visa07

Heard anything back yet?

CreakyHat

christmasoompa

shiversaint

The status page is often wrong and doesn't ever give any useful information outside of telling you when the visa has been issued. It'll say Denied until that point. If I remember correctly, mine wasn't updated until after I got my passport back.

visa07

My case was last updated on 24th April as Refused. Is there a maximum wait time?

CreakyHat

my interview was in may the status still says refused but dated in June. thou from memory I think I had see it update like that before.

shiversaint

Theoretically, probably not. The process doesn't really "time out" or have to meet an upper limit in terms of processing time.

Given you were April, you're probably going to be hearing in the next few weeks.

CreakyHat

Jay1971

I've kinda given in to the fact my holidays buggered in Feb so anything earlier that makes me go is a bonus, I've already spoken to BA and they were really helpful so kinda go a plan B

movida

Having been granted my waiver and having my passport back in hand with the visa in it, it's a 5 year multiple entry. I have just booked a trip to New York. What can I expect when I arrive, and do I need to bring loads of paperwork relating to my conviction? Should I expect an interview or deep questioning, or should the visa and the waiver be enough and I should get through border control with relative ease?

Obviously after all this time, stress and expense I don't want to fall at the last hurdle and not bring some required paperwork or something...

Also, do I go to the normal queue and additionally, what do I fill in on the form on the plane? I think it asks about what I'm bringing into the country as well as convictions, so what do I tick here?

shiversaint

You do not need to take any additional paperwork with you beyond your passport. Fill in your landing card like any other passenger.

You cannot go through the electronic ESTA machine - just goto the normal visa queue.

You will be taken aside for an interview in Secondary Inspection. You cannot use a phone or anything electronic (kindles may be okay but I wouldn't personally gamble it). Bring a book. Quickest it has been for me is 30 minutes or so, slowest it has been in secondary inspection is about 4.5 hours. Just depends how many people are in there and how long the line is and how complex the other cases are. Waivers are generally straightforward, they might ask you typical questions about why you are there, where you are staying etc. Same as always, just be honest, compliant, and don't start volunteering information unless asked. These are the guys that can turn you round home so it's not the place to get cocky or smart. Just treat everyone with respect, be patient, and you'll be fine.

It's a stress free experience as long as you just go with the flow and stay relaxed. Go in knowing you're going to be waiting for a long time, and you'll probably come out pleasantly surprised. You will get pulled aside to secondary inspection upon every entry into the USA, FYI. Permanently.

movida

shiversaint

The landing card doesn't ask about it.

They might ask you about it. I've only been asked what the crime was, and nothing more. So remorse etc doesn't tend to come up in my experience. But you know the drill if it does.

britexpat4456

Interested to hear from other people around their experience/average time spent in secondary inspection. F.e. if anyone who travels regularly has noticed any differences between airports.

I've had one trip to the US on my visa waiver and spent around 2.5 hours at Las Vegas McCarran International airport. As mentioned, wasn't allowed access to my phone or any way to notify those I was traveling with. Once I was finally called, just some very basic questions and lasted around 5 minutes. Seems the main delay is the queue of people in front and how complex their cases are - it goes in order of arrival from what I could see.

karenkaren1

My husband got taken to secondary inspection when we landed in Orlando for first time using L1. Me and the kids went ahead to claim luggage and 15 mins later were all heading out of the airport. Was really not a big deal at all for us.