Reschedule Expedited b2 visa appointment

[Sleepyrascal 2]

Hello, 

 

I'm due to travel to the US on holiday with my wife and kids on the 23rd of June. As UK citizens, we can use the quick ESTA process for visa waivers. However, in 2016, I visited Iraq for 6 days as part of my job. I'm a project manager, employed by a company in the UK, but we were working with our client, ExxonMobil on a gas project out there. I was only there to oversee the setup, went from Basra airport to the site, and back. 

However, this has meant I am no longer eligible for Esta. I didn't know this until the ESTA got delayed. 

 

The ESTA hasn't been rejected yet though. It just says "authorization pending". 

 

As a contingency, I managed to get an expedited appointment for a visa at the embassy in London, but the data the gave me is June 23rd, the same day I'm supposed to fly out. Very frustrating. 

 

So I have some questions:

1. A colleague of mine had this same issue, and he said they gave him the visa during the interview. however, I'm being told it will be posted to me. Is there a way to ensure I can get it same day. 

2. Having been in Iraq, i understand it's an automatic refusal. But why is the ESTA still showing as "authorization pending". Surely if it's a fixed rule, it would be rejected straight away. 

 

 

Any advise would be appreciated. 

 

Thank you. 

[appleblossom 4,124]

50 minutes ago, Sleepyrascal said:

So I have some questions:

1. A colleague of mine had this same issue, and he said they gave him the visa during the interview. however, I'm being told it will be posted to me. Is there a way to ensure I can get it same day. 

2. Having been in Iraq, i understand it's an automatic refusal. But why is the ESTA still showing as "authorization pending". Surely if it's a fixed rule, it would be rejected straight away. 

 

You have your interview, then they do final checks, then they print the visa and put it in your passport. They say to allow up to two weeks for this, it may be quicker but there's no way you'll have it the same day. 

 

Do keep checking for cancellations though, you might get lucky - they often come up, although you'll need to be prepared to get there quite quickly and it would have to be in the next few days or there wouldn't be enough time. If no luck with that, I'd suggest either moving your holiday if possible, or submitting a claim under travel insurance and rebooking. 

 

No idea why it's not been refused, you're right that you're not eligible (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq) but it will take some time for that to process. How long ago did you apply for ESTA?

 

 

Edited June 11 by appleblossom

[Sleepyrascal 2]

33 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

You have your interview, then they do final checks, then they print the visa and put it in your passport. They say to allow up to two weeks for this, it may be quicker but there's no way you'll have it the same day. 

 

Do keep checking for cancellations though, you might get lucky - they often come up, although you'll need to be prepared to get there quite quickly and it would have to be in the next few days or there wouldn't be enough time. If no luck with that, I'd suggest either moving your holiday if possible, or submitting a claim under travel insurance and rebooking. 

 

No idea why it's not been refused, you're right that you're not eligible (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq) but it will take some time for that to process. How long ago did you apply for ESTA?

 

 

Hello, I applied on the 7th of June, so only a few days ago. 

 

I cant see insurance covering this one. 

[appleblossom 4,124]

4 minutes ago, Sleepyrascal said:

Hello, I applied on the 7th of June, so only a few days ago. 

 

I cant see insurance covering this one. 

 

Ah ok, yes it'll take a while then.

 

Insurance will normally cover you if you can't travel due to visa issues, so I'd double check that as it should come under it. 

[smilingstone 472]

No chance you're getting visa same day. Highly unlikely you will be joining your family on the trip. Could have been avoided if you explored ESTAs in better time. I know people say you get approved within hours, but it is seriously tempting fate to leave it so close to travel. No need, especially when they are valid for 2 years.

 

You need to start looking in to what you can claim back for flights and expenses booked for yourself and family. Maybe put that towards a holiday closer to home, or simply wish your wife and kids a great trip without you. 

 

 

 

[Sleepyrascal 2]

10 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

No chance you're getting visa same day. Highly unlikely you will be joining your family on the trip. Could have been avoided if you explored ESTAs in better time. I know people say you get approved within hours, but it is seriously tempting fate to leave it so close to travel. No need, especially when they are valid for 2 years.

 

You need to start looking in to what you can claim back for flights and expenses booked for yourself and family. Maybe put that towards a holiday closer to home, or simply wish your wife and kids a great trip without you. 

 

 

 

There's always one. 

[smilingstone 472]

1 hour ago, Sleepyrascal said:

There's always one. 

 

8 hours ago, Sleepyrascal said:

Any advise would be appreciated. 

 

Advice from me is to cut your losses and to complete future visa requirements in a more timely manner. 

[OldUser 9,414]

2 hours ago, Sleepyrascal said:

There's always one. 

The chance of getting visa same day is the same as me winning 10 mil in a lottery this week.

[Boiler 47,201]

I thought I had posted?

 

Anyway not sure why you applied for ESTA when you are not eligible. You did get an expedited appointment for a Visa interview and assume you will be issued one.

 

However yes they did issue visas same day but that was many years ago and I have not heard of that happening any time recently.

 

Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance? I would be very surprised of you had a claim, certainly not normal but I seem to remember there is cover you can buy for cancelling for any reason?, not available in my time and I assume most people do not. Got to be expensive.

[Sleepyrascal 2]

Hello, 

 

I have been granted an expedited visa appointment in London. However, it's on the day I travel. I have the option to reschedule, but this warning comes up when I attempt to view available dates.

 

I'm scared to press it in case I lose my current appointment. I called the embassy, and they said it's fine to click it, but they didnt sound 100% certain. Any ideas? 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 44,067]

My interweb research indicates you will not lose your current appointment if you "confirm" here, then decide you don't want to change dates.

[appleblossom 4,124]

I don't think you lose it either, but I've never done it myself.

 

As it's on the day of your planned departure you'd presumably have to cancel or reschedule it anyway as discussed on your other thread? In other words, does it matter if you don't have an interview on that day if you need to push the holiday back anyway?

[Sleepyrascal 2]

32 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

I don't think you lose it either, but I've never done it myself.

 

As it's on the day of your planned departure you'd presumably have to cancel or reschedule it anyway as discussed on your other thread? In other words, does it matter if you don't have an interview on that day if you need to push the holiday back anyway?

Current plan is family will go ahead, and i'll just join when I can. So the sooner I get the appointment, the better. It's damage control mode now. 

[appleblossom 4,124]

3 minutes ago, Sleepyrascal said:

Current plan is family will go ahead, and i'll just join when I can. So the sooner I get the appointment, the better. It's damage control mode now. 

 

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but I think you need to be prepared to not join them at all - there is a fair chance of being put in to Admin Processing if you've visited Iraq, so you may not be approved for a while.

 

Your call obviously but can you reschedule it instead maybe? 

Edited June 13 by appleblossom

[Sleepyrascal 2]

4 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but I think you need to be prepared to not join them at all - there is a fair chance of being put in to Admin Processing if you've visited Iraq, so you may not be approved for a while.

 

Your call obviously but can you reschedule it instead maybe? 

I spoke to the embassy. They seem pretty confident i'll have it between 3 to 10 working days. Our trip is 21 days so I'd still have time to catch the end. But yes, an earlier appointment is the current goal. 

 

My ESTA hasnt actually been rejected yet. I'm assuming it will be.