No more USA for me...

parel jam

I've totally had it getting to the USA. I've been there twice so far and last year was my last time ever.

In 2004 I had to get a visa for exchange visitors in Amsterdam. They had let me come three times to the consulate here in my country. The first day the consulate was closed (and by that time you did not had to make an appointment when you're a student). There was nothing written on the website that the consulate was closed. So I was pretty angry. A week later I went back (on 5 Sep) and had to stand in line again. After that, the security guys refused many people in the Consulate. What was the problem? Well, since 1 Sep students also had to make an appointment by calling a local number and pay 15 EUROS!! So, they refused me again to enter the building. I left Amsterdam again really angry and sad. Luckily, 2 weeks later I had an appointment and finally got my visa (still it was hard to get one).

After that I had a great time in the USA. In 8 months I completed my Master's in Florida and seen the country from Seattle to LA, from New Orleans to NYC. Met really nice American citizens and also some short-sighted people who can't discuss politics and are very ignorant. But the majority seem to be really good.

In Oct 2005 I was invited to give a presentation at a big conference somewhere in Virginia. My flight was from Paris to the USA. In Paris I had to get to US customs security guys. The picked me out of the line and questioned me over 30 minutes. I was like? Me? What did I do? Everybody was looking at me if I was a terrostist or whatever. The checked my passport, double-checked my passport, asked me for another ID, triple-checked my passport, questioned me, asked me for another ID, questioned me, and in the end, checked my passport again. Finally I was able to enter the plane. Furthermore, I had a great week in Virginia...it was nice to be back in the States.

What happened last week? A University in Florida invited me to get back to work on a publication of my Master's thesis. I had an appointment at the consulate again for another visa. In summary, they refused to give me a visa because there were some money problems on a form I received from the university in Florida. They told me I had 15 minutes to find myself an internetbar in Amsterdam and pay the fee by credit card. Those clerks are really not cooperative in getting people visas. There was a debet card machine (I don't know the English word) and I had a credit card with me. "No sir, you cannot pay here, you'll have to go". In the end security guys were pushing me outside the consulate (althought pretty kindly). I left Amsterdam again really angry, sad, and disappointed.

Furthermore, what is happening with all that Patriot Act? I've flown many times in the US. You cannot have lighters on you when boarding the flight (sorry, my bad habit is smoking). You almost have to strip getting through security, even handicapped old ladies in weelchairs (I've seen it!!). What are they thinking? Why are they scaring everybody the hell out?

I found out that the Berlin wall is not been vanished in 1989. No, they moved it to the USA. There is a big, big wall around the country. And people from overseas have to find their little hole to get into the USA.

In the meantime American touristic places (such as Disneyland) are complaining that there are less tourists (other than US) are getting to them and they lose income...I wonder why...

No, in the future I will discover the Europe and the rest of the world and leave the USA aside. It's such a pity.

I really liked going to a baseball game, basketball game, football game, driving on the interstates, going to the Everglades, drinking at Mardi Gras, walking around in NYC, seeing National Parks in Arizona and Utah, walking through Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco and L.A. and seeing really good underground bands over there...

Too bad I have to miss all that...

Jammin909

It will hopefully ease up with time. I have heard many complaints from Western Europeans about this. A French friend of mine who didn’t have some new required paperwork or something wasn’t allowed to leave the airport- they made him fly back to Paris. It's a shame because we have no problem entering your countries.

A lot of new American policies are counterproductive and only alienate friends and allies while inciting more hate and contempt. We have a big election coming up next month that should help to put us back on the right track.

lgt

What a coincidence! I was actually checking my passport to see whether it is still ok, after Oct. 26 and the new regulations.

I was thinking of going but would hate to be turned around at the gate!!

Yes, I have been to the States before and never had a problem. I have an Italian passport and Italy is part of the Visa Waiver Program.

However, after 26/10/06 you must obtain a Visa if your passport is not machine readable or is not digital.

Plus, flights to the USA from the UK still sound like a nightmare with a lot of restrictions, imposed since this summer latest terrorist scare (no water, cosmetics, 1 small piece of hand-luggage)... I wonder if you're allowed to carry a book.

Parel Jam, why did you need a visa to enter the USA? isn't The Netherlands also part of the Visa Waiver programme?

Do you have an old passport?

Collin

lgt wrote:

What a coincidence! I was actually checking my passport to see whether it is still ok, after Oct. 26 and the new regulations.

I was thinking of going but would hate to be turned around at the gate!!

Yes, I have been to the States before and never had a problem. I have an Italian passport and Italy is part of the Visa Waiver Program.

However, after 26/10/06 you must obtain a Visa if your passport is not machine readable or is not digital.

Plus, flights to the USA from the UK still sound like a nightmare with a lot of restrictions, imposed since this summer latest terrorist scare (no water, cosmetics, 1 small piece of hand-luggage)... I wonder if you're allowed to carry a book.

