Visa for USA?

[soozmac]

I am off to Chicago in 3 months, staying for 10 days. Do I need to get a Visa, or do you still just fill in forms on the plane? Any advice more than welcome, thanks!

[Dee Sa]

unless you are a major crook with a record for violence or drug offences, just fill out card on the plane.minor offences dont count..

[soozmac]

Thanks, I've just been Googling for info, but all the pages I found were talking about permanent residency, rather than just a short trip. Thanks for your reply!

[bednobs]

plus it might take longer than 3 months to get a visa

[bednobs]

plus it might take longer than 3 months to get a visa

[bednobs]

plus it might take longer than 3 months to get a visa

[spudqueen]

Check out this page on the American Embassy website
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ vwp.html

[Buenchico]

'Officially', Dee Sa's statement that 'minor offences don't count' is incorrect. The US embassy website states that anyone who's ever been arrested (even if totally innocent) or convicted of any offence is ineligible to use the Visa Waiver Program. (The only exception is for minor, non-arrestable, motoring offences, such as speeding). See SpudQueen's link for further information.

However, as Bednobs states, obtaining a US visa usually takes longer than 3 months. (Typically around 5 or 6 months). Anyway, we don't know that you're not a model citizen, with no brushes with the law.

Irrespective of whether they've been arrested or convicted, thousands of people enter the USA by simply filling in the form on the plane. (The US authorities have no direct access to UK criminal records). However, anyone who answers 'Yes' to the question about arrests and convictions will automatically be turned back by immigration staff, because they've admitted their ineligibility to use the Visa Waiver Program.

Chris

[dzug]

There is a contradiction between the US London Embassy web site and the Visa waiver application form. The latter only asks about crimes involving moral turpitude or controlled substances (oh and genocide and one or two other things) but the London Embassy just says crimes. I think they are oversimplifying - it's tempting to say for the sake of the visa fees but they are probably just being cautious.

And it really doesn't normally take 5 or 6 months to get a visa - if your case is non-contentious it will be issued within a day or two of your interview at the Embassy. It will only take 5 or 6 months if you aren't entitled to a visa at all and they have to refer it back to the US for a special exemption to be made. If you have a recent serious criminal record for example.

[soozmac]

thanks for your help, guys, I had read about the waiver programme, just wanted to double check in case I had somehow got it wrong. Thankfully I am a model citizen, have never been arrested in my life, so I should be ok.

Thanks again!

[JonnoGenie]

It took me a month (from interview) to get a B1/2 visa, and A) that was not a simple application B) I'd have got it in a few days if the US Embassy helpline (�1/min) had have given me accurate advice. If your application is complete and valid you will get your visa in under a month; as DZUG says, most people get theirs in a matter of days.

(Chris I think you're doing ABers some disservice going on and on about how it takes up to 6 months, when for most people, it simply doesn't)