Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> It is not that easy to get into America
        
(Message started by: Jasmyn on May 2nd, 2006, 1:32pm)
Title: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Jasmyn on May 2nd, 2006, 1:32pm
It would lately surely take an alien invitation from space to get into your country... besides crawling through borders, swimming oceans... brimming with sharks or hitching a ride on a carrier pigeon! ::)

I had an appointment for my US visa today in Mozambique.  My goodness gracious!

No, I cannot apply for a US visa here as I'm not a permanent resident.  I have to apply in my home country.

Ok, so I try to phone the American Consulate in South Africa.  They don't take normal calls anymore.

They have this thing called a Visa Information Service call centre, that I'm sure are only manned by one single human being.  :o

You cannot just call them, noooo... you have to make a credit card payment of 14,3 Dollars before they will give you a pin number.  Then you call and use this pin number and hold for 3 hours until this one single human operator becomes available and then... you have exactly 9 minutes to get info and make a booking.

Ok, I got a booking... will go to a British Bank and pay the 100 Dollars fee that is non-refundable for application of this Visa.  Then I will travel for 8 hours across borders to get to the correct Consulate but I'll be there, come rain or high water!

So, you still want to get to visit America?  Yip, is your answer... now the real fun starts.

You have to fill out lengthy forms where they ask you if you are a terrorist.  They will investigate your background, phone up your old lovers and make sure you were born from a mother. ;;D  Besides that you have to bring letters of invitation, proof of letters of invitation, prove that it was real people or organizations that invited you, proof that you will return to your own country - (here husbands and children don't count as enough prove) [smiley=gocrazy.gif] - 3 months bank statements, letters from you husbands employer, proof of property, proof of employment and don’t forget the fingerprints and the interview!

Really people, your country is not that easy anymore to invade, I can vouch for that and I only wanted to come to a legitimate convention. [smiley=cowboy.gif]

Well I hope all ends well, as I already booked my flight and they told us today:
“We strongly urge that you NOT purchase tickets or make irrevocable travel plans before obtaining a visa.” just after they urged me to submit an itinerary with specific travel plans. :D

Hope to see you soon at the Convention in Milwaukee!
[smiley=me&mb.gif]
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Karla on May 2nd, 2006, 1:41pm
OMG! That is just a bit much!  You sure must love us to go through all of that.  Hope to see you soon!
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by BobG on May 2nd, 2006, 1:54pm
And, the American Visa Information Service Call Centre is in India manned by a Bangladeshi.

;;D
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Rock_Lobster on May 2nd, 2006, 1:56pm
Or you could just marry Chewy and walk right in.  
But you would have to do his laundry (heh heh... laundry) until you dump him right after the convention.
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Donna_D. on May 2nd, 2006, 2:18pm
Jaz,

I got your email and am working on the letter now.  

You shouldn't have any problems after you get it...and you sure won't have to marry Chewy to get here :P

No worries.  I'm on top of it all.


DD
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Ghost on May 2nd, 2006, 2:42pm

on 05/02/06 at 14:18:19, Donna_D. wrote:
Jaz,



No worries.  I'm on top of it all.


DD



Even Chewy? [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] ;;D 8) ;)

Mike
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by mynm156 on May 2nd, 2006, 2:53pm
Unfortunatly Jas thats how it is for some not for others.  If you are from a poorer country you stand almost NO CHANCE of getting in here without proof that you have something to make you come back or lots and lots of money.

Good Luck!

MYNM156
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Donna_D. on May 2nd, 2006, 3:12pm

on 05/02/06 at 14:42:29, Ghost wrote:
Even Chewy? [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] ;;D 8) ;)

Mike



Them's fightin' words, pardner...


Jas, check your email.


DD
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Svenn on May 2nd, 2006, 3:33pm
Jas,does that means that its safer for me in Milwaukee now?   [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]


Cant wait to see you in Milwaukee


Svenn
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Woobie on May 2nd, 2006, 3:53pm
CHEESE N RICE!!!

Well, Get 'er DONE!!!!!!!!!!!  

cant wait to meet you Jas!!!


woobs :-*
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Jasmyn on May 2nd, 2006, 3:57pm
People, I'm in tears.  This great lady of ours, Donna, send me not only an affidavit but a copy of her drivers licence as proof that I am legit!

