motema15

Just thought I'd stop back and say that I got my visa. Yeah!!

I thought I'd write a bit here about the process in case it's useful to someone else.

I went to the Melb Embassy. The visa interview process took a while, but most of that was in checking in, security checks, and waiting time (all up around 1.5 hours).

The actual interview took about 2 minutes where a bored guy asked me two questions...'why are you going to the US?' and 'how much money will you have?' He didn't ask to see any of the information I'd brought along with me (for example, bank statements and letters from people I'll be staying with).

I was given the choice of having a 1 year visa or paying around $26 for a visa that is valid for 5 years.

And...that was it! Easy peasy.

Thanks all. I've decided to play it safe and go for the visa. I will stop back and let you know how I go!

Thanks!

Here's where I get confused though.

I hadnt thought about the Mexico part with regards to the VWP but now im doing some research I dont know how black-and-white this is.

This is from the travel.state.gov website:

"VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the balance of their original admission period. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details"

Now, I know on VJ i have read that sometimes a 'new' VW will be issues with 90 days clearance upon reentry, but this is all VERY dependant on how the CBP is feeling on the day.

However, it is MY belief that your stay in Mexico will NOT be deducted from your VWP's 90 Days. I could be very, very wrong, but I hope someone will be along to answer this better than I can!

The time allowed for the VWP will include time spent in Mexico...so, off to my visa interview I go! Thanks to you both for this advice.

With border patrol it is always best to say the minimum, but always answer correctly. For example, when they ask

What are you here for, dont say "because im going to LA for 2 weeks and then going to Mexico and then im going to come back into the US and then im going to go back to Aus."

Instead, give concise answers to exactly what they are asking.

For example:

CBP: What is the purpose of your trip

You: I am going to LA to visit a friend

(this will probably be the end of the questioning to be honest)

CBP: When will you leave

You: I leave on this date

CBP: Back to Aus?

You: No, im going to Mexico to see my sister and practice my spanish.

CBP: How long for

You: 2.5 months

CBP: When do you leave?

You: I leave on this date

CBP: To Aus?

You: No, I will be doing some travelling in the US for 2.5 months, and then returning to Aus on this date.

As long as you answer everything honestly i am sure you'll be fine. CBP know what to look out for when suspecting an immigration attempt. As you ARE genuinely travelling, they will be able to ask you numerous questions and you will be able to answer them as its all true!

Thanks very much to Krikit and particularly to Amy for this reply - soooo helpful! I thought though, that it would be a problem to say that I'm going to be in the US/Mexico for more than the length of the VWP when I enter the US for the first time in LA. Won't that be a problem to pretty much announce to them that I'm going to overstay one VWP and apply for another on my way back from Mexico?

ps Amy - congrats on your recent marriage

thanks heaps, that makes a lot of sense. I really don't want to go down to the B1/B2 interview and be denied (because then that will make it harder for me to get the VWP!)

So, when I arrive at LA, do I tell immigration my whole plan (going to Mexico then coming back for 2.5 months in the US) or do I just have to show them my Mexican ticket?

Thanks for the Juarez tip - I will be flying direct to/from Zacatecas, so I won't be doing a land crossing.

Oh, sorry, one more question. I actually already have an interview date for the B1/B2 interview. (next week)/ Should I cancel this, or should I just not turn up? (Does not turning up mean that I've technically been denied the visa??)

Hi all,

I'm in two minds about whether I should apply for a B1/B2 visa or do the VWP. I'm going to be coming to LA (from Australia) for 2 weeks, then I'm going to Mexico for 2.5 months (learning Spanish and visiting my sister)...then I want to come back and stay with friends and travel in the US for another 2.5 months.

Obviously this takes me over the 90 days of the VWP, but since I am staying a while in Mexico, and obviously not just hopping across the border for extension purposes, maybe the VWP is the right way to go for me (I am not a big fan of the hassle of going to the Embassy in Melb and getting a B1/B2... which might be denied anyway).

Any thoughts?

thanks

EMma

great - thanks so much. I'll just pay in the AU amount given.

Hi,

Just a quick question. I'm heading off to a Post Office to pay for my tourist visa application. The information page says the visa costs US$140 and that the current exchange rate makes this AU$147.

Here's the info page...

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/niv_fees.html

When I go to pay do I pay in US$ or do I just pay whatever the page says the current exchange rate is?

Emma

oh sorry, I was re-reading and saw I forgot to answer a question. Yes, I have got a quote for travel insurance - it's around $350.

Hi,

thanks everyone for your extremely helpful responses! To answer a few questions, I don't think I can use the VWP because I want to go to the US for 5 or 6 months (and the VWP can't be extended).

Going for 5 or 6 months instead of 3 months is just personal preference - I want to go for that long! I often go to Indonesia for 5 months at a time - I'm not the kind of traveller that likes moving around a lot, I just like going to the one place and staying there.

Also, my friend's partner in the US runs an alternative healing centre and has offered to help treat my illness. I would need to stay quite a few months to do that. (I'm not sure though, if this is something I should say in the interview...I don't want to complicate things).

My understanding was that I had to apply for a tourist visa then hopefully I would be given 180 days upon arrival in the USA...or I would be given 90 days and could apply for an extension to the tourist visa, which I may or may not get.

Is that correct?

No, I have no expenses back in Australia. I live with my father, so if I go away I don't need to pay rent/utulities etc.

I totally understand that just getting the vissa doesn't guarantee me entry into the US.

thanks!

Emma

Hello,

I have some questions regarding a Tourist visa (B1) to the USA.

My situation is: I am an Australian citizen, 38 years old, I live on a disability pension (I have a chronic illness).

I would like to go to stay with a friend in rural Oregon for 180 days. The Australian Govt will pay my pension while I am in the USA. The pension is approx US$680 a fortnight and I have around $3000 in the bank.

My questions are:

Do you think payments of $680 a fortnight would be acceptable as having enough finances? (I will have a letter from the Australian Govt confirming this payment, and I won't be travelling around the US, just staying in Oregon and visiting a friend in Seattle as well so my expenses will be low).

My friend in Oregon has offered me a room in her house, rent free. Would it be helpful for her to write a letter saying this? If so, what kind of documentation should she put with the letter? (Her social security number? Photo of the house?) I have another friend in Seattle who has offered the same thing, and can write a letter as well (just in case the option with the friend in Sisters falls through).

I have seen that friends can sponsor someone to the US. But, my friend in Sisters is not offering full sponsorhip, just free rent. Should she fill out the sponsorship form, or would a letter saying I can stay with her be enough?

Do you think the fact that I have a physical illness will be a problem in getting the visa? It's a very stable condition, I've had it for fifteen years, and I've never been hospitalized or even taken a lot of medication - I just need to rest a lot. Would a letter from my doctor saying this be helpful? (I will also have comprehensive health insurance while I am there.)

I have lived in the US before, for 2 years a decade ago, as a student. I had no visa problems during that time.

thanks!

Emma

i had the same problem yesterday, only I have an Australian passport. I rang the passport office and they told me there is no book number on Australian passports. Can you phone an Indonesian kantor paspor?