Arriving in USA with a B1/B2 visa

[RooFlyer]

Having travelled to Iran last year, I now have a B1/B2 visa for entry to the USA (can't now get an ESTA).

Has anyone (Oz passport holder) entered the US with a passport visa recently?

I imagine there is a form to fill out, and hopefully offered on the plane before arrival (it'll be Qantas)? Any tips for queues at LAX? (Sigh ... its been such a breeze with an ESTA and e-passport these last years ...)

 

[JohnM]

Watching with interest. I applied for my LOTFAP visa online last week. Now waiting for the interview appointment at the PER consulate.

I thought you said previously that they asked for countries visited in the application. But all they asked for is the dates of the previous five visits to LOTFAP.

Will I need a list of countries visited when I go for the interview?

 

[RooFlyer]

I thought you said previously that they asked for countries visited in the application. But all they asked for is the dates of the previous five visits to LOTFAP.

Will I need a list of countries visited when I go for the interview?

During the interview (which wasn't really an interview, as in Q&A, but more of a processing occasion), I volunteered that I would be visiting Iran, and I think he typed it in, but there was no asking of WHY I was applying for a B1/B2 rather than ESTA. In fact I don't think they asked for any of the documents/info they said to bring (except passport, of course) - but of course you will take them anyway!

Process at Melbourne consulate: Queue to get into the security area, let in a couple of a time. Electronic sign-in and x-ray security (leave phones there). Escorted up elevators same few at a time. Another security point, enter processing area. Queue to get to first person who assesses what you want to do. Join another queue to pay the fee. Join another queue to see the interview person. Exit to first security point, pick up phone. In MEL, the "appointment" time is more of a 'turn up time'.

Vast majority in my queues I'd guess were not Australian citizens and had masses of docs with them! Probably a relief to the officers to get a plain vanilla in front of them!

 

[JohnM]

I guess that if I had applied for an ESTA, that's where I would have had to notify that I had visited Iran and presumably the application would not be permitted to progress from there? Did you look at the ESTA rules regarding countries visited?

 

[JohnM]

BTW, how long is a visa valid?

 

[RooFlyer]

I think they have choice of 1 or 5 years ( I chose 5) but I have also heard of 10. Longer terms cost more of course.

 

[Mattyana2003]

Having travelled to Iran last year, I now have a B1/B2 visa for entry to the USA (can't now get an ESTA).

Has anyone (Oz passport holder) entered the US with a passport visa recently?

I imagine there is a form to fill out, and hopefully offered on the plane before arrival (it'll be Qantas)? Any tips for queues at LAX? (Sigh ... its been such a breeze with an ESTA and e-passport these last years ...)

Hi
I also traveled to Iran this year with my family and now need a visa. Does anyone know if I need to get my children to do an interview or can I do it on their behalf? Thanks

 

[JohnM]

I can't advise on that. I'd be surprised if they didn't want to inspect the offsprogs - nobody does neurotic like LOTFAP.

 

[RooFlyer]

Nor me. Give 'em a call (but I expect their web site will say so) - don't leave anything to chance when it comes to USA.

 

[leadman]

No need to fill out the blue form now, either for a B1/B2 or ESTA. I got knocked back for ESTA with the new passport in Dec/Jan, then knocked back for a visa for no explained reason, then had an e:mail a few days later as "my case was reviewed". Passport done in four weeks, but seem to have no problem going through US customs now, in fact i have done two within 15 minutes of landing.

Bigger problem is waiting for luggage at LAX, MEL absolutely beats them hands down and we wont even mention SIN!

 

[Mattyana2003]

Thanks everyone. How long have has it been taking the USA embassy to process these visas? I’m assuming I’ll have to leave my passport with them while it’s being processed?

 

[RooFlyer]

I got told that my visa was approved when I attended the consulate for my 'interview'. Not so much as an interview as an eyeballing and paying of fee. IE it had all been done via the online info.

Passport was taken to put the visa sticker in and was back to me in under a week, and trackable.

 

[leadman]

It took just over 3 weeks for the return of my passport, which actually went to Sydney. I have a feeling mine was a special case after first being rejected for both ESTA and a visa

 

[RooFlyer]

Well, you do tend to get about more than most!

 

[leadman]

Well, you do tend to get about more than most!

Both fortunate and unfortunate; but the visa-stall turned out to be quite good as it was an enforced holiday at home. But i must admit turning up at the US Consulate and getting the original visa knock-back was a shock to the system. i could write a whole new post on it; from bruising the travel ego to the possible ramifications of being knocked back, why? whats happened, entering other countries, etc, etc,

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't do your amount of work travel, but going to the USA was necessary for my job, so I had to think twice about going to Iran and nullifying my ESTA and compromising a possible US visa. So I got.my US visa before I visited Iran .

Must have been nasty to get the nockback, but interesting that it righted itself without ( as I read it) an appeal from you.

LOFAP State Department moves in mysterious ways!

BTW, as I've posted elsewhere, I've had no problems at all in entering the USA with B1/B2 and also with a big Iranian visa stamp on my passport!

 

[Mattyana2003]

Has anybody else noticed that the USA EMBASSY only takes bookings up to two weeks out?

 

[JohnM]

I attended the LOTFAP consulate in Perth one morning (after booking an appointment). Advised visa granted and it will be sent out. I guess I was there about 1-1.5 hours. Went home. That same afternoon that I received tracking advice that it was on its way back to me.

 

[slinky123]

My daughter has been waiting 15 months now for B2 VISA after being denied for ESTA eventhough she is completely eligible. Something has gone horribly wrong and the Consulate are no help whatsoever, keep giving her form emails to say to keep waiting while they look into it. Told it would take 2 weeks initially and now its 15 months later.