Here's the plan:

I ship my bike to the USA in January, spend 12 months touring (PCH to Arctic Circle, Canada etc etc) then, in early 2005, move on to NZ for 3 months, then Oz for 6 months.

I have a US Visa in an expired passport (B1/B2, Multiple Entries, Valid -Indefinitely) This was issued in Belize in 1988. I today found out that ‘Indefinitely’ means for 10 years from issue. Bugger.

No problem, I’ll call the (£1.30 per min) US Embassy Visa helpline. It seems there is no way of getting a Visa which will last longer than 6 months in any year. I asked if it made any difference if I went into Canada and then applied to come back in - no (except that, if the Visa I was issued with was 'Single Entry', I wouldn't be allowed back in at all!).

Furthermore, when I first arrived in the USA, despite what my Visa might say (eg 6 months), the immigration officer could reduce this as he saw fit – there is no way of knowing before I set out on my trip whether this will happen.

So I’m a bit knackered. I’m desperately trying to mentally re-arrange the (very loose) schedule I’d been working around to see if I can reduce the entire US leg of the trip to 6 months without taking out some of the stuff I really wanted to do.

Has anyone got any experience/help/advice? All replies appreciated!

Mike

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