B Visa waiver question (split)

[GordonC 2]

Hi all, i've had my interview for a NIV B2 Tourist visa on March 7th in London.

I have a criminal record resulting from being addicted to opiates in 2002 ( whilst working as a Dr) , for which I am fully recovered ( and deeply regretful)  and help others with similar problems now.

I've been working as a Dr again since 2005 after recovery till the present day. 

 I applied for a B2 visa successfully for a holiday in 2011, valid for a year, and have this Visa in my old passport. I had to present this at my interview.

 I had planned to go on a cruise out of Vancouver to Alaska for my 60th birthday this year in June. I assumed that, as I had had the previous ineligibility overturned that there would be much less of a ( time) problem this time ...however the whole 'waiver of ineligibility' issue has come up again so I'm looking at having to cancel my trip, as it can take 'up to 6 months to decide' . In 2011 it took 20 weeks to get this waiver.

Am I to understand that every time I now apply for a Visa B2 I will have to go through this lengthy process?

It seems odd that, as nothing is different from the last Waiver, they cannot sort a Visa out sooner ( at the Embassy...)

I know it says not to book anything till you have a visa approved, but since Covid there have been so few appointments available till now ( understandable)  and I assumed there would be less of a ait 2nd time around ( perhaps very naively )

Any thoughts re this and has anyone had similar issues

Cheers G 

[Boiler 45,733]

Long time I have seen a B D3 waiver, presumably because so few B's have been processed. 5 or 6 months seems as good a guess as any.

[millefleur 5,047]

**Hijack post split into its own thread. Keep all discussion around your question to this thread.**

 

VJ Moderation

[Austin96 15]

On 3/8/2022 at 8:25 PM, GordonC said:

Hi all, i've had my interview for a NIV B2 Tourist visa on March 7th in London.

I have a criminal record resulting from being addicted to opiates in 2002 ( whilst working as a Dr) , for which I am fully recovered ( and deeply regretful)  and help others with similar problems now.

I've been working as a Dr again since 2005 after recovery till the present day. 

 I applied for a B2 visa successfully for a holiday in 2011, valid for a year, and have this Visa in my old passport. I had to present this at my interview.

 I had planned to go on a cruise out of Vancouver to Alaska for my 60th birthday this year in June. I assumed that, as I had had the previous ineligibility overturned that there would be much less of a ( time) problem this time ...however the whole 'waiver of ineligibility' issue has come up again so I'm looking at having to cancel my trip, as it can take 'up to 6 months to decide' . In 2011 it took 20 weeks to get this waiver.

Am I to understand that every time I now apply for a Visa B2 I will have to go through this lengthy process?

It seems odd that, as nothing is different from the last Waiver, they cannot sort a Visa out sooner ( at the Embassy...)

I know it says not to book anything till you have a visa approved, but since Covid there have been so few appointments available till now ( understandable)  and I assumed there would be less of a ait 2nd time around ( perhaps very naively )

Any thoughts re this and has anyone had similar issues

Cheers G 

Hi.

Currently, it is taken as little as 6 weeks to get your WAIVER approved at the London Consulate. I had my interview for a B1/B2 visa on the 31st Jan 2022, and was recommended for a waiver by the Consular officer. The waiver was approved on 1st of March 2022 for a period of 5 years. There are also others on this forum that have had their waiver approved within the time scale indicated. Hope this helps.

[GordonC 2]

Thanks Austin, that is encouraging....

 

[jan22 3,056]

On 3/8/2022 at 2:25 PM, GordonC said:

Am I to understand that every time I now apply for a Visa B2 I will have to go through this lengthy process?

It seems odd that, as nothing is different from the last Waiver, they cannot sort a Visa out sooner ( at the Embassy...)

The ineligibility you have is usually referred to as "permanent" -- which is technically not quite true.  You will no longer need to apply for a waiver of the ineligibility after you turn 99 years old.  Until then, yes, you will need a waiver for any visa you apply for until that time.

 

The waiver is not approved at the Embassy.  A waiver requires an agreement between the US Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to waive the specific ineligibility.  The Consular Section will make a recommendation for approval/disapproval of the waiver which is then sent electronically to DHS for final adjudication.  This will have to happen for every visa application, as otherwise there is not means for the two agencies to know that there is no change from the last waiver.

[GordonC 2]

Thanks, I had come to this conclusion as a result of my recent experience. I guess I was hoping the waiver, having been granted, and there being no further issues on my 'record' that it would be a formality. Hey Ho...Is it made clear anywhere that hte waiver only lasts the length of the Visa?

Thanks for your help

G

[Boiler 45,733]

It probably is a formality. You were previously approved for a waiver and I assume have nothing negative on your history.

 

You applied for a visa and you need a waiver as it is not otherwise approvable.

[GordonC 2]

I'm glad to say that my Visa has been granted ( ? for what length of time) and I've sent my passport back to the Embassy today for issuance. Very Happy, thanks for everyones comments. 

[GordonC 2]

Just to say they granted me a 5 year Visa this time. So that should last me out!

It took just over 4 weeks from the interview to having my passport back in my possession. 

Thanks again for all your advice. 

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, GordonC said:

Just to say they granted me a 5 year Visa this time. So that should last me out!

It took just over 4 weeks from the interview to having my passport back in my possession. 

Thanks again for all your advice. 

Congratulations! 

[kokoro88 1]

Hi, congrats for the success! Can I ask what did you prepare for the 'waiver'? Thanks