US Visa waiver of ineligibilty

[claudyb]

We recently won a holiday to Florida, but my husband had an 18 year old conviction for drugs so is unable to travel under the visa waiver program. He attended an interview at the American embassy 6 and a half weeks ago, where a recommendation was made for him to receive a waiver of ineligibility for travel. He was told during the interview that he would receive an e-mail with instructions on where to send his passport, and how to obtain the visa, but we haven't heard a thing despite numerous premium rate calls to the embassy and unanswered e-mails, and we are due to travel in 6 weeks. Does anybody have any ideas or experiences re this?

[237SJ]

If you can`t get any contact from them your only option might be for him to have another interview. Maybe they got his email address wrong.

[Buenchico]

Have you tried the 'Case Status Check' here?
http://london.usembas...ative_processing.html

That might help but that page does state "The review of your application may take 90 days to complete. In some cases, processing can take six months or longer, so if your case is not yet listed, please check back periodically for the latest information".

However if the visa application required a 'Yes' answer to a relevant D-160 question, you won't be able to use that link to check of the progress of the application. Further, the Embassy's blog states: "If your application is subject to additional processing because you have answered “Yes” to one or more of the Security and Background questions on the DS-160, you should allow approximately 16 weeks for the application to be processed":
http://www.usembassy....k/visaservices/?p=218

The longest wait I've seen reported, here on AB, for processing was one of 14 months, before the applicant was refused a visa through two convictions of driving without insurance.

I'll cross my fingers for you but allowing a total of around 3 months for US visa processing is probably simply not long enough. Most applications take up to double that time to process (and sometimes far longer).

Chris

[anncars]

We are in the same boat. been waiting 7 weeks since embassy appointment. booked to go at end of June. my wee girl will be devastated if we have to cancel and only have till next week to change or will lose money. they told my husband between 1 and 3 months so we could risk it but what if he doesnt get it or they have lost his application. caught betweeen a rock and a hard place and I am sick with worry.

[anncars]

We are in the same boat. I am ill with worry. interview was 7 weeks ago and we are booked to travel at end of june. my 8 yr old will be devastated if we have to cancel. not sure what to do, have to pay off holiday by next week and still no word. they told my hubby between 1 and 3 months.