Immigration experiences in the USA after visiting Iran?

[samh004]

Which thread is that Aisleseat?

It would be this one (I presume).

 

[YSSY]

I hold a B1/B2 (renewed at the US Embassy in Oman) and have travelled to Libya, Syria, Iran and Yemen but haven't had any issues, so its really look of the drawer. ESTA is out of the question for me unfortunately because that would probably be rejected. I also hold two British passports and this never caused me any hassle, however once I obtain my Australian passport next year I'll not need the second British passport.
For administrative processing, I've seen this take 10 months for a colleague and you have absolutely no way of speeding it up.

 

[JohnM]

For administrative processing, I've seen this take 10 months for a colleague and you have absolutely no way of speeding it up.

Could you please clarify what 'this' was that took 10 months?

 

[mad_atta]

I visited Iran in 2012 (yes *before* this ridiculous US rule change was announced... but unfortunately not early enough to avoid the period that the rule covers). I just last week obtained a 10 year combined business/visitor visa for the US. As others have said, it wasn't particularly difficult, just tedious and time consuming. It helps that I work 2 minutes walk from the US consulate, so getting there for an interview wasn't too inconvenient, and by scheduling it for early in the day I was in and out in about 45 minutes. I was also surprised by how little wait there was to schedule an appointment, with the first free timeslots only about a week away. I'm sure I remember MUCH longer lead times in the past when going for US work visas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds like you had an easier experience than me; which Consulate? I could only get an interview at Melbourne 1 month after finishing on-line paperwork and when I thought I might have to re-schedule 3 weeks into the wait, the next available interview slot was still a month away.

Arrived Melbourne consulate 15 mins before 10am appointment as requested. Queue to check in 5 mins; queue for security 15 mins; next queue for next stage 20 people, 45 mins; next queue for ' interview' 15 Mins. Get to booth for interview 1 hour after appointment time. Interview takes 5 mins. Visa approved. Delivered back to me in Tasmania in three days.

I was told by the security guy that the waits were typical for Melbourne. An 'appointment' isn't your exclusive time - effectively the 'mid morning session'.

 

[tm.smile]

I visited Iran last October for a few days with some friends because of a cheap fare with Air Asia.

On my return, I submitted some of the paper work and photo for the B1/B2 visa online and did the interview at the US consulate in Sydney. The whole process ran rather smoothly and my interview lasted all of a few mins (why did I go to Iran, what did I plan to do in the US etc). From arriving to leaving, I was there for about 45mins. I got my passport back by courier a few days later. I had the option of a 2 year visa or 5. I chose 5. You are ineligible for ESTA for 5 years. While I was there another guy was there also applying for a visa as he too had been to Iran.

I travelled to Colorado and New York in Dec/Jan (both times coming in from the Canadian side). I didn’t have any issues at border control other than a few interested questions about why I would want to go to Iran.

I really enjoyed my time in Tehran and would love to go back to explore more of the country given the opportunity. I am off to the States again in two weeks. While a little more apprehensive about entering the US this time since Trump has become president, I survived entering Israel few months ago with an Iran visa and a Lebanese stamp. Can’t be as bad as that right?