Scheduling an Appointment for Interview - Contradicting schedules?

[cacb 1]

Hi all,

 

First time using this website, I am just not sure if I have done the right thing or what I should do to proceed.

 

I'm looking to get a B2 Visa to go to the US for longer than 3 months - I have never organised international travel by myself before, so I had been following the steps on the websites travel.state.gov and www.ustraveldocs.com

 

I filled out the DS-160 on ceac.state.gov and uploaded the photo, that part is done.

 

I followed the rest of the steps through www.ustraveldocs.com, a.k.a. CGI Federal - paid the 160USD visa application fee and received a 12 digit receipt number and an invoice.

Now that I have gone to the step to book an appointment I am unsure if CGI Federal is the right website to go about this as I can see their system to book an appointment at the Perth Consulate has different appointment slots from the one I found following travel.state.gov's instructions, at au.usembassy.gov - I've attached the two calendars to book appointments to compare the discrepancy between the two.

 

Two questions:

Is the 160USD visa application fee I paid through CGI federal legitimate? Is there any snag here/was I supposed to do it through another site?

Should I book my visa appointment through the calendar from the us embassy website or through CGI Federal, through which I've already created an account and submitted it that way?

 

 

Regards

 

[Crazy Cat 42,033]

You will be scheduling a VISA appointment....not Notary Services.  Longer than 3 months?  The length of your authorized stay will be determined at the border by CBP personnel, not the consulate.  

Edited March 1, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[jan22 3,056]

The first calendar you posted is not for visa appointments.  It is for American Citizen Services appointments to have documents notarized and other services provided by ACS.  Use the second calendar.

[Redro 4,611]

2 hours ago, cacb said:

Hi all,

 

First time using this website, I am just not sure if I have done the right thing or what I should do to proceed.

 

I'm looking to get a B2 Visa to go to the US for longer than 3 months - I have never organised international travel by myself before, so I had been following the steps on the websites travel.state.gov and www.ustraveldocs.com

 

I filled out the DS-160 on ceac.state.gov and uploaded the photo, that part is done.

 

I followed the rest of the steps through www.ustraveldocs.com, a.k.a. CGI Federal - paid the 160USD visa application fee and received a 12 digit receipt number and an invoice.

Now that I have gone to the step to book an appointment I am unsure if CGI Federal is the right website to go about this as I can see their system to book an appointment at the Perth Consulate has different appointment slots from the one I found following travel.state.gov's instructions, at au.usembassy.gov - I've attached the two calendars to book appointments to compare the discrepancy between the two.

 

Two questions:

Is the 160USD visa application fee I paid through CGI federal legitimate? Is there any snag here/was I supposed to do it through another site?

Should I book my visa appointment through the calendar from the us embassy website or through CGI Federal, through which I've already created an account and submitted it that way?

 

 

Regards

 

Hi! 

Please report back after you visa interview. 

Usually those who qualify for ESTA are denied B1/B2 visas as most people don't have the resources to vacation for 3+ months. And COs believe they will overstay. 

Also, be aware 6 months is not guaranteed. 

A member recently posted about only being granted 1 month entry even though B2 allows up to 6 months. 

 

[cacb 1]

Appreciate the help from everyone - I can see my confusion, I am not sure why the travel.state.gov website recommended to book through the embassy page if it's only for US Citizen services - I'll book an appointment with the second calendar. 

 

I have had friends who have gone through the visa process and explained to me how they had done it, one of them had gotten a B-1/2 visa and explained to me that they asked her what her purpose was for going to the USA, and if she had the financial means to support her stay. She was approved, they stamped her passport with the visa and posted it back within a couple of weeks. 

She even mentioned it was at the Dallas airport where she was initially approved for 6 months, which is the maximum, but asked what she needed to do for a 6 month extension, which they directed her to a customs room where she explained her reasoning why she was staying longer - in her case it was a church program that ran for 9 months and had a letter from the director explaining what it was about - they took that and gave her an exemption (?) that allowed her to stay longer than 6 months.

