View Full Version : EMBASSY APPOINTMENT
I want to make an appointment for my husband at the embassy soon but am abit unsure when the best time is. We are travelling The beginning of April 2006 and will be back on the 28th. I know the most the embassy will issue is a 12 month Visa. Should i get a an appointment for April this year or should i make an appointment for the beginning of May so to make sure i have a full year on Visa? Does the Visa have to be still running for travel back?
I hope that made sense
Thanks Marv
Hi Marv,
My husband recently went to the Embassy and was issued with a 10 year visa & (I think) that is the normal for holiday visas? We travel August this year and from the first phone call to the Embassy, it was all completed within 3 weeks. Obviously thats just our experience but I would suggest you leave it no longer than the back end of this year to apply. Good luck.
Why do you think that your husband will only get a 12 month visa? Have the Embassy told you this? Usually the B1/B2 visas last for 10 years.
I was told this by the embassy and also read alot on this forum and others, that its more likely that he will be issued with a 1 YEAR. I want to know wether a yearly has to last from day of interview at embassy to the date you come back from your holiday, or can it last to the date you leave and if it runs out while over there will that be ok?
Thanks again
The whole point of getting a US visa is so that you can visit the US if you're ineligible for a visa waiver. If you tell the American Embassy the dates of your holiday, they should be able to accommodate this, even if it means the visa start date is later, so that it's valid for your trip. You can't be the first person to have this difficulty.
Why not ask the American Embassy and put your mind at rest?
steph_goodrum
29-03-2005, 19:27
Mary
I don't know about the date but do know that if it runs out whilst he is there there will be very strict consequences.
Any person who overstays their Visa is classed as an illegal alien and will be treated as such, and not wishing to alarm you, could even find an Immigration and Sherriff knocking on your door to deport him - that's how serious it is, and of course then reentry will be very difficult.
The same as with Passport etc it must be valid until after your return date of travel.
Having said that, it will be unlikely your husband will be permitted to enter the country if his Visa does not cover the dates of your holiday as the Immigration Officer on arrival should check.
faeristar
30-03-2005, 23:48
mary
please let us know how you get on, i am in a similar situation and really need hope..
my husband has 2 convictions... both spent, he got c service for 1 and 2 weeks inside for the other both 10 years ago.....nothing since, i have heard a few people getting visa's with 2 convictions but not many.....we are gonna apply now even tho we wont travel before 2007 because i figure if we get one they will issue another if it runs out b4 we go
and if they dont we have lots of time to appeal,,good luck
I rang the embassy today and have made an appointment for the 19th April for the Visa. They told me that as long as the Visa hadn't expired on entry into the USA i would be ok and that once in you could stay for 90 days wether visa had expired or not.
I will keep you posted
steph_goodrum
31-03-2005, 20:24
Mary
I'd make sure you got written confirmation about the expiry as we've been led to believe otherwise and that people who have overstayed the visa waiver by a few minutes in the past have had trouble on trying to re-enter the country.
Hope all goes well for the interview and then you can relax and get on with the more serious job of planning your holiday itinerary.
dodgey memory
31-03-2005, 20:38
Mary
I would reiterate what Steph has said my understanding has always been that the visa has to be valid for the entire length of stay. There is nothing to stop him telling the interviewing officer that he is likely to travel to the states again in the future and ask for a 10 year one. That's what my husband did and they were fine about it. Also remeber that its not the Embassy in London that determines the right of entry or for how long but the Immigration officer in America and it would be dreadful to have your holiday cut short. Good luck and tell him to take a good book.
Teresa
I actually rang again to make sure and was told the same that if it expires over the states that was fine it has to be valid to get into the usa. I found this on the embassy site
How long is a visa good for?
You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the date it expires, or if your visa says that it is valid "indefinitely", you may use it for ten years from the date of issuance.
Where did you get your information from?
dodgey memory
31-03-2005, 22:09
Just spoken to Mr Knowitall aka husband. As it was explained to him the visa gives you permission to travel to the point of entry of that country and the immigration offficial then determines your right of entry and length of stay. As such the B1/B2 visa only needs to be valid on the day you present it not the length of stay. But I would still check it out!
Your right, the visa just needs to be valid for the day you enter the states, when they stamp your I-94, this then becomes your right to stay for as long as its stamped for.