Visa Services, U.S. Embassy London

Just read about the fee for travelers registering under ESTA. I have a valid ESTA, will I be required to submit a new registration when the fee is introduced?

visaservices — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:41:22 +0000

No. If you have a valid registration under ESTA, you will not be required to re-register on September 8, 2010 when the fee is introduced. A regisration under ESTA is valid for two years from the date it is authorized or until the date on which the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. You will be subject to the new fee, however, if your registration expires and you re-register on or after September 8, 2010.

Just read the press reports about the ESTA fee. How can I pay it?

visaservices — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:33:18 +0000

The fee will be payable at the time you submit a registration. Payment will be by credit card - Visa, American Express, MasterCard or Discover or debit card – Visa or MasterCard.

Remember the fee will not be introduced until September 8, 2010.

ESTA Fee to be introduced

visaservices — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:09:54 +0000

On September 8, 2010 a new fee of $14.00 is to be introduced for Visa Waiver Program travelers registering under ESTA. A fee of $4.00 will recover the costs incurred by the Department of Homeland Security of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10.00 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) of 2009. Please see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for further information.

Thinking of working in the U.S. for the summer?

visaservices — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:25:31 +0000

Ever wondered what it is like taking part in a summer work exchange program in the United States? Franz Strasser of the BBC has created a video blog of his journey accross America in which he talks to young people who are participating in summer work programs. Check it out at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/franzstrasser/2010/07/first_glimpse_of_america.html. Interested? Visit our website at http://london.usembassy.gov/exchange.html to find out more about summer work exchange programs.

Immigrant Visa Fees are to increase on July 13!

visaservices — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:43:29 +0000

On July 13, 2010 a new tiered fee schedule is to be introduced as follows:

Immediate Relative and Family Preference applicants: $404.00
Employment Preference applicants: $794.00
Special immigrants including widow/widower of a U.S. citizen: $379.00
Diversity Immigrants – $379 plus the DV Fee – $440.00
Applicants for Returning Resident Status - $380.00
K visa applicants – $ 350.00

Application processed by the National Visa Center (NVC): Applicants pay the fee to the NVC before they begin processing their application. Applicants who pay the fees to NVC before July 13 will not be required to pay any supplemental fees if they attend the interview after the 13th.

Application processed by the Embassy

Applicants pay the fee to the Embassy cashier on the day of the visa interview. Applicants who attend the interview on or after July 13, will be subject to the new fees.

The I-94W Goes Paperless!

visaservices4 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:17:08 +0000

During the month of July 2010 the I-94W completed by Visa Waiver Program travelers entering the United States by air or sea is being phased out. Please check with your carrier for further information. The I-94W is the arrival/departure record card handed to travelers by the carrier which is completed and presented to U.S. immigration at the Port of Entry.

Travelers who do not complete the I-94W will have their period of admission written into a stamp in their passport. The I-94W will continue to be used by travelers entering the United States by land and the I-94 by travelers in possession of a valid visa. Further information is available from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Webchat – June 25

visaservices — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:36:54 +0000

If you are a U.S. citizen or the spouse or fiancee of a U.S. Citizen and have a question concerning immigration to the United States, join us on June 25 when a consular officer from the Immigrant Visa Section will be on hand to answer your questions.

The webchat will take place between 10:00 am and 11:00 am but you can access the webchat and post questions in advance on our webchat station at https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/london. Simply enter as guest and provide a suitable screen name. Please note that submitted questions will not appear in system until the date and time of the webchat – June 25 at 10:00 am.

Update on the Operator Assisted Information Service

visaservices — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:05:31 +0000

While call volumes are beginning to return to normal, the Operator Assisted Information Service continues to be busy. If travel is not imminent, please delay making the call. On calling the Service you will hear an opening message before making your selection. If an agent is not available to take your call within 20 seconds of you making that selection, you will receive a message advising you to call back. Callers are no longer placed a queue for which they were charged. The first 20 seconds of this message is free to callers from BT Landlines, however, mobile and other network providers may charge and we recommend you check with them before calling.

Appointment availability

visaservices — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:44:35 +0000

There are lots of appointments available – in fact appointmens are available through until the end of August so do don’t panic! If you are not traveling to the United States within the next couple of weeks, please do not call the Operator Assisted Information Service at this time. Call volumes are at unprecidented levels and as a result, callers cannot get through. We expect call volumes to revert back to normal levels within the next week or so, so if you don’t need to travel now, please delay making that call.

I cannot get through to book an appointment and as I result I have a large telephone bill!

visaservices — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:29:01 +0000

The first 20 seconds of the message that you hear is free to callers from BT landlines. Mobile phone and other network providers do charge, however, and you may wish to check with them before making the call. After the first 20 seconds charges apply to everyone, including those calling from BT landlines.