Help me not loose my dream job before Ive even started!
January 29, 2011 3:35 AM Subscribe
My us non immigrant work visa was temporarily refused under section 221(g). I cant work out how to do anything about it.
After a few years of unemployment and bouts of depression, I've managed to land a dream job playing guitar on a cruise ship. At the US embassy in london a few days ago, I was told my case would need aditional processing which could take upto two weeks. I thought this would be OK, though cutting it a bit short as Im due to fly out on the 15th of February. Later when I read the handout that was issued as I was being told it would be fine, it stated it will likely take around 90 days.
The silly thing is that I reviewed my online application afterwards and noticed that I had managed to give the address of a previous employer as Essex, United Arab Emirates, and also hadn't listed the UAE as somewhere I've been (curse you drop down fields!). The only other thing that was different on my form when compared to my bandmates' was that I stated I have non immediate family in the states, so that could possibly be a flag too.
Contacting the Embassy to talk about visas is like trying to contact a rock. I spent a lot of cash yesterday on the phone to not even get through to an operator. Emails get the response 'this email has been deleted without being read'. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing or advice? Is there anything I can do other than wait? Can I submit a new, error free application? I think my manager is probably already looking for options to replace me.
After a few years of unemployment and bouts of depression, I've managed to land a dream job playing guitar on a cruise ship. At the US embassy in london a few days ago, I was told my case would need aditional processing which could take upto two weeks. I thought this would be OK, though cutting it a bit short as Im due to fly out on the 15th of February. Later when I read the handout that was issued as I was being told it would be fine, it stated it will likely take around 90 days.
The silly thing is that I reviewed my online application afterwards and noticed that I had managed to give the address of a previous employer as Essex, United Arab Emirates, and also hadn't listed the UAE as somewhere I've been (curse you drop down fields!). The only other thing that was different on my form when compared to my bandmates' was that I stated I have non immediate family in the states, so that could possibly be a flag too.
Contacting the Embassy to talk about visas is like trying to contact a rock. I spent a lot of cash yesterday on the phone to not even get through to an operator. Emails get the response 'this email has been deleted without being read'. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing or advice? Is there anything I can do other than wait? Can I submit a new, error free application? I think my manager is probably already looking for options to replace me.
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Your best bet for expediting the process isn't to talk to someone or supply more information; it's to contact someone in the US Congress and have them check on your application. Many Senators and Representative have someone on staff who does this. What happens is that the Congressperson's staff sends a message to the consular section asking about the visa, which usually results in a speedy adjudication of the visa. Perhaps ask a relative to make the call.
posted by lockestockbarrel at 11:28 AM on January 29, 2011