Parel Jam, why did you need a visa to enter the USA? isn't The Netherlands also part of the Visa Waiver programme?

Do you have an old passport?

With the Visa Waiver programme you can only stay 30 days, I think.

I think my new passport was about €80 or maybe even 90.

parel jam

lgt wrote:

Parel Jam, why did you need a visa to enter the USA? isn't The Netherlands also part of the Visa Waiver programme?

Do you have an old passport?

No, my passport is valid until 2009. I need a visa because the plan is (was) to work at a university in Florida for 7 weeks. Therefor the university had to pay me...

parel jam

Collin wrote:

With the Visa Waiver programme you can only stay 30 days, I think.

90 days is what I know. If you want to stay longer you will need a tourist visa.

parel jam

Jammin909 wrote:

I have heard many complaints from Western Europeans about this.

I worked in the Everglades from Oct 2004 - Jun 2005. My supervisor had over 30 Dutch students since 1989 to work with him in the Everglades. He also noticed that since a couple of years Dutch interns start having troubles with getting a visa... I am not the only one who's experiencing this bureaucratic nonsense...

Those clerks are just machines working over there. They don't know such thing as helping the people who first paid 15 EUROS to get an appointment, and after that paid 85 EUROS just for applying the visa. To me, it's quite a lot money to get to a country...

See it for yourself at: http://thehague.usembassy.gov/how_to_apply2.html

know1

I guess there are never any bureaucratic, red-tape hassles in the eutopia that is Europe?!

parel jam

know1 wrote:

I guess there are never any bureaucratic, red-tape hassles in the eutopia that is Europe?!

Thanks for cheering me up and generalizing the topic

Jammin909

know1 wrote:

I guess there are never any bureaucratic, red-tape hassles in the eutopia that is Europe?!

I'm sure there is- but they shouldnt have to deal with all this shit when they want to come for a visit. We can just show up at the gate, it's stamped 5 seconds later and we are finished. Should be the same both ways(which I guess it still is- you just need the new digital passport).

darkcrow

i feel for u dude. last year I was in canada for around a month. I had a week spare so i decided to take the greyhound to NYC and Washington DC. Everything was fine until i got to the border. Everyone had a few questiions asked of them but otherwise were sent on their way quite quickly. when it came to me the guy asked me all kinds of shit, kept loooking at my passport expecting it to be fake. then they decided they needed to rummage through my rucksack. everyone else opened theirs but the guys were not too bothered. me? well they took a good 30 mins pulling everything out and searching each item as if it were laden with C4. then there were more questions... am i realy english? why am i here? why nyc? why washington dc? where do i go to university? what do i study? why do i study that......... it was a fucking joke. the only reason i can see why they did that was becuase i was the only brown person on the coach.

i hope you guys sort all this racial stuff out. i was really excited to go to NYC but that border incident really pissed me off. also the looks, attitudes etc i got from NYC'ers was disgusting. i felt like i was a lepper

parel jam

darkcrow wrote:

i feel for u dude. last year I was in canada for around a month. I had a week spare so i decided to take the greyhound to NYC and Washington DC. Everything was fine until i got to the border. Everyone had a few questiions asked of them but otherwise were sent on their way quite quickly. when it came to me the guy asked me all kinds of shit, kept loooking at my passport expecting it to be fake. then they decided they needed to rummage through my rucksack. everyone else opened theirs but the guys were not too bothered. me? well they took a good 30 mins pulling everything out and searching each item as if it were laden with C4. then there were more questions... am i realy english? why am i here? why nyc? why washington dc? where do i go to university? what do i study? why do i study that......... it was a fucking joke. the only reason i can see why they did that was becuase i was the only brown person on the coach.

i hope you guys sort all this racial stuff out. i was really excited to go to NYC but that border incident really pissed me off. also the looks, attitudes etc i got from NYC'ers was disgusting. i felt like i was a lepper

Maybe that's the same thing for me. I look more like a Mediterranean than a regular Dutch guy...I'm slightly more tanned than a regular Dutch citizen. It's ridiculous...

bubbamackdaddy69

I usually have no problems at all getting there..maybe because I'm canadian ? May help? not sure.. Everytime I've driven accross the border or flown to the US haven't had too much trouble..Yes..the lighter thing for me too..but oh well...I'll buy another one when I land for 50cents..
I guess I've been pretty lucky..
The worst thing was driving to my parents who live in Florida for the winter..At the border they stopped us and questioned us for about at least and hour and searched my car fully..even on the hoist... other than that not too bad
usually I get in with a drivers license and birth certificate

Gary Carter

darkcrow wrote:

i hope you guys sort all this racial stuff out. i was really excited to go to NYC but that border incident really pissed me off. also the looks, attitudes etc i got from NYC'ers was disgusting. i felt like i was a lepper

thats just nyc'ers being themselves,i get looked at all the time.people judge other people so much in nyc.i just go on my way and dont bother with them.sad u had to be searched like that at the border

GO!!!

