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peaach

Any experience on renewing a visa? (merged)

By peaach in Tourist Visas

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peaach Rookie

peaach   0

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I currently have a visitor B2 visa that was Issued in september 2015 and is about to expire in septemer this year. I found out that if I would like to renew my visa, there is a chance that I could be exempted from having an interview at the embassy. All I do is filling out the ds 160 and sending in required documents through the mail. More info in this link http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se/se-niv-visarenew.asp . I meet all the requirements listed in this link but I'm uncertain if getting a second visa without an interview is possible.

I'm planning to do this as I want to visit the states again early next year. I'm Vietnamese but I hold permanent residency in Sweden for 4 years. My concern is that I'll be graduating when I plan to visit next year. My parents and my sister live in Sweden for as long as I have. My mother owns a house here and she paid for my previous trips to the states. Next year will be my 5th year living in Sweden, which makes me eligible to become for citizenship here. Should I mention this in my application letter that they required? Will this be considered a strong tie?

Has anyone have experience in renewing their visa without an interview? Or will they just call me in and asked me more questions at the embassy?

peaach Rookie

peaach   0

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Filed: Timeline
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Has anyone renewed their visa by mail before? I want to renew my B2 visa bc it is valid for only a year. Is the process much easier? Do they still call you in for interviews? Should I just start over and apply for a new visa ?

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,116

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Tourist visas can be reissued by mail, if all is well (the applicant has a good travel history, etc.). Mrs. T-B.'s mother had hers reissued in this way. Try and see.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

jan22 Experienced

jan22   3,064

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

Tourist visas can be reissued by mail, if all is well (the applicant has a good travel history, etc.). Mrs. T-B.'s mother had hers reissued in this way. Try and see.

Depends on the country. Check out your country's website to see if they offer "Interview Waiver" or "Re-issuance without interview" options and whether your particular circumstance qualifies for the program.

Edited by jan22
Pooche Newbie

Pooche   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Depends on the country. Check out your country's website to see if they offer "Interview Waiver" or "Re-issuance without interview" options and whether your particular circumstance qualifies for the program.

They do offer that program in sweden and I'm qualified for it. I just wanted to learn more about how other people's experience was with this interview waiver program :) and whether i should do it or get a new visa and do the interview again

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,116

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Heed everything that jan22 says about visas and consular matters. :thumbs:

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

jan22 Experienced

jan22   3,064

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

They do offer that program in sweden and I'm qualified for it. I just wanted to learn more about how other people's experience was with this interview waiver program :) and whether i should do it or get a new visa and do the interview again

If you meet the qualifications, I would recommend you apply via the interview waiver process as it's easier for you and for the Embassy. If they have any questions about your continued qualifications for the visa, they will call you in for an interview to answer them -- they cannot deny the visa through the interview waiver program.

Pooche Newbie

Pooche   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

If you meet the qualifications, I would recommend you apply via the interview waiver process as it's easier for you and for the Embassy. If they have any questions about your continued qualifications for the visa, they will call you in for an interview to answer them -- they cannot deny the visa through the interview waiver program.

thank you for your reply :). Yes, I think I'll go with the interview waiver program this time. But is it true that they can't deny you through this program?

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,116

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

jan22 is a retired CO, so you can believe what he says.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

jan22 Experienced

jan22   3,064

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

thank you for your reply :). Yes, I think I'll go with the interview waiver program this time. But is it true that they can't deny you through this program?

Thanks, TBone. But this response makes me realize I need to clarify. They cannot deny you when you apply via the interview waiver process. But if they have questions about whether you qualify for the via again or not, they will call you in for an interview. During that interview, if the information you provide does not show that you are qualified for a new visa you can be denied. To state in a different way -- they can't deny you without an interview, so when you use the interview waiver program, you basically have two shots at convincing a visa officer that you qualify, once without the interivew and the other at the interview if they call you in. Edited by jan22
 
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