Donna, THANK YOU!  This means the world to me.

At least now I have a fighting chance to get a visa and I'm gonna fight for it believe you me.  With friends and family like you guys there is just no stopping me and at least I won't have to marry that chewy guy Don.  LOL

I'm no good with laundry. ;)

Svenn it is not over till the Bull is dead and I'm gonna grab him by the b@...tooshie first. [smiley=winkkiss.gif]
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by BarbaraD on May 2nd, 2006, 4:19pm
Hey Jazz -- watch the tooshies.... that's my department...  ;)

Keep up the good work kid.... you'll make it to America yet - if we have to come get ya...

Hugs BD
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Sandy_C on May 2nd, 2006, 5:02pm
Wow Jas, what a load of garbage you have to go through just to come here.  I am sorry, I had no idea.  If you need more information, since you are going to be my roommie, I'll be happy to change the hotel reservations to both our names, send confirmations to you, along with MY driver's license if necessary.  Let me know.

Meet ya in Milwaukee with flowers  because you had so much difficulty in getting here.

Sandy
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by jimmers on May 2nd, 2006, 9:33pm
Jaz,

Why don't you just take a trip to Mexico and then just walk across into the US! No one will say anything ;;D

Seeya at the Convention,

Jimmers
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Dragnlance on May 2nd, 2006, 9:35pm
Jaz,
If you need more help, let me know what I can do.

Lance
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Lizzie2 on May 3rd, 2006, 12:00am
Do you have to have a Visa just to come for the convention or wouldn't a passport suffice?  Or is a passport a strictly American thing and I'm just clueless?

I have my passport application form sitting on my desk, and I need to get it filled out because we all know the government isn't the swiftest with getting anything done, and I'm planning on going to England in FOUR months!!!

Anyways...thought the Visa was for longer stays than for a short trip.  Like work visa, 3 month visa, etc...unless you are planning on sticking around and visiting clusterhead to clusterhead all around the US?  That would be da bomb.   ;;D

Luv,
Carrie :)
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by blossom on May 3rd, 2006, 12:22am
Holy cow!  I nearly pee'd myself reading that one... sorry to laugh but good Lord.  What a crazy world we live in.  Hope to see you in Milwaukee!

Karen
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Richr8 on May 3rd, 2006, 12:40am
Dang!  Your the woman!  Looking forward to meeting you.

God luck!
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Charlie on May 3rd, 2006, 3:10am
http://www.kolobok.wrg.ru/smiles/madhouse/telephone.gif?SSImageQuality=Full http://fool.exler.ru/sm/out.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

You know; I'm usually not one to long for the good old days but after reading Jaz's story, I'd like to spend a few days in 1962. I suppose it might make me feel worse. How wonderful the future was to be.....

Anyway, let me know what I can do. No drivers license but it might be interesting in a masochistic sort of way to deal with the airheads employed in the Land of the Free's behalf. http://www.smileygenerator.us/community/style_images/smiley-111/atb_search.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

Charlie
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Jasmyn on May 3rd, 2006, 3:36am
Thanks to all of you for the help offered.  [smiley=hug.gif] If I fail with the info I already have on the 16th, I'll contact you and ask you to vouch for me.

Carrie, you need a passport to cross any border into another country.  A visa is not always required by some countries, if you stay 30 days or less, but the USA is not one of those countries.

It also depends from which country you come to visit and the political, religious and economical situation of your country.
Title: Re: It is not that easy to get into America
Post by Lizzie2 on May 3rd, 2006, 10:03am

on 05/03/06 at 03:36:44, Jasmyn wrote:
It also depends from which country you come to visit and the political, religious and economical situation of your country.


Heh heh....how could I have been so naive to have forgotten that part of it?  D'oh!

Well - I'm certainly hoping that you get your visa without hassle!!  You've had plenty of offers, but if you do need more help, I'm here, too!

I won't be making it to the convention, so I'm sad that I won't get to meet you!!  :(

Maybe someday I'll travel to Africa, although for right now, my doctor has said no to foreign travel for me....except to England.  
;;D

Hugz,
Carrie :)


Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.