E2 Renewal in Barbados

[linzizee]

Our E2 visa is due for renewal this August and we chose to go to Barbados to renew it and to make a holiday out of it. It also appears to be cheaper than going to London.

Anyway We have our appointment set and wondered if anybody could recommend a hotel/apartment in Barbados? As there will be 4 of us i dont want 5 star treatment but some where clean,comfotable and safe etc

If any one has vacationed there or purely visited for Visa purposes, recommendations and tips would be appreciated .

Thanks.

[blueharborhouse]

Hi,
We have just come back from Barbados, for E2 renewal. We stayed at the Palms resort, Travellers palm in St James. (www.thepalmsresort.net) Reasonably priced, clean, apartment style rooms, with kitchen. Nice Pool.

[peter gold]

Please tell us of your experience with the renewal
Did you do it yourself?

[linzizee]

Thanks for the hotel details. i will check them out.

How was Barbados in general?

I understand you have the renewal interview on the Monday and then the visas issued on the Friday. Is that correct? How long was your interview and did they speak with everyone in your party?

I assume you were successful in the renewal of your visa so congratulations.

[blueharborhouse]

Hi,
Yes, the interview was on the Monday, and passport should have been delivered to our Hotel within 5 business days. However, they forgot to charge us the processing fee, so we were called back to the Embassy the next day, where we paid the fee, and they gave us back the passports with new visas straight away. So we didn't experience the courier service.
The interview itself was only a few minutes - just up at one of the booths like everyone else (not in the private interview room, where we thought we would be) We were expecting a lot worse, so it was a huge relief that it was over quickly with no problems.

[Craney]

Hi there,

Could you please let us know how long it took for your appointment to come through? We are thinking of the same route and are trying to get a timeline.

Thanks

Craney

[blueharborhouse]

Hi there,

Could you please let us know how long it took for your appointment to come through? We are thinking of the same route and are trying to get a timeline.

Thanks

Craney

Hi,
Actually it took longer than we expected. We applied in October and got a date for early March. The Embassy website is confusing as to how you book your appointment. One section says all Non Immigrant visas to apply online for appointment date. Then on the E2 section it says to schedule appointment you need to e-mail your request to: consularbridge2@state.gov. You should e-mail, not use the online appointment system. Hopefully timelines will have improved by now.

[linzizee]

Hi
we emailed requesting an appointment in Feb 2009 and the appointment is in August this year. Its usually 6 months from your request.

I beleive its quicker to get an appointment in London, if you need to renew sooner.

[24/7]

Hi,

What was the actual process that you followed. Did you request and appontment and then submit the renewal folder? If the appointments are taking 6 months, I assume that the appointment is made first. Did you feel that it was any different than a London renewal, and did they give you five years.

Many thanks

[blueharborhouse]

Hi,

What was the actual process that you followed. Did you request and appontment and then submit the renewal folder? If the appointments are taking 6 months, I assume that the appointment is made first. Did you feel that it was any different than a London renewal, and did they give you five years.

Many thanks

Hi,
We requested the appointment, and submitted the renewal folder a few weeks before our date. We used a lawyer who had previously filed successful E2 renewals in Barbados. We haven't been back to London for a renewal, but from what I have read on this forum, the renewal in Barbados was, at least for us, easier. We have 3 part time staff, which, with hours added up, equate to less than the 2 or more full time staff which London like to see. We got 5 year visas.

[timjotom]

We requested a date a few weeks ago and have the interview on the 20th July. We have booked into the recommended hotel and they are offering us 7 night for the price 5 - $600 for 3 people for 1 week!
When I e-mailed the embassy they offered me a date straight away, the response was very quick. I plan on sending the paperwork early June.

[24/7]

Thanks for the replies. I thought that in the past, Barbados had been viewed as a bit of hit and miss. It now seems a viable alternative for the long trip to London. I am not due to renew until Jan 2010, but would I be able to request a dtae that far in advance?

[linzizee]

I am intrigued,
Who and which hotel was recommended at $600 for 3 people. I have just booked my flights and hotel today to Barbados and it cost me alot more and there is 4people..

[linzizee]

Thanks for the replies. I thought that in the past, Barbados had been viewed as a bit of hit and miss. It now seems a viable alternative for the long trip to London. I am not due to renew until Jan 2010, but would I be able to request a dtae that far in advance?

Yes, our visa expires Nov 2009 but with school starting mid August and family visiting In Sept/Oct we asked for early Augustm Which it is.

I personally would not leave it till the last minute to go to Barbados, so contact them now. They can only ask you to call back if it too far in advance

Good Luck