If the link gets deleted, the forum page is "Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK'

The sad thing is that even if a waiver is granted, the consulate can still refuse to issue a visa.

I supposed they can but why would they refer for a waiver, authorise for the passport to be sent after the DHS approval, hold it for nearly a month and then refuse it?

Whoa...first off im gutted for you the cost and time plus the anxious wait for that. This now had me seriously worried. This is my 3rd time through this process and even the bloke at the embassy in August was oh you done this before you know the drill. Its seems like something has changed as it was alwsys seemed like 99.9% would be recommended a waiver. Not gonna mention this to the better half 😬

has any visa been issued following the waiver approval in last 3 weeks?
Based on the spreadsheet, the last visa issued bryanlloydx on 16/04/2026, i don't see any visa approval after that....
Looks like London embassy has stopped issuing the visas to applicant with criminal record ????

This is really shocking, so sorry for the expectation and then disappointment this must have caused!

Can I ask, did the CEAC site change the status of your visa from refused when they emailed you to say it was ready for collection?

I’ve seen the passport request and return quite a few times. A passport request doesn’t always mean they’ve made a decision on the visa, it can also mean they just want to check your passport for any new travel stamps as part of the background checks.

Gutted for you to hear this.

I see that you sent in your passport 7 days after me and yet I still have not heard a thing.

I'm sure the email that is received says "Please submit passport for visa issuance" and then goes on to say you have 30 days to do so. I understand that a passport can be returned with a rejection when it has been kept at a consular appointment but it seems very strange that you'd be asked to submit your passport after waiting 9/10 months for a waiver of ineligibility to then have the passport returned 3ish weeks later with a rejection. If the waiver was rejected, you'd get a letter or email stating this. It's all very odd.

this is part of the email.

"Processor comments

Please submit passport for visa issuance

Please note that you have 30 days from today in which to resubmit your passport. If your passport is not received within this time your application will experience even further delays

You are NOT required to submit any other additional supporting documents

Best regards,

The GDIT Visa Appointment and Information Service Team"

Thanks Flyingturtle .... No, nothing has changed - not received any notification whatsoever when my passport was delivered to the embassy. rmart CEAC still shows the original interview date when I was advised the officer recommended me for a waiver.

The only update I saw is on AIS showing that I have picked up my passport. Its all confusing and not clear. If they have made a decision not to issue a visa, they could have sent me an email - we have decided not issue on whatever the case. I do not have a criminal record but they said its a misinformation(Ineligibility) provided previously - I don't even have a clue where and what that is ...its all confusing, time wasting and more. and noone seems to provide you with the information when requested.

I have reached to the email on their website to see if they can provide more information and whats going on

Sorry all, just catching up. Rmart I can’t believe you still don’t have your passport, so sorry to hear this and hope it is returned to you soon.
Buzz, I am gobsmacked, seems utterly outrageous they can make you wait for so long, ask you to send your passport, to return it with nothing. If you don’t have a criminal record then something seems off and I really hope you get a reply from the embassy and not just the standard emails trying to palm you off!
Seems incredibly sad that there are so many people behind these applications, all waiting for answers.
I do hope you get answers soon Buzz.

Such a nightmare, really sorry for what you’re going through with it, I hope you can get it resolved somehow?

Thank you Flyingturtle and all on this forum for sharing my frustration and etc. And yeah, we will see if they are able share this information (Misrepresentation) atleast where it came from against my name so that I can engage with a lawyer to dig deep and clear my name!

Good luck to the rest of ya'all!

So, I know I am a little while away to know if my application goes through….

Just trying to work out how I return my passport. Is this a simple process with a courier - or is it complicated as I live no where near London :/