[pikey]

I am going to Orlando in May and have filled out the Visa Waiver Program on line application and have come across a problem.

Part of the application asks the following question:-

Do you have a communicable disease; physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?

I have answered NO to this question even though I am paraplegic.

How would you answer it?

[edlee]

I don't know, Pikey,,, But I think I would have to consider SCI as a physical disorder. Might not be politically correct,, but then,, I seldom am that.

What is this Visa waiver?? Immigration problems or credit card problems???
ed

[Smudge]

I've always answered 'no' on the old paper system that you used to be given on the planes, without any problems whatsover, and I will put 'no' when I use the online system for my trip in July.

Only problem I had was last year was when the imigration/homeland security officer could not angle the camera down low enough to take a the required photo

Smudge

[pikey]

Thank you for your replies.

I have no intention of calling a premium rate number to explain my disability to the American Embassy as answering yes to the question would force me to do.

I will let you know Smudge if I have any problems when I get off the plane.

[russ1]

If you read the online explanation notes you'll see that that NO is the correct response for those with a SCI! What's more annoying is that you'll still have to fill in the paper form on the plane !!!

[graphic]

I've always said 'no' and have never had any problems, always found the US staff to be most helpful...even got a joke out of the guy on immigration last year! Enjoy your holiday Pikey....all that warm sunshine
edlee, the Visa Waiver Program is a system some foreign visitor can use to visit the US without the need for a visa. By using the waiver one's allowed to stay for up to 90 days (if one can afford to, lol). I believe it might end soon, in which case I think everyone would have to visit the US embassy in London to apply for a visa in person. Shame if this comes about as it would be very inconvenient and add considerably to the cost of a holiday.
I wish I was going to Florida next month

[HiltonP]

The whole visa thing makes no sense to me . . .

If I wish to go to Disney USA for a week’s holiday I need to buy a special phone card (at 50x the normal call rate) which gives me 8 minutes of time, with this I need to make an appointment, complete their whole application form, provide 3 months of bank statements, proof of minimum funds, proof of employment, proof of income, proof of insurance, photos, and a doctors letter. If I’m unlucky enough to be self-employed I need to also provide 3 months records of all my business finances. I, and anyone else travelling with me (including infants) then need to go to the embassy for one-on-one interviews.

If I wish to travel within the Commonwealth (particularly Canada or Oz) in addition to the above I need to provide proof of every single night’s accommodation, or if I’m staying with friends/family proof of their address and a letter from them accepting responsibility for me.

On the other hand . . . if I’m from Lesotho (a dictatorship, with the lowest GDP in Africa, and the highest HIV infection, and un-employment, rate) I can walk in without any papers.

If that makes any sense please tell me? . . .

This post has been edited by HiltonP: 15 April 2009 - 01:05 PM

[Travelling Blackbird]

pikey, on Apr 10 2009, 05:10 PM, said:

I am going to Orlando in May and have filled out the Visa Waiver Program on line application and have come across a problem.

Part of the application asks the following question:-

Do you have a communicable disease; physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?

I have answered NO to this question even though I am paraplegic.

How would you answer it?

The answer is no. I have traveled to the US every year for the past 6, and I answer NO every time, and have never been challenged on it. SCI is not considered a physical or mental disorder under the terms of the visa waiver program.

HiltonP, where are you from? The whole visa thing is all to do with how respective governments deal with each other. Countries negotiate deals with each other, and make arrangements based on a you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours system.

[HiltonP]

Travelling Blackbird, on Apr 17 2009, 12:24 AM, said:

HiltonP, where are you from? The whole visa thing is all to do with how respective governments deal with each other. Countries negotiate deals with each other, and make arrangements based on a you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours system.

I'm from South Africa.

Yes, I understand the whole back scratching thing, which is precisely why I cannot fathom some of the visa requirements. What back scratching are countries like Lesotho, Swaziland and Ireland (to name a few) doing to justify their favoured status? All three come pretty low down on any political, social and economic measured scale.

SA's no shining light, but by comparison it's a positive laser beam!