Hi everyone
I'm coming from the other thread on travellers point which relates to this
Really helpful reading everyone's stories and situations they are currently in
How are people feeling who are still waiting to get their waiver's approved?
I know it's taking a long time, but am starting to get increasingly worried if people who are getting recommended for waivers are now all getting denied

Welcome and great to have you here.

If you're not already in our Tracker spreadsheet, I'd be happy to add a row for you. When and where did you have your interview, what visa are you applying for, and is it your first time?

jools

I am now 285 days since interview. This is my third time recommended for a waiver of ineligibility. And this is the longest ive had to wait. What keeps me sane is that those on the boards TP and Expats represent a small percentage of those that attend interviews daily. For example on my day I witnessed some 30-50 people in the "criminal record" que as it seemed to be. And that was between entering at 8.30 and leaving at 10am. Majority of the ones I chatted with while waiting where recommended for a waiver, but only i am on the spreadsheet. ( I am however continually checking emails in hope ).

Convicted of theft 1995 - 4 months young offenders institute.
2007 recommended for waiver - 1 entry / exit visa issued.
2019 recommended for a waiver 5 year visa issued ( 6.5 month wait )

2024 TBC

Hi Me831,

I'm not on TP, but would be interested in how many people have been denied. it's a frustrating wait, and seems to be getting longer. The recent changes implemented with student visas had the foresight to allow anyone that was already booked in to proceed with the process, that is fairly positive in terms of what they could have done. My rose tinted glasses would view it that we'd be in the same position, increased scrutiny with social media, anything about trump or certain middle east sympathy's would be frowned on, maybe even certain convictions/overstays.

There have been many instances of people on this forum in a far greater need of a visa than myself, and honestly watching them receive visas bring me joy and has kept me going. I weigh up the changes in policy and certain other views, and give myself 60% chance of getting a visa this time around, I'm also keeping an eye on border refusals, again something i'd be interested in having more info on, i think only two from this forum have gone over in the recent months. as always, just my thoughts.

Good luck to all.

Interesting, thanks a lot for your reply. I have read somewhere that the office where they determine whether they deny or approve the waiver is very understaffed at the minute which could be the reason why there is such a delay/long time? Also there is such a large amount of waiver's being recommended from the UK this only adds to it

I wanted to ask roughly how many people on this forum, have been recommended for a waiver and subsequently denied?
When you mention border refusals, are you saying only two from this forum have been refused at the border?

rmart It's over a month now since you have sent your passport for visa issuance, i guess you are still waiting for return of your passport?

Apologies, was still working and sorting things out. For clarity, i know of no one on this forum that has been denied at the border after gaining a visa waiver. There are a very large number of cases of this within US and World media, that aren't well publicised in the UK. - to stress a visa is not an entitlement to cross the border, someone else words it better, but its more an invitation to present yourself at the border etc.

Since the changes in the last few months I think two people from this forum have travelled without issue. Probably more, but my hours are funny and i tend to play catch up and miss a fair bit.

Yes, a few departments within DHS have had staff reduced, and one department of, and I'm going to be wrong here so please treat this as an old mans musings , i think it was 800 people were put on administrative leave - "The DHS placed all staff from the USCIS Ombudsman, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman on a 60-day administrative leave, effective March 21, 2025. This move, while not a formal shutdown, is widely interpreted as a prelude to major restructuring or potential closure of these oversight offices. The DHS cited a need to streamline operations and focus on border enforcement as justification, but critics argue it undermines USCIS's core mission" - had to google ensure it was partially correct.

While i don't think the above departments have anything to do with visa waivers, its clear something major is going on, and will continue to.

Got my passport back June 2.

Congratulations. 1 year visa?

That's fantastic news. All the best.

jools

5 year , E2

Yes, still waiting, already missed one trip, now worried I wont get my passport back for a Spain trip on 23rd June.

Amazing news! Really happy for you!!
When was your original interview and if you don't mind me asking what was your ineligibility?

Congratulations!

I'm still waiting too, I dropped off 8 days prior to yours according to the spreadsheet. I sent an email on Monday to see if I could get an update but no response so far.