely said he was sending off for the waiver but the form has the 214(b) written section on it. We are hoping the office just picked up the incorrect from. Has anyone else had this happen? We obviously didn't expect a valid visa to be cancelled and now we have a nervous wait to see if its renewed in time but are also worried they may not of sent off for the waiver considering what the form they sent him home with.
Any advice would be great.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

It sounds like his visa has been refused (a verbal approval/mention of sending for a waiver means nothing I’m afraid), but can you post a photo of the form so we can look and try and clarify for you? Please just redact any personal details first.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...84333c33a2.jpg
This is what he was handed. The office interviewing him asked for his ACRO and said "is that all that's on there" my husband said "yes" he went to see a supervisor in the back, then came back and said we cant issue a visa today but will send it off for the waiver of ineligibility. my husband asked what he needed to do next and he was told to wait for an email. The officer filled in a purple form which the officer kept and gave this (photo above) to my husband. We are so confused and have tried to contact the embassy to ask but have no idea how to get in touch, we found an email and have had no response. I just wondered what other people had been handed after theirs was sent off for waiver. We cant remember what happened when he first did it 6 years ago.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

I'm sorry, but that means he's been refused a visa.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Thank you, we are just so confused. The officer handed this over amd then said he was being sent for a visa waiver. We have tried calling, emailing and no one is getting back to us. We have decided there is nothing else we can do. Our holiday is in march so even if he re applied wouldn't be done in time. We are just hoping he has sent off for the waiver but given him the wrong paper work. Either way myself and my boys are going but just hoping the out come is good. Its so frustrating they voided a valid visa. Had we have known we would of waited to re apply.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Greetings everyone, I'm back lurking after receiving the denial letter back in September last year. I took it upon myself today to revisit the spreadsheet and see how everyone else has been getting on specifically those who were interviewed in London. I downloaded the spreadsheet offline in order to filter the sheet down to London + 1st time waivers and noticed the approval rate is incredibly low. I'm not sure if we still have any lurkers here who were faced with a denial on the first attempt then approval on the second attempt? How long did you wait before attempting to apply again? Otherwise joolsjools would you happen to have any recommendation on when would be a reasonable time to reapply for the B1/B2? I know the current administration doesn't make circumstances any easier for us... good luck to all those waiting.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

It’s more a question of a change in circumstances, rather than a set amount of time. If nothing has changed then there’s really little point in applying again, the answers will be compared to your previous application, and it’s likely to just be another rejection. But if your ties to your home country have changed (i.e. a new spouse or baby that would be staying at home, a new job, etc) then that’s when it might be worth trying a new application.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Just out of interest, did you submit or mention any evidence of strong ties to the UK at your appointment—such as employment, family responsibilities (for example, dependants who rely on you), or property ownership? This can often make a significant difference in these cases.

On a separate note, an immigration lawyer I spoke with mentioned that, from her experience dealing with applications under the current government, she had noticed a pattern where cases involving drug-related offences were more likely to be refused.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Just wanted to updated from the photo I posted the other day of my husbands paperwork. We have just had an email back from the embassy confirming his visa has been sent off for the waiver of ineligability. The wrong paperwork must of been handed over to him on the day. Just a waiting game now. 🙂

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

I find this post to be confusing. On 8 May you posted a notice of refusal which in no way was inconsistent with a possible request for waiver of inadmissibility. (In fact, a 212(b) refusal is a prerequisite for requesting a waiver). Was there a second written notice? Curious minds might like to know.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Sorry for the confusion.
my husband had his appointment in Feb and was issued the paperwork as above but told he was been issued for a visa waiver.
I hadn't read the paperwork until the other day when posted (may 8th) then i went into instant panic as i understand that paper work to be a flat out refusal as it stated 214b in the paragraph near the bottom, but my husband was adamant that the interviewer handed him this and then said it was been sent off for a waiver. I asked on a few forums and Facebook and was told by everyone it was a flat out refusal and 214b ment I wouldn't have been sent off for a waiver.
We then sent an email to the emabssy (not expecting to get a response) asking if he had been flat out refused or if it had indeed been sent off for a waiver.
Yesterday we recieved an email back from the embassy stating he had been refused on the day for a visa there and then but had been sent off for a waiver of ineligability and is now with homeland security. Its was a lengthy email explaing there is no excited process etc and they have no time limits at the moment.

So we have confirmation it has been sent off and he was handed the wrong refusal letter. It has all confused me too but im just glad we have confirmation its been sent off. As per my previous post his previous visa still had until next April on it but they voided it at the appointment. We have to cancel a trip we had planned in June but we have a family trip planned in March next year so it's touch and go if he will get it back in time.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi
Where can i find the spreadsheet please. I have seen it before but now cant remember how to find it.
Thanks

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Links to the sheet and app should be visible in my signature below.

All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

That's great news. I recall this situation has been reported previously in this forum, where the wrong paperwork was handed to the applicant at the interview. Really hopeful for you and your husband.

Please do add an entry to the tracker if you want. You can find the links to it in my signature below.

All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Thank you 🙂. Yes i will add the details. We have 13 months from when he had the interviewer to when we go. So keeping everything crossed.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Yes this happened to me being given the wrong form after being verbally told I was being put forward for a waiver. I also had a panicky few days until the embassy confirmed I had in fact been put forward and the form was just a mistake. I eventually got my visa so sending you good luck as well.

I’m due to fly to NYC using my new visa for the first time on Wed. I am expecting to be sent for secondary screening like every other time I have used a waiver of ineligibility but as I haven’t been since 2024, I just wondered if anyone had any recent experience of using a visa waiver and if the border process had become more onerous?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Really wishing you all the best for your forthcoming trip. I have not yet had a chance to use my visa - first business trip is coming up sometime in the next 2 months so look forward to hearing your experience.

All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Hi, I went 3 times last year, only went to Secondary once (and that took all of 5 minutes).

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

I traveled to Newark in March and went to secondary which took 3-4mins only, Next trip I went via Dublin and breezed through no issues.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Thanks all. I flew into JFK yesterday and as expected was taken to secondary screening but this only involved the standard Qs of reason for trip and where I was staying etc then I was on my way quite quickly. Good luck to others travelling soon too

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Feel free to add my information to the spreadsheet. Passport sent 5th May, received 19th May. I-Visa for 5 years.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Fantastic news. All the best,

jools

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Very old thread now, but waiver timelines have always been one of the hardest things to predict. The fact you'd already received a waiver and visa before would have given me some optimism, but relying on a waiver being approved before a fixed travel date is always stressful.

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Why have you reopened a 15 year old thread?

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

it has not been reopened. It is an ongoing discussion

Re: Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver of Ineligibility Application
 

Apologies, I did not see any ongoing discussion and assume it must have been deleted. The poster is directly addressing a forum member who raised a query in 2011.

Jools