Processing time for US visa?

[IzZzy]

First time, looking forward! Always wanted to do a US trip.

While on the subject, between these two routes which do you think is the better option:

CPT -> London -> Denver (British)

or

CPT -> Joburg -> Washington -> Denver (SAA)

Always try fly to continent first for US (less chance of an EU strike). To route via London means you need to apply for a UK transit VISA too.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

To route via London means you need to apply for a UK transit VISA too.

Thanks! Was actually unsure about that, will get moving on that.

 

[cguy]

Always try fly to continent first for US (less chance of an EU strike). To route via London means you need to apply for a UK transit VISA too.

As already covered, no, you don't need a transit visa.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

As already covered, no, you don't need a transit visa.

Ye looking at the now, doesn't seem to apply.

http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/uk/transit_visa.html

Applicants who are transiting by air from the following airports are exempt from obtaining a transit visa:

O R Tambo International
Cape Town International
King Shaka
Lanseria

 

[Jola]

Ye looking at the now, doesn't seem to apply.

http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/uk/transit_visa.html

You are exempt not because you are flying from those airports, but because you have a USA or Canadian Visa and are flying to the USA or Canada.

 

[diabolus]

got an interview on the 17th Aug, also hoping for a quick turn around. Will be first one.. B1/B2.. heard it lasts for 10 years?

Yes, i got mine earlier this year, they wanted a ton of paperwork and all that up front and lots of questions during the interview, but once you get approval for the visa, it's a 10 year one and usually sorted in 3-5 days. Make sure your passport is also at least valid for a few years too, otherwise you will probably need to do it again when passport expires.

Also, i guess a general tip for US Embassies (i'm not sure how strict they are in Johannesburg nowadays) , do not take your cellphone/laptop/electronics with you they will not let you in with it and they will not store it for you.

 

[Jola]

1: Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV)
This visa is applicable for South Africans stopping over to connect with other flights. There is a 24 hour restriction on this visa and it does not allow South Africans to pass through the UK Border Control.
The DATV is perfect for South Africans stopping over in the UK on route to Europe.
Fortunately this DATV visa has an exemption clause that allows for South Africans with valid visas and connecting flights to the certain destinations to be exempt from applying for this visa. The visas and connected flights needed in order to qualify for the exemption are:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- USA
Therefore South Africans who have valid visas and flights on route to the above mentioned countries can stop over and change flights without needing visas. This exemption is known as "Transit without Visa". Please note that this also includes return flights to South Africa.

http://www.moveup.co.za/transit.html

I have also seen this on the UK Government website, but cannot find it now.

Edit : Found it https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...hment_data/file/488260/DATV_v3.0EXT_clean.pdf

 

[Jola]

Yes, i got mine earlier this year, they wanted a ton of paperwork and all that up front and lots of questions during the interview, but once you get approval for the visa, it's a 10 year one and usually sorted in 3-5 days. Make sure your passport is also at least valid for a few years too, otherwise you will probably need to do it again when passport expires.

No, the US is quite good, you can just take your old passport with the visa along. I have done this many times.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I've been left hanging now for almost three weeks. They didn't approve my visa immediately after the interview and my application has been in administrative processing since.

I was told about it would take about 2 weeks now it's becoming a problem because it's been 3 weeks and the flight is next week Friday.

Does anyone know of any legal firms that can help with this kind of thing? Two other guys from the company have already had their visas declined (one from France and another from Spain) yet a coworker from Durban got his easily - a bit concerned now that it's going to be declined because I don't have enough ties to the country. They let Bob Mugabe into their country but they're giving me the runaround to go to a week long conference.

 

[bwana]

Does anyone know of any legal firms that can help with this kind of thing? Two other guys from the company have already had their visas declined (one from France and another from Spain) yet a coworker from Durban got his easily - a bit concerned now that it's going to be declined because I don't have enough ties to the country. They let Bob Mugabe into their country but they're giving me the runaround to go to a week long conference.

Legal firm? Until they decline your visa you won't know why they declined it.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Legal firm? Until they decline your visa you won't know why they declined it.

Yes, I would like to be prepared for this outcome as time is short.

 

[theratman]

Yes, I would like to be prepared for this outcome as time is short.

Crazy, when I was there they told me there that it was approved. Think it might be that you will be declined if it's taken that long.

 

[theratman]

Any updates dr zoidberg?

 

[Batista]

Going to go for mine soon, should I shave my beard off to look anti Islam?

 

[flippakitten]

Going to go for mine soon, should I shave my beard off to look anti Islam?

I did that, lol.

 

[Arthur]

Going to go for mine soon, should I shave my beard off to look anti Islam?

I grew a beard since my previous visa.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

I have a visa

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Any updates dr zoidberg?

Yup, my trip had to be cancelled - no word on the visa and time has run out. It's really ridiculous that getting a visa should take 2+ months.

I did at least get a human response from email, and they confirmed they wouldn't know anything in time - so still don't know if it'll be approved or denied.

 

[theratman]

Yup, my trip had to be cancelled - no word on the visa and time has run out. It's really ridiculous that getting a visa should take 2+ months.

I did at least get a human response from email, and they confirmed they wouldn't know anything in time - so still don't know if it'll be approved or denied.

Sorry to hear that man. Something must be up though. I got my 10 year visa in 2012, between jobs and with very little reason to come back.Approved on the spot.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Sorry to hear that man. Something must be up though. I got my 10 year visa in 2012, between jobs and with very little reason to come back.Approved on the spot.

Thanks. In hindsight I should have started the process earlier although I did do it 60 days before which is what they suggested as the minimum safe time.