Visa's and the Volcano
Apr 18, 2010 | 5:08 am
#16
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I've just come across this piece of information, with reference to the US
DHS has been closely monitoring the air travel situation resulting from the Icelandic volcano eruption and understands the cancellation of flights and closure of European airports may put some of your citizens at risk of entering into overstay status, through no fault of their own. Remedies are available to individuals about to exceed the authorized stay as a direct result of these closures under both the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and with a visa.
At airports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may grant Satisfactory Departure for a traveler whose VWP admission is expiring and who is unable to depart timely as a result of airport closures or flight delays/cancellations. If the stranded traveler is not at an airport but elsewhere in the country, the traveler may apply for Satisfactory Departure from the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. If granted, Satisfactory Departure allows the VWP traveler to stay in the United States legally for an additional 30 days. If the beneficiary leaves within that period, he or she will not be considered to have overstayed. Both agencies have provided their staff with guidance on the applicable legal authorities under the VWP in circumstances such as this.
Persons traveling under a visa should contact the nearest USCIS office and follow the instructions by clicking here. While this link recommends initiating the process 45 days in advance, U.S. CIS is providing reminder guidance on how to handle such cases this weekend. A directory of local USCIS offices can be found at: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?ac...office_type=LO
At airports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may grant Satisfactory Departure for a traveler whose VWP admission is expiring and who is unable to depart timely as a result of airport closures or flight delays/cancellations. If the stranded traveler is not at an airport but elsewhere in the country, the traveler may apply for Satisfactory Departure from the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. If granted, Satisfactory Departure allows the VWP traveler to stay in the United States legally for an additional 30 days. If the beneficiary leaves within that period, he or she will not be considered to have overstayed. Both agencies have provided their staff with guidance on the applicable legal authorities under the VWP in circumstances such as this.
Persons traveling under a visa should contact the nearest USCIS office and follow the instructions by clicking here. While this link recommends initiating the process 45 days in advance, U.S. CIS is providing reminder guidance on how to handle such cases this weekend. A directory of local USCIS offices can be found at: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?ac...office_type=LO
Apr 18, 2010 | 5:56 am
#17
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It's not incompetence, nor is it ill will -- it's typical bureaucratic mentality and paranoia. Nothing unique there either, as this kind of thing is playing around the world -- Canada, US, Europe, Australia, etc.
Apr 18, 2010 | 6:17 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
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The immigration issues for many could be tough to unravel. For example, many EU countries have an 89 day rule for US citizens with no visa, plus they also are part of the Schenegen accord under which non-EU citizens can only stay in the Schenegen zone (meaning all of the countries which are party to the agreement) for 90 of any 180 days.
A lot of people plan their travel to stay within these rules but with only a few days margin of error. Even if the governmental agencies grant waivers at some point, I imagine those in this circumstance will be dealing with paperwork for some time to come.
Last edited by Mountain Trader; Apr 18, 2010 at 6:35 am
Apr 18, 2010 | 9:06 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2003
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UPDATE:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13798756-post96.html
Last edited by Rampo; Apr 19, 2010 at 8:22 am Reason: more recent information
Apr 18, 2010 | 6:21 pm
#20
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Not that it affects me (luckily!), but I was wondering what happens with countries such as the US, which require a visa to enter.
If you were coming up to the end of the stay, and due to the closure of Northern Europe airspace, had to stay on, would there be problems when then leaving the country?
I've had a search around, but can't seem to find any information on it, and am curious.
Any pointers/information from people would be welcomed!
If you were coming up to the end of the stay, and due to the closure of Northern Europe airspace, had to stay on, would there be problems when then leaving the country?
I've had a search around, but can't seem to find any information on it, and am curious.
Any pointers/information from people would be welcomed!
Delays beyond the traveler's control, such as cancelled or delayed flights, medical emergencies requiring a doctor's care, etc. are not considered unauthorized overstays, however, you will need to bring proof of the cause of your overstay next time you travel to the U.S. in order for it to be forgiven. For airline delays, ask the airline for a letter affirming the delay or a copy of your cancelled boarding pass.
Apr 18, 2010 | 6:52 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Colleague Stuck in frankfurt Airport
I have a colleague stuck in the Frankfurt airport. he is Indian and contends that he is unable to leave the airport or book another flight to the US. He should have a Visa to work in US and a now cancled flight ticket. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Apr 19, 2010 | 2:34 am
#22
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I'm going to move this over into the Travelbuzz! forum, where the members there might be able to help with how to resolve the Visa issue.
