Onomatopoeia

Had my renewal interview today in London and it was pretty much an identical experience to 5 years ago (just a new Embassy!) - very laid back and straightforward, just a lot of waiting around to be called to the window.

porkedpie

Did you ever find out the answer to this? Dublin still at 20 days vs 75 in Belfast/London.

MrGlasgow

Great, thanks Onomatopoeia for sharing. Did they ask any specific questions about "Strong ties" to Uk? Or did you present any document related to this requirement?

S Folinsky

General comment: the definitions for the various non-immigrant classes are found at the definition of “immigrant” found at section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration & Nationality Act (parallel cite of 8 US Code 1101(a)(15)). The subsections designate the visa classifications. So, the definition of E non-immigrant classification is found at 101(a)(15)(E).

The definitions of B visitor, F student, H-2 temporary worker, etc have an express requirement of a residence abroad with no intent to abandon. In stark contrast, the E classification does NOT have that express requirement. Accordingly, intent to return to foreign residence is quite attenuated.

Onomatopoeia

My lawyer had me sign a “statement of intent to depart” which is common and that was all. It didn’t come up at the interview. I wouldn’t worry about it unless you have some unique factors that would get the consular officer’s attention somehow

MrGlasgow

Good to know. Thanks, both.

DannyW

Whichever country you list at the start of your DS160 is the country/city you have to visit. There are no changes available. I think it's a little misleading as the information on the embassy website suggests you can, but the cities it refers to both have to be within the same country (which is why you get the choice of Belfast or London if you select the UK). If you're based in the UK I'd select this though, I just accepted the first appointment and then constantly kept going back to the reschedule appointment option to see if there had been any cancellations. You can change as many times as you like up to the day before your actual appointment date. I manage to get a number of cancellations to move the date up, then one appeared for 2 weeks after my application. You just need to check at random parts of the day, almost like getting Glastonbury tickets! I just left a browser tab opened and checked every now and again when I was at work.

Good luck!

porkedpie

OK that's great thanks. I was pretty worried about the 80 days from the website but sounds like with a bit of dedication and luck I should be able to move it up a chunk. I have a good success record getting Glastonbury tickets so hopefully my refresh skills are up to scratch!

MrGlasgow

My E2 visa renewal is approved today. I have noticed that E2 folks need to go to booth P1 and P2 Only for document verification, and then you just queue up for any available window for the actual interview. Mine took less than 10 minutes, so the experience was the same as five years ago. Onomatopoeia Thanks for your help. May I ask how long it took for you to get the passport back after the interview day?

Onomatopoeia

Congrats! My experience this time was same as yours really

My interview was on a Monday morning and passport was ready to collect on Friday morning (I was gonna be in London anyway so did the option to collect from DX instead of home delivery)

MrGlasgow

Thanks Onomatopoeia .

fs05

How long does it take for the US embassy to invite for an interview after submission of the initial E2 application / package ?

christmasoompa

When you say initial application, what have you applied for? If you can tell people exactly which stage you're at and where you're applying, somebody may be able to help.

fs05

Apologies i really do not understand stages, but by application i mean that my business case along with financials etc. / investment requirements/ business incorporation documents have been submitted by my lawyer to the US embassy in London.

christmasoompa

Website says 45 days for review at the moment. https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/treat.../how-to-apply/

HTH.