US Visa/ETSA if you worked in black listed countries

[Ruskie]

Has anyone been through the process of visiting the embassy before a trip to the US to have an interview? I have worked in some countries that invalidate the normal ETSA. Whilst in employment I had a second ‘clean’ passport but had to hand it in when I left.

It looks nightmare to sort, appointment in London on a certain day but only released occasionally and in demand.

Just wondering if it’s as bad as it sounds?

If I renew my passport early would this be wiped? The difficulty with that is I don’t want to risk it and get pulled!

[gotoPzero]

Username checks out. GL!

[Guyr]

My business partner had this, he'd been to Somalia on a business trip, which is black-listed.

As noted, if you've been to a blacklisted country you cannot apply for an ESTA (Visa-Waiver), so have to go for an interview at the US Embassy, where they want to know why you where there (take lots of proof of the legitimate reasons for doing so). The interviews are always booked well in advance, but the advantage is that you then get a full 10 year visitors Visa.

[Ruskie]

Guyr said:

My business partner had this, he'd been to Somalia on a business trip, which is black-listed.

As noted, if you've been to a blacklisted country you cannot apply for an ESTA (Visa-Waiver), so have to go for an interview at the US Embassy, where they want to know why you where there (take lots of proof of the legitimate reasons for doing so). The interviews are always booked well in advance, but the advantage is that you then get a full 10 year visitors Visa.

Thank you, Somalia is indeed on my list amongst others. How was the process of getting an appointment? When I looked it was challenging.

[Junglebert]

You’re worrying over nothing, it’s a perfectly straightforward process, and once you’ve done it, you’re good for ten years.

[nyt]

The process itself is simple, but you are not allowed to take any electronice devices into the embassy (phones etc).
There is nowhere to store/leave them so it's awkward if you're alone.

• Note, that this was my experience 5 years ago, things may have changed

[nvubu]

My daughter had her US university visa interview last year - just checked with her and she was allowed her phone.