22 November 2020.
Dear Consular Section,
I am very pleased to learn that my visa document is available to pick up, but …. I am no longer in Lima.
