Visa
 

Just starting my initial period of annoyance in visa app for USA. I tried the 160 on line, but as I had no first place of staying, I was stumped!
What do you other guys do to fill in this box?
Also, just wondering how long I am likely to get on a visa to explore the USA?
I was planning on air freighting the bike over and touring USA, Canada and Mexico for almost a year, before heading into South America.

However, I am getting the feeling that the good old USA will really not want me on the loose for that long?

There is prob a financial cut off, but if I can only get 3 months, the cost of getting there will be a huge proportion of the trip expenses.

Any useful, or not useful hints would be appreciated,

William.

If you have an electronic chipped passport, apply online for a MAXIMUM 3 month visa

If you want longer, the max you will get is 6 months, you then have to leave the country before you can re-enter, and not by slipping into Canada or Mexico, it has to be a NON land border, so I would plan your trip around the 6 months mark

Cheers
TS

Visa
 

Hi William,

When you get to the bit where they want an address (annoying because you can't go any further) just find the address of a hostel or Motel that is in the city of arrival and use that. When you go for the interview they might ask if you are going to be staying there the whole six months! But at that point if you can show them a rough itinerary that will satisfy them.

Also take a current bank statement with you to prove you have enough funds so you won't be looking for work. They don't seem to understand that some people don't want to live there and work straight away doh

Thanks guys; looks like that is as I understand things. Also, you have confirmed my suspicions about the clock starting the moment I enter the USA. and keeps running in Canada and Mexico. There is prob still a border sign saying "Welcome to the USA", but maybe not. If there is I will be sure to photograph it.

When I shipped my bike to the US in 2006, I intended to stay for 93 days. I had already booked the flights and had I had my head screwed on, I would have spaced the flights 89 days apart. 90 days or longer, you require a visa.

For an address, the address of the first hotel/motel will do. I told them the address of a friend in NJ I was staying with. For the interview I had to go to the US Embassy in London with the correct size photos (of me). The usual ones won't do, then wait in a queue for an hour followed by a further long wait inside before a three minute 'interview'. They really are dead worried that you'll get there, run out of money and become a burden to the state. The visa arrived ten days later, two days before my flight:oops2:

Im fairly certain I just put camping/motels

I did not have an address at the time.

I may have attatched a note explaining that I was touring.
The best thing to do is when you get the interview, take along as much supporting paperwork for you finances

Cheers
Will

I put N/A in a number of those boxes and the address of the HU meeting in Cambria in the others.

No problems, getting the visa was the easy part, the guy at the border still has to let you in also.

Well now, there's a nice cheery positive thought!
And people wonder why I am travelling alone.

I'll find out one way or the other 26th Nov.