US Visa Appointment Times / Scheduling

[Bjorn]

Hi,

I'm currently travelling, but going to fly back home to Germany over christmas & want to apply for a 6-month visa for the US.
For this, I need to apply online for an appointment at the US embassy (visa interview).

Does anyone know how the appointment system works? I mean – does the system 'dictate' a date/time to you, or can you chose your own?
All I know is that there is a minimum waiting time (7 days at the moment in Berlin), but can I chose to have my appointment in, say, 12 days?

Also: Is it possible to obtain a US visa 'en route', i.e. outside your home country?

[clayton]

After you complete the application and pay for the visa fee you are required to go to a consulate for a interview to complete your visa. A consulate will be in the country you are currently in as a representative for America.

[Bjorn]

I know all that, but the question remains the same:

How does the consulate appointment system work? Will I be GIVEN a date/time, or can I CHOOSE between different slots available?

[TurboCharger]

Hi Bjorn,

Why don't you try to call them... although it might be a bit expensive from S.America.

Tel: +49 (0)9131-772-2270

http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/infoservice/


Safe travels.

[Bjorn]

Can't call that number from S-America. It's a service number only available in Germany, charged more than €1 per minute.
The number from outside Germany is charged US$15 flat

Basically, ANY visa-related questions, the embassy won't answer. (Berlin or London, doesn't matter). They ALWAYS refer you to their expensive service numbers.

[Tiffany]

Hey Bjorn
the US Embassy in London allowed me to specify a date 2 weeks in advance as I said I had work issues...so should maybe it will work the same in Berlin.

also beware- it took 15 calls until I got through to someone to talk to and each of those 14 previous calls ended up costing me almost a £1 each.

[Bjorn]

That's really good news. I'll probably go through the London embassy anyway. Tried to call them this morning but it's Thanks Giving.

Calling from abroad, I think you pay a flat fee for that "make an appointment phone call", by credit card.

[TravellingStrom]

Down here in Oz, once I filled in the application online, I was then taken to another page where I could open a calander and SELECT the date and time I wanted. I could see on which days were booked out, also which time slots were available, this made booking a return flight and connections very easy.

I am sure it will be the same with your US consulate booking sytem.

Cheers
TS

[Tiffany]

Hey TS
I wish it was the same system in England, but you can only get the interview booked by going through the premium phone call.
If people are applying in the UK, the website is
Embassy of the United States London, UK - Nonimmigrant Visas
for info on how to apply and fees etc.

It sounds like you're underway with the process Bjorn - I assume you've got a German passport - have they confirmed you can apply in London? That could be useful for other people to know.
Good luck, and if you're in England, pop down to Cornwall for a visit.

[Bjorn]

Yes, apparently I can apply in the London embassy, because what matters is the residency not nationality. And I've been tax resident in the UK since 2002.

Will certainly give you a shout once I'm in Cornwall – I used to live there for 4 years. Could be a while before I get down there though

[Bjorn]

OK, so I just booked my appointment with the embassy in London. I called the "outside the UK" number for a flat fee of US$16 (paid by credit card, number given to the human(!) phone operator), got through straight away and could choose any date I liked so long as it was within their minimum waiting time.

Too easy

[Bjorn]

I'm self-employed in the UK (photographer), applying for a 6-month visa for the US at the London embassy next week.

Does anyone here have any ideas on how to prove to them that I have "intentions to leave the USA" after 6 months? An airplane ticket, obviously, for the "normal tourist". But I'm entering on a landborder with my own vehicle... And I don't own a house either...

All I can think of is: a detailed itinerary for my onwards journey in Africa, from September 2011 onwards. And I can prove that I've got enough funds to last me for another 1-2 years of travelling.

Anything else you can think of? Has anyone (without property or job in the home country) with a previous "2 year RTW track record" ever applied for a 6-month US visa?

[Bjorn]

Hi,

Just preparing all the printouts for my interview appointment at the London Embassy. In the "Non-Immigrant Visa INTERVIEW Confirmation" letter, it says the following:

• If you cannot view and print this letter with the bar code in the upper right hand corner or with the link to instruction page, please call 09042-450100 (calls cost £1.20/min)

But in THAT letter, there's only an 8-digit number (on the 2nd page, the "machine readable visa application receipt"), and NOT a barcode.

The only barcode I can find in all the documents they sent me is on the "Non-Immigrant Visa APPLICATION Confirmation" (i.e. NOT on the INTERVIEW Confirmation).
Hope this all makes sense...

Can anyone remember what it was like when they applied? I mean – did you have 2 barcodes altogether, or just 1 barcode/1 number?
Tiffany? TravellingStrom?

Cheers
Bjorn