BIG MISTER
10th Sep 2003, 01:21
Last week I poped up to the US Embassy (Emb) to get a Visa for a 2 week flying holiday as I plan to do some 'training' out there.
I understand that quite a few people are still 'bending' the truth slightly and as regards the reason for their USA 'Holiday'. It had crossed my mind however its really not worth it and the last thing I wanted is to encounter a jobs worth at the Immigration desk.....and carrying a log book and PPL's kinda gives it away.......
Anyway on arrival at the Emb quite a few of us ( about 30% of the people ) had problems because we had 'emergency appointments' and therefore didnt receive our conformation letter from the Emb before attending the interviews.
The problems that we had were mostly basic admin and sadly mostly due to the poor information given out by the telephone operators that you have to call for your all Emb appointments......... at £1.30 a min ! ! !
A few of the things that upset the apple cart were as follows:-
Not having FULLY compleated some of the following forms.
When you go to the Embassy you need to bring:
1) A letter from the school you are going to attend listing the max takeoff weight of the aircraft or simulator you are going to train in. The I20 form.
2) Completed Form DS-0156
3) Completed Form DS-0158
4) Completed Form DS-0157 (If you are Male between the ages of 16 and 45)
You also need to have paid in your Visa application fee into Barclays bank BEFORE you get there. If you dont they send you on a route march to the nrearest Barclays bank as they dont accept payments there...... remeber to bring proof of payment !
Passport photo's.....they wont accept anything over 6 months and if youve changed your appearance (I cut my hair shorter which was hardly plastic surgery) then you need to get brand new pics before you pass go !
BEWARE the photo machine at the Emb hardly ever works and the nearest place to have your snaps taken is back down near Barclays bank.....a very helpful Chemists that charges £7.50 !!!!!
A Post Office 'Special Delivery' envelope is also required (£4.05) as this is the only Emb acceptable method used to send back your passport + I20 + compleated Visa.
Sadly the cost of the envelope isnt covered in the £60+ application fee that youve just paid them....plus the 10+ mins you were on the phone to them at £1.30 a min...so bring one with you !
All in all I think the day out cost me about £100 (not including a few 'prescription pints' on the way home) but its NOT a money making exercise by the USA is it ??? :mad:
The next time will be much easier as I'll have booked the appointment alot earlier, rec my conformation letter in good time and then have jumped through all the little adim hoops before I get there........ I hope !
Then its just a case of you needing to que up for and hour or so for the 5 min visa interview..... and Robert is indeed your sisters husband !
Hope this helps to save you alittle time too.
Good luck everyone !
Cheers
Big Mister a.k.a Big BLack Rat
:} :} :}
I understand that quite a few people are still 'bending' the truth slightly and as regards the reason for their USA 'Holiday'. It had crossed my mind however its really not worth it and the last thing I wanted is to encounter a jobs worth at the Immigration desk.....and carrying a log book and PPL's kinda gives it away.......
Anyway on arrival at the Emb quite a few of us ( about 30% of the people ) had problems because we had 'emergency appointments' and therefore didnt receive our conformation letter from the Emb before attending the interviews.
The problems that we had were mostly basic admin and sadly mostly due to the poor information given out by the telephone operators that you have to call for your all Emb appointments......... at £1.30 a min ! ! !
A few of the things that upset the apple cart were as follows:-
Not having FULLY compleated some of the following forms.
When you go to the Embassy you need to bring:
1) A letter from the school you are going to attend listing the max takeoff weight of the aircraft or simulator you are going to train in. The I20 form.
2) Completed Form DS-0156
3) Completed Form DS-0158
4) Completed Form DS-0157 (If you are Male between the ages of 16 and 45)
You also need to have paid in your Visa application fee into Barclays bank BEFORE you get there. If you dont they send you on a route march to the nrearest Barclays bank as they dont accept payments there...... remeber to bring proof of payment !
Passport photo's.....they wont accept anything over 6 months and if youve changed your appearance (I cut my hair shorter which was hardly plastic surgery) then you need to get brand new pics before you pass go !
BEWARE the photo machine at the Emb hardly ever works and the nearest place to have your snaps taken is back down near Barclays bank.....a very helpful Chemists that charges £7.50 !!!!!
A Post Office 'Special Delivery' envelope is also required (£4.05) as this is the only Emb acceptable method used to send back your passport + I20 + compleated Visa.
Sadly the cost of the envelope isnt covered in the £60+ application fee that youve just paid them....plus the 10+ mins you were on the phone to them at £1.30 a min...so bring one with you !
All in all I think the day out cost me about £100 (not including a few 'prescription pints' on the way home) but its NOT a money making exercise by the USA is it ??? :mad:
The next time will be much easier as I'll have booked the appointment alot earlier, rec my conformation letter in good time and then have jumped through all the little adim hoops before I get there........ I hope !
Then its just a case of you needing to que up for and hour or so for the 5 min visa interview..... and Robert is indeed your sisters husband !
Hope this helps to save you alittle time too.
Good luck everyone !
Cheers
Big Mister a.k.a Big BLack Rat
:} :} :}