[pct-l] US tourist visa to thru hike

[anna mathys]

Hey
I'm also interested how to get a long term visa. I'm Swiss and have heard of
several people that it's almost impossible to get a tourist visa for longer
than 6 months. I'd love to see the States also from a different view than as
a hiker. What did you, Mountaingoat, tell the embassy what you're doing the
other half year after the AT?
AnnA

On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 1:37 PM, Mountaingoat Fraser <
mistermountaingoat at gmail.com> wrote:

> I can only share my experience as an Australian. The normal length of a
> tourist visa from here is 90 days. Both times I tackled the AT, I obviously
> needed longer than that, so had to apply for a special visa; I think from
> memory it was called a B2 (B-something anyway). This gives you a year in
> America. I had to fly down to the US consulate in Sydney both times (I took
> maps and a copy of 'Walk in the Woods' the first time!) and have an
> "interview" - very intimidating, but both times I was granted the visa
> after
> a five-minute conversation through bullet-proof glass... The first time,
> the
> guy started talking about Bill Bryson (!). I remember him smiling and
> saying, "But he didn't make it!".
>
> The biggest fear of the US authorities, I gathered, was that people might
> try to work illegally in your country. I had to show bank statements
> proving
> I had plenty of cash for the trip. Taking time off for a thru-hike is a
> financial slug for anyone, but factor in two grand for airfares and it's a
> major investment for us non-American hiker maniacs.
>
> I will have to go through the ritual again next year before PCT 2010... For
> me it's a necessary evil.
>
> Don't know if that helped - but I do know that plenty of foreigners make it
> to the Trail(s) in the States. Good luck!
>
> ~ (Mr) Mountaingoat, Brisbane, Australia
>
> On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 9:10 AM, Dave and Cindy <hikeon at surewest.net>
> wrote:
>
> > We have a friend in Spain that will be thru hiking next year.  He is
> asking
> > for advise on what is the best way to insure a tourist visa from the US
> > Embassy. The embassy is telling him that a letter explaining his purpose
> of
> > visiting the US would be helpful.  A document with hotel reservations or
> > other accommodations is an example of what they are looking for.  He is
> > afraid that they will not understand if he writes that he will be walking
> > across the country!!!
> > He will be staying with us for a few days before we all leave to thru
> hike
> > together.  A letter from us stating his stay with us could be an example
> of
> > what the embassy is looking for
> > What have others done in the past?  Is there something that would be
> > helpful from the PCTA?  I will call them on Monday to see what advise
> they
> > might have but I also would like to hear what others from different
> > countries are doing or have done in the past when acquiring a US tourist
> > visa for six months to hike the trail.
> > Thanks,
> > Zelda
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>
>
>
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