I am grossly simplifying her scenario, but my take from her story was that customs officer will stamp you for the time necessary if you have the right reasons.

 

Also just glossing over the website it seems COs need you to prove that you have ties to your home country (my entire family, friends and work is in Australia) - my friends did not mention the consulate asking this at all, only their financial means to cover the trip and their reason for going.

[Redro 4,611]

12 hours ago, cacb said:

She even mentioned it was at the Dallas airport where she was initially approved for 6 months, which is the maximum, but asked what she needed to do for a 6 month extension, which they directed her to a customs room where she explained her reasoning why she was staying longer - in her case it was a church program that ran for 9 months and had a letter from the director explaining what it was about - they took that and gave her an exemption (?) that allowed her to stay longer than 6 months.

I am grossly simplifying her scenario, but my take from her story was that customs officer will stamp you for the time necessary if you have the right reasons.

Everyone has a different experience. 

I flew into Dallas a few years back and it was not a fun time. I was questioned and taken into secondary. 

I think as long as you have a solid reason (like your friend) for needing to stay in the States for more than 3 months you should be good.

But, most people don't have the financial resources to vacation for more than a month at a time. 

How are you planning to fund your trip?

Are you aware working in the US on B2 (even working for your company in Australia) is not allowed?

 

[cacb 1]

On 3/2/2022 at 12:55 AM, ROK2USA said:

Hi! 

Please report back after you visa interview. 

Usually those who qualify for ESTA are denied B1/B2 visas as most people don't have the resources to vacation for 3+ months. And COs believe they will overstay. 

Also, be aware 6 months is not guaranteed. 

A member recently posted about only being granted 1 month entry even though B2 allows up to 6 months. 

 

 

As you have asked I am reporting back after the interview

 

My first time doing this so I was very happy with the experience at the Perth consulate. Once past security, there were two booths that were active for visa services, one called up people just to take the passport and DS160 front page and the return postage satchel and scanned fingerprints, then you sat back down and got called by another booth later which then the CO there asked your reasons for applying for the visa and all that.
Aside from waiting it was all very quick. Only really asked that I wasn't being going to be paid or employed, or take any course for credit, then asked how I intended to pay, which I said I had savings and would be staying with friends and would have some financial help as well. I couldn't hear him that well through the muffled glass, but seemed to say after that he should approve my visa and expect it to be returned when done (which I'm guessing is 3 weeks to a month typically)

I see a lot of other posts asking you to prove ties to home country but it did not get asked at all. In fact I got an email the day before telling me I had to now bring a letter explaining my purpose and itinerary. I very hurriedly wrote this that night, but at the interview it was never required of me.
 

I am pretty hopeful that I should get the visa but I am guessing you all know that's never for certain, even if they suggest it should be approved at the interview which was the impression I got. I am now preparing a proper full itinerary, and will look at booking flights (departure and return) as soon as the visa comes back (assuming it does), as I am sure the CBP personnel at whichever airport I arrive at (might be Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport) will probably want something a lot more substantial than the consulate did, especially if I would be asking for an extension to the usual maximum of 6 months.

 

As usual if anyone does see any problems or any naïveté on my part please give me any advice you all might have! Would be greatly appreciated as it is the first time I am ever doing something like this.

[Redro 4,611]

@cacb thank you so much! I love reading B1/B2 interview reports. Hope you hear back soon. 

[cacb 1]

Last time I update this - here's something even crazier

 

Just got my passport back in the post. Today. Not even a whole week went by, and I got it back! Is that normal? I was expecting to wait up to 3 or 4 weeks but they processed it in 3 days time and posted it back to me.

Did I just get really lucky?

 

Gotta say for my first time going through this process I had a great experience, reading most of the posts here you would think you would have to go through hell and back but it was very straightforward and efficient for me