Although your colleague is stuck in Frankfurt, it seems the greater problem is the Visa issue, or I'd move it into the Germany forum
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Although your colleague is stuck in Frankfurt, it seems the greater problem is the Visa issue, or I'd move it into the Germany forum
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Apr 19, 2010 | 3:47 am
#23
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Welcome to flyertalk bbelass. Your colleague has not many options. Since the airspace is still closed due to the volcanic ash no flights will leave from Frankfurt today. As an Indian citizen your colleague needs a visa to enter Germany and the Schengen area. German authorities don't care if your colleague has a work visa for the US or even a Green Card.
The only thing your colleague is to get in contact with his airline to get some help from them but even they can't do much.
The only thing your colleague is to get in contact with his airline to get some help from them but even they can't do much.
Apr 19, 2010 | 6:29 am
#24
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Don't risk doing this and just expecting that CBP won't care next time you try to enter. Go to the CBP office at the nearest airport or the nearest USCIS office and try and get them to give you official permission to leave later.
They seem to have been authorized to offer VWP travellers "satisfactory departure" if they leave within 30 days after their 90 day limit, but it's not automatic: it seems they need to stamp or write something on your I94-W receipt.
Similar measures seem to be available for visa holders, but for them it's easier anyway to apply for an extension of status through USCIS. But again, it must be done actively and not just assumed to have been granted.
They seem to have been authorized to offer VWP travellers "satisfactory departure" if they leave within 30 days after their 90 day limit, but it's not automatic: it seems they need to stamp or write something on your I94-W receipt.
Similar measures seem to be available for visa holders, but for them it's easier anyway to apply for an extension of status through USCIS. But again, it must be done actively and not just assumed to have been granted.
Apr 19, 2010 | 8:21 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
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A visa update for those stuck in Thailand:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13798756-post96.html
The gist: with the proper documentation, overstay fees will be waived until April 30 for those with canceled flights.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13798756-post96.html
The gist: with the proper documentation, overstay fees will be waived until April 30 for those with canceled flights.
Apr 19, 2010 | 9:40 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2006
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UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband was making clear on Sunday that British Consular officials were on hand to assist with Visa Issues (it's what they should do anyway, but good that this point was clarified).
Apr 19, 2010 | 1:27 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
I am currently staying in NYC on a 90-days visa (Visa Waiver) which expires tomorrow. Was supposed to leave yesterday, but obviously my flight was cancelled. I've talked to my own embassy over here, and they told me to look at this:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...00082ca60aRCRD
I called the USCIS offices, and 3 different people there told me to film out the I-539 form to extend my stay, even though you usually can't do that when travelling under the Visa Waiver program. It cost me 300 dollars to do so, and now several other websites tells me that it might not be necessary. This is so ridiculous.
Anyone who filled out the form as well?
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...00082ca60aRCRD
I called the USCIS offices, and 3 different people there told me to film out the I-539 form to extend my stay, even though you usually can't do that when travelling under the Visa Waiver program. It cost me 300 dollars to do so, and now several other websites tells me that it might not be necessary. This is so ridiculous.
Anyone who filled out the form as well?
Apr 19, 2010 | 4:15 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Hmmm... Do countries requisition space on airliners to deport persons who have overstayed their visas? What would be the effect if that happened on the next operating flights after the dust cloud cleared and the airports reopened?
I kinda think you should have procrastinated on this, unless you were bent on leaving the airport and going sightseeing and otherwise enjoying yourself.
I kinda think you should have procrastinated on this, unless you were bent on leaving the airport and going sightseeing and otherwise enjoying yourself.
Apr 20, 2010 | 3:20 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2003
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317 passengers given on-the-spot visa
Dutch authorities have issued 317 visas to passengers who were stranded at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/6...l?sn=reiskrant
This seems to be standard operating procedure: when an Indonesian friend of mine was stranded at AMS without a visa a few years ago (normal bad weather delay) he was issued a visa on the spot with minimal hassle and could spend the night at my place.
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/6...l?sn=reiskrant
This seems to be standard operating procedure: when an Indonesian friend of mine was stranded at AMS without a visa a few years ago (normal bad weather delay) he was issued a visa on the spot with minimal hassle and could spend the night at my place.
Apr 20, 2010 | 4:19 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Non-EU national airline crew who fly into the UK are ordinarily permitted to remain 7 days without inspection under a "Section 8 exemption". Our airline has 14 crewmembers currently in the UK and are working closely with UKBA as the first 7 crewmembers will exceed their limits on Tuesday. Due to the UK elections, none of the UKBA people are particularly keen to relax the regulations until they absolutely have to, but its not like they can really deport them either. We shall see on Tuesday I guess.