Consider what I did/am doing as an alternative: Last summer I spent 90 days (June to September) exploring Canada & the USA going east ~~> to west, covering 14,000 miles from Halifax NS to San Francisco, CA. See my second blog-link below for a map of the ground I covered (top of home page).

My bike's been in hibernation since last September, stored in a friend's secure, dry barn for the last six months. I fly back to San Fran this coming Sunday, March-16, to start a 10-week - c. 10,000-mile - ride east and south back ultimately to New York City (Newark) from where we'll ship and fly home to the UK in late May.

So why not think about breaking your adventure into two separate rides? It's working for me ..

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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Right Way Round ...

Sorry to hear about your problem. As an American citizen, nothing I've ever encountered is as capricious, arbitrary, frustrating, and opaque as the processes by which foreigners obtain (or don't obtain) US visas. It's an embarassment and a great discredit to our country.

Anyway, IF you can reset the 90 day clock with a one month departure from the US (don't know about this), I'm sure you could have a great time in Canada or Mexico for that period, so I wouldn't view that as a major problem. Or, as someone else suggested, try to reapply at a different consulate--the system is so capricious that you might well obtain one. Might not hurt to bring maps, guidebooks, itineraries, or whatever to show that 90 days is just not enough time for such a trip.

Best of luck to you, and whatever you do have a great time.

I'm amazed we never saw each other as we meandered around the states. I really like your idea of leaving the bike and returning to complete the 2nd leg (not sure work would have gone for me doing it twice in 12 months :-) )

Have fun on the next leg.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Thanks to one and all for comments made.

In retrospect the biggest mistake we made was being totally honest in declaring we were quitting our jobs without mentioning the word "sabbatical" or other such phrase which would indicate we'd be coming back to UK to resume our current jobs....i've been in mine for the past 19 years and figured i was due for a change on my return! In the end showing strong and continuous ties to the UK in the form of family / UK house deeds / healthy bank balance / etc etc counted for nought.

If anyone makes the trip across London to US embassy looking for an extended tourist visa i strongly advise to think on the above..this from someone with no record of bankrupcy / criminal record or other such black spot or misdemenour....also have never been refused entry on many previous short business / pleasure visits to the USA.

The US embassy have a very important job to do...however...why would anyone from a VWP participating country apply for an extended tourist visa if it were their intention not to return to their home country on conclusion of their trip? If such a person had no intention to return home wouldnt they simply enter the USA on a 3 month VWP ticket and disappear anyway?? I know my logic must be flawed but somehow i just cant see it today.....

Wile e
Having now applied in London i fear we are marked...if we're black balled in our home country not much chance from elsewhere

Brittman
That is such a kind offer and we thank you for it. Dont think going to Canada for a month would work...seems like we'd have to leave the continent

Keith
Thats a really good idea and one we're going to explore....btw..fantastic NZ piks

Motor
During our interview we showed route details from Cape May to Olympic Loop with all manner of stuff in between including listing details of every campsite and when we'd be there. You're right...90 days just isnt long enough.

Bruce
10yrs?? Bloody heck...that must some job you're going back to!

Steve

I think 10 years is the standard, it was noted we only wanted 6 months and that was calculated for our exit date when we got to NY.

Other things that may have helped us get the Visa

We both had letters saying our jobs would still be available when we returned.
I work for an American company
Our plan was for 3 months, the flights were booked right upto 90 days and we only wanted the visa in case of delays (which there were).

All I need to do now is work out how to transfer it to my next passport as my passport expires in 2010 :-(

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