Visiting on a VWP?

[Mags 112]

I've learned something today then - no idea you needed a 'code' to send an email to them. I thought your case number was enough.

And as Oath said, I thought that automated reply was standard procedure - and didn't necessarily mean your email was just instantly deleted.

I agree that you do get a standard reply saying "if you haven't been authorised to contact us then your email will be deleted without being read blah blah blah" or to that effect. Perhaps Teddy'll be lucky and it was just an automated thing and he'll get a reply.

I think the whole "code" thing is silly and just seems to be a way to extort money out of people in an already expensive process. If it was me, I'd send an email first with just my case number in the subject line. If I got an actual confirmation it was deleted (rather than the automated reply) I'd then bite my tongue and phone the How Much????? Information Line and get the code.

[TracyTN 237]

I think the whole "code" thing is silly and just seems to be a way to extort money out of people in an already expensive process. If it was me, I'd send an email first with just my case number in the subject line. If I got an actual confirmation it was deleted (rather than the automated reply) I'd then bite my tongue and phone the How Much????? Information Line and get the code.

I would definitely try an email with out the extortion code first. If that gave me no reply after a week or so, I'd get the code and try again.

I'd normally chalk it up rip off Britain, but this is the US embassy! (Though our govt is famous for being rip off merchants as well - $100 for a hammer and all

[TimsDaisy 0]

I think the whole "code" thing is silly and just seems to be a way to extort money out of people in an already expensive process. If it was me, I'd send an email first with just my case number in the subject line. If I got an actual confirmation it was deleted (rather than the automated reply) I'd then bite my tongue and phone the How Much????? Information Line and get the code.

I would definitely try an email with out the extortion code first. If that gave me no reply after a week or so, I'd get the code and try again.

I'd normally chalk it up rip off Britain, but this is the US embassy! (Though our govt is famous for being rip off merchants as well - $100 for a hammer and all

That's just to get extra money to fund the Area 51 alien research center . . .

Oh wait, that was just the plot for Independence Day, wasn't it. Nevermind . . . .

[Mags 112]

Actually, I thought it was $20,000.00 on a hammer and $30,000.00 for a toilet seat!

[no name 1]

Since the end of last year they do seem to delete emails un-read unless they have this "code". When I was going through the visa process I sent them emails without a code, just my case number, but since then things seem to have changed a bit. There have been quite a few VJers commenting that they get a message saying their email was deleted without being read because they did not have permission to send one.

How do you get permission? Yeah, that's right, you phone their exorbitant line in Scotland. It's seems a bit ridiculous to me, especially if you have a valid reason to email them and no "code". But, that seems to be the way it is going, I'm afraid. Sure, some people get lucky, email them and get an answer without the code, but the trend seems to be that the code is needed for a definite answer.

Granted we had the interview in October 06 but I got the 'you're not authorized to email us, your email is deleted' email back then and THEN a human reply. I never heard of this code business & were hubby in the UK now, I would still send a normal email to see what happened first.

Edited May 9, 2007 by devilette

[Mags 112]

Since the end of last year they do seem to delete emails un-read unless they have this "code". When I was going through the visa process I sent them emails without a code, just my case number, but since then things seem to have changed a bit. There have been quite a few VJers commenting that they get a message saying their email was deleted without being read because they did not have permission to send one.

How do you get permission? Yeah, that's right, you phone their exorbitant line in Scotland. It's seems a bit ridiculous to me, especially if you have a valid reason to email them and no "code". But, that seems to be the way it is going, I'm afraid. Sure, some people get lucky, email them and get an answer without the code, but the trend seems to be that the code is needed for a definite answer.

Granted we had the interview in October 06 but I got the 'you're not authorizes, your email is deleted' email back then and THEN a human reply. I never heard fo this code business & were hubby in the UK now, I would still send a normal email to see what happened first.

Well, I promise you I didn't make it up.

[no name 1]

Since the end of last year they do seem to delete emails un-read unless they have this "code". When I was going through the visa process I sent them emails without a code, just my case number, but since then things seem to have changed a bit. There have been quite a few VJers commenting that they get a message saying their email was deleted without being read because they did not have permission to send one.

How do you get permission? Yeah, that's right, you phone their exorbitant line in Scotland. It's seems a bit ridiculous to me, especially if you have a valid reason to email them and no "code". But, that seems to be the way it is going, I'm afraid. Sure, some people get lucky, email them and get an answer without the code, but the trend seems to be that the code is needed for a definite answer.

Granted we had the interview in October 06 but I got the 'you're not authorizes, your email is deleted' email back then and THEN a human reply. I never heard fo this code business & were hubby in the UK now, I would still send a normal email to see what happened first.

Well, I promise you I didn't make it up.

I never said that you did.

[selly 0]

I only use a mobile phone so my call to the 'extorsion line' really was extorsionate. Once you have got through all the pre-recorded gumpf and actually talk to someone, they innevitably do not have your case details to hand and have to speak to their supervisor while they put you on hold for another 5 mins only to give you the code to email. They finally finish by saying, ' oh and you can keep up to date on your case at any point by phoning us on this number' yep right of course I will once Ive paid off the overdraft I've had to take out to pay for this call! You then send the email with the right code and get the automated response that it will be dealy with within the next few days............ only for them to ignore everything you have phoned and emailed them over in the first place. They say that buying a house and getting divorced are the most stressful things that anyone has to go through in their life, I wonder if trying to get your visa application processed in an efficient and timely manner has reached anywhere near the same level of recognition of stress levels yet? It should be lol. Good Luck to all.