Tunisian with British ILR

[Tunisia216 2]

I have a friend who is a British citizen married to a Tunisian. Her husband has the indefinite stay visa and will be eligible to apply for British citizenship next year. They would like to visit the USA for a two week vacation and she was curious as to how difficult it would be for her husband to obtain a tourist visa.

He is going to have to process the tourist visa as a Tunisian citizen ( through his Tunisian passport) but will having the British ILR be of any assistance to them in obtaining a visitor's visa for him.

We know that British subjects that are not citizens are not eligible under the visa waiver program, but just wanted to know what the likelihood of him getting travel permission and the length of the process would be.

They are trying to decide if it's feasible to make the trip now or if it would better to wait until he's gotten British citizenship.

[Leigh Ann 8]

You have to prove ties to a home country to prove that you're not going to stay in America forever. It's very tough for people from the "developing world" to get a tourist visa because the US government assumes that everyone is going to want to stay here - especially if you're a young, single male. The fact that he already has a life in England makes it - I think - much more likely that he'll get approved, but he should bring lots of proof of his life in England. This should include whatever document gives him permanent residence, information about jobs, leases/property, and his marriage. He needs to prove that he has sufficient ties to Britain to ensure that he's going to come back. The fact that he's so close to being a British citizen should definitely help--especially with his wife there.

[milimelo 4,553]

I have a friend who is a British citizen married to a Tunisian. Her husband has the indefinite stay visa and will be eligible to apply for British citizenship next year. They would like to visit the USA for a two week vacation and she was curious as to how difficult it would be for her husband to obtain a tourist visa.

He is going to have to process the tourist visa as a Tunisian citizen ( through his Tunisian passport) but will having the British ILR be of any assistance to them in obtaining a visitor's visa for him.

We know that British subjects that are not citizens are not eligible under the visa waiver program, but just wanted to know what the likelihood of him getting travel permission and the length of the process would be.

They are trying to decide if it's feasible to make the trip now or if it would better to wait until he's gotten British citizenship.

Same circumstances as when you're a US GC holder and need a visa for Schengen for example. GC or in his case ILR makes it just a bit easier to obtain the visa as it gives proof that you'll be returning to the country that you're residing in and obviously have proper papers for.

[Tunisia216 2]

Thank you so much for your replies and information! I've given her the link to the US Embassy in London where they can review the B2 application process, fees, etc.

Hopefully it will go well for them, but in the event he's denied, I'm sure that they can make the trip after he takes British citizenship on the visa waiver program.

Thanks again