Vv For The Usa

[Prakanong2005]

I doubt this is a goer but here goes.

Just got an email from my best pal this morning inviting me and the Missus (only Buddha wedding) to his wedding on the beach in California on 29th July.

I am a UK citizen resident in another EU country.

I am intending on doing the amphur bit on the 21st July myself (if I take the Singapore job - 99% chance I am)

As we will also be in the midlle of Employment Pass and Dependents pass to Singapore at the time I am not going to chance the hassle of a USA application for the Mrs if I know its 99.9% chance of it being turned down.

She will not have a job then due to the likely imminent move to Singapore so I can not see it worht it going through the motions for a near certain refusal.

[the scouser]

My visceral instinct is yes, it would be difficult. However, there's a line of thought which says that you won't know unless you try. I do think that your wife would have an advantage over those sponsored by an American, as you would be on holiday too, rather than returning to your native country. However, the American embassies do seem to pigeonhole people even more so than the Brits, and if your wife fell in to a "malafide" category, then, irrespective of her circumstances, she just wouldn't get the visa.

Scouse.

[Prakanong2005]

Scouse - this bit is my thoughts exactly as I do not like to give up without a fight and I know the Mrs would just love to attend even though she will not say so and just say "Alai gadai"

"However, there's a line of thought which says that you won't know unless you try"

I will wait and see if we are moving to Singapore and decide if there is time to fly to LA for 3 or 4 nights.

Its funny as I missed this guy's first wedding 15 years ago (he has not learned anything then ;-0 ).

He married his then Japanese wife while she was on a Tourist Visa and the home Office were not happy - he was just entering the Fast Stream of the Diplomatic Corp then.

He is a First Secretary now and up for 2nd I think or whatever the next stage is..

[vinny]

Rank of First Secretary is above Second Secretary, which is above Third Secretary. It's in reverse order. See KI Diplomatic Corps Ranking System, oops, wrong planet. See Diplomatic rank.

[Prakanong2005]

Maybe he is just going for the next grade.

Without wishing to identify him he got First Secretary pretty youngish I think for the FCO.

I remember seeing his ugly mug on the BBC News with Tony Blair and the PM of the country he was posted to at the opening of a British Centre there.

Edited May 16, 2006 by Prakanong2005

[Carmine6]

Just a question. Other than the document collection, time and other hassles, would there be a down side to applying and being turned down? For example, would the UK immigration folks then look at the stamp in the passport and have some kind of viceral reaction. "Oh, she's been turned down by the US. Well she's not getting in here either."

[the scouser]

...would the UK immigration folks then look at the stamp in the passport and have some kind of viceral reaction. "Oh, she's been turned down by the US. Well she's not getting in here either."

They'd certainly want to know why she'd been refused a visa for the US.

Scouse.

[Prakanong2005]

Good point Carmine - I had never thought of that.

I think with Scousers reply to you it puts an end to the slim chance of us even bothering to apply.

I have promised her a holiday in the UK in 2007 if we are living in Singapore and the USa the year after.

I think doing it in that order will stand us in much better stead for both the UK and the USA then as there will be evidence of other travel and maybe even PR status in Singapore.

[Prakanong2005]

Hmmm Seems he has got the next move - his next post is as Deputy Ambassador and it seems a pal of his I have met is posted to Singapore - might be handy

Edited May 17, 2006 by Prakanong2005