Collcted passport today and my hubbie been issued with a 5 year Visa. No need to worry now for at least 4 and a half years!! Good luck to everyone waiting for news on their Visa's. Now we can fly to Vegas on Wednesday.

Excellent news Loula. Thank you for sharing your news.


I am also flying to Vegas on Wednesday

Been a while since I have been on the forum and my 1 year multiple entry has since expired, sadly.


I will obviously not make the same mistake as a couple of years ago where, like many, I had paid for a holiday and flights before gaining a full understanding of how long the process takes, however, I am starting to plan ahead and thinking of my next trip to the states. At least this time I will know what I am up against.


I am fairly certain that now my visa has expired I am essentially just starting the process again from scratch; can anyone confirm if that is correct? I believe I have to go right back to the very beginning where you apply for a "US Visa waiver" on line, knowing full well that it will be refused when you tick the box for a criminal conviction?


Any guidance would be much appreciated as always; it's been about 18 months since I have had to think about any of this!

Hi Charley,


Since we last spoke your husband has obviously applied again and been successful- good stuff! I am just starting the process again myself.


In terms of sending off the passport, when I sent mine off, back in August 2014, all that was required was the passport and the email they sent.


Cheers.

Unfortunately yes, it is back to the beginning again to apply for your next visa.

I still have a valid visa until June but applied last November for my next visa hoping it will arrive just after the existing one expires. Forward planning is essential to have continuous cover if travelling to the USA on a regular basis.

Good luck with your next application.

Correct.


You don't apply for a waiver. You apply for the visa and go to an interview. At the interview, the officer will recommend you for the waiver. Waivers are taking about 8 months more or less.

Ian

Thanks Ian.


From memory, the first part of the process was applying through a very lengthy questionnaire online? This then provided a DS number (I think)which enables you to book an appointment at the US embassy where you can be recommended for a waiver as you say?


I am just struggling to remember the very first part of the process which gets you the interview at the embassy.


Yes, my last visa waiver took 8 months exactly and that was in August 2014, so not much has changed it seems.

I believe it's the DS-160 online form that you're thinking about. Good luck.

Ian

Hi everyone,

Anyone from NZ and still waiting on a waiver of ineligibility? Any idea on wait times right now? My partner went in for his interview 21st Oct 2015 and got recommended for waiver after refusal for visa. Does anyone also know any way you can check the process?

People have probably asked this a million times already, so sorry about that! Just freaking out over what to do as we are booked to fly out on the 14th April (like every other dumb person that books before checking they can actually enter the US).

No way to check, the first you will know is getting the e mail I'm afraid. Given your timelines, I would suggest considering rebooking your trip for a later date if you can as it looks as though, given current times, that it will not be sorted out in time.

+1. Going on the average timescales quoted above, it would be around June time before he'll hear anything. So it would be better to speak to your airline etc now rather than last minute, as you might find you can change things for a smaller fee.

Good luck.

does anyone know wats the maximum time it can take?

How long is a piece of string?.. no-one can tell every case is individual and the timings people are giving are their own timings, I'm sure there are people on here waiting months after others who were referred have got theirs.

The wait times are largely the same regardless of where the application was filed - because all waiver decisions are made in the US. On average, the current wait time is about 8 months.


There is no way to check on the progress... it will take as long as it takes. US immigration has no interest whatsoever in your convenience.


It might happen, but it likely won't.

Ian

The longest I've heard so far is about 17 months.

Ian