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UK citizen Visa Waiver Program what's needed

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I have just joined this forum so I apologise if my question has been answered numerous times before. I am a UK citizen want to visit the USA on a B2 tourist visa. As a UK citizen I u derstand I am eligible for a Visa Waiver. I realise I will need to update my passport to the e-passport, my question is do I still need to complete any documents to get the B2 visa. Or can I just jump on the plane to the USA and pay the €6 fee on entering the states, but I think this is too simple.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
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Hi there, welcome to Visa Journey.

 

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. You will need to apply for a B2 visa at the London Embassy. Why do you need a B2 visa compared to your ESTA? It is very difficult to get a B2 visa for a visa waiver country. You will need to be interviewed and show proof that you have ties to your home country. If you were to be denied a B2 visa, you will not be able to use your ESTA for a little while (possibly up to a year or two).

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/how-to-apply/

 

 

 

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37 minutes ago, where2live said:

I have just joined this forum so I apologise if my question has been answered numerous times before. I am a UK citizen want to visit the USA on a B2 tourist visa. As a UK citizen I u derstand I am eligible for a Visa Waiver. I realise I will need to update my passport to the e-passport, my question is do I still need to complete any documents to get the B2 visa. Or can I just jump on the plane to the USA and pay the €6 fee on entering the states, but I think this is too simple.

 

A B-2 is actually $160, and you must have an interview at the embassy.  People here will tell you it is difficult/impossible to get a B-2 on a VWP country passport, but my kiwi husband had no issues at all getting one prior to the K-1.

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Do you want to visit the US or do you specifically want a B-2 visa? If so, what is the particular reason you need a B-2 instead of using the VWP?

VWP entry is 90 days. A B-2 allows up to 6 months, but can be less at the CBP officer's discretion.

 

For an ESTA (VWP traveler), you can apply here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. Approval/Denial is usually nearly instant, but it can take a little longer in some cases. An approval is valid for 2 years.

 

If you apply for a B-2 visa and are denied, then you will likely be denied an ESTA for at least a year or longer (and any existing ESTA needs to be updated and would likely be revoked).

Getting a B-2 from a VWP country is not impossible by any means, but it is difficult and with only minimal benefits and significant risk in jeopardizing visiting at all. I would only suggest trying for one in specific circumstances that require stays longer than 90 days.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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1 hour ago, where2live said:

I have just joined this forum so I apologise if my question has been answered numerous times before. I am a UK citizen want to visit the USA on a B2 tourist visa. As a UK citizen I u derstand I am eligible for a Visa Waiver. I realise I will need to update my passport to the e-passport, my question is do I still need to complete any documents to get the B2 visa. Or can I just jump on the plane to the USA and pay the €6 fee on entering the states, but I think this is too simple.

From what you’ve said here I think you may be confusing the two things, you either use the visa waiver program to enter the US for up to 90 days (you need to complete an ESTA for this, then that’s finished) or you apply for a B visa at a consulate, by filling in a DS160 form, paying the visa fee and attending an interview. A B visa usually but not always allows you to visit for up to 6 months at a time.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

E Passports have been issued since 2006 so a current one would comply.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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