Enjoy Europe man, there is enough to see and discover in the Old World I think. Maybe in a few years time you can get more easily in the US although I doubt it. This is exactly the reason why I stay in europe, because I don't want to be treated like some kind of terrorist, I'm also from holland btw. I saw that you've been at the Arnhem show, well you've heard how negative Ed was about the US in general and bush, that means we're not the only ones.

Groeten

PaperPlates

Don't let the door hitcha where the lord splitcha.

SweetHarmonics

^ profound


But it seems like the main problem is with the government employees, they are most times on some power trip through their little BS job. Terrible situation that seems to be hopelessly broken, kind of like the gov't itself.

DinghyDog

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parel jam

DinghyDog wrote:

i understand increased security is necessary, but i think a lot of people are put off of visiting america because of the hassles involved. i used to really want to go visit, but have no real desire anymore, coupled with the whole prejudiced visa process, don't think i will be visiting any time soon.

That's exactly how I see it...I don't want to do the VISA-process over again. It's just a waste of time and money...

catefrances

thanks guys. i am just about to go through this whole US visa rigmarole. i know i'm not a threat but somehow i doubt i'll be packing, let alone wearing my antiflag tshirt.

evenkat

parel jam wrote:

Maybe that's the same thing for me. I look more like a Mediterranean than a regular Dutch guy...I'm slightly more tanned than a regular Dutch citizen. It's ridiculous...

I wouldn't give up because if you do you are letting them get away with it.

lgt

parel jam wrote:

No, my passport is valid until 2009. I need a visa because the plan is (was) to work at a university in Florida for 7 weeks. Therefor the university had to pay me...

Oh, I see. I will be going as a tourist to visit a friend. My passport is valid until 2008 and I think it is machine readable, but I guess it's worth calling the embassy to check.

What a hassle.

If it wasn't for my friend, I would not be going right now.

parel jam

lgt wrote:

Oh, I see. I will be going as a tourist to visit a friend. My passport is valid until 2008 and I think it is machine readable, but I guess it's worth calling the embassy to check.

What a hassle.

If it wasn't for my friend, I would not be going right now.

Calling the consulate in Amsterdam will cost 15 euros (about 10 pounds)...even if you just have a tiny question. My advice: check their website in the UK.

The Waiting Trophy Man

i'm afraid to cross the border, just in case they decide to build a wall and not let me come back.

lgt

parel jam wrote:

Calling the consulate in Amsterdam will cost 15 euros (about 10 pounds)...even if you just have a tiny question. My advice: check their website in the UK.

I did check the website both for the UK and Italy (I am an Italian national currently in London), but was thinking as precaution to call the US embassy here to see what they say about the new/old passports. I think my passport is in order (expiry in 2008), but after hearing of people being turned around at the airport, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I am surprised you had to pay to call the consulate!

I'll let you know if I have to pay here too.

parel jam

lgt wrote:

I did check the website both for the UK and Italy (I am an Italian national currently in London), but was thinking as precaution to call the US embassy here to see what they say about the new/old passports. I think my passport is in order (expiry in 2008), but after hearing of people being turned around at the airport, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I am surprised you had to pay to call the consulate!

I'll let you know if I have to pay here too.

If you're really have bad luck, they let you go to the Italian office...hope that wil not occur to you...

parel jam

SweetHarmonics wrote:

^ profound


But it seems like the main problem is with the government employees, they are most times on some power trip through their little BS job.

Nice way of saying it: power trippin' in Amsterdam.

lgt

parel jam wrote:

If you're really have bad luck, they let you go to the Italian office...hope that wil not occur to you...

I just spent over £30 on the phone with the US embassy... it does not look I need a Visa. Hopefully, I will not be deported upon my arrival on US soil!!

redrock

And you think you have hassles!!!! I let the renewal of my american passport lapse a bit (OK.. a couple of years...) because I didn't need it and couldn't be bothered. But recently, decided I should get it renewed just to have it should I need to travel there in an emergency..... OMG!!! Went there with all my papers, american dollars, etc.. thought it would be quick.. but....
what a hassle. Was given the third degree about why I hadn't renewed it (unpatriotic of me.. those were the words used), also, having had to be 'high security cleared' for the MOD when I worked on a project with them a few years ago (I was in management consultancy), that was on record... "what were you doing with a foreign government...?" UNBELIEVABLE!

Guess what? I packed my papers, packed my dollars and said forget it.... left without a renewed passport... I was soooo pissed off!

parel jam

redrock wrote:

Guess what? I packed my papers, packed my dollars and said forget it.... left without a renewed passport... I was soooo pissed off!

Yup, I can totally understand it...and now what? Still living in London?

caifan82

Just be glad you don't live here. My company has tried to send me to 2 conferences in the US... well, I've had my visa request rejected twice because apparently there are not enough guarantees that I would be coming back here...
I just stopped trying... Had a great time in Canada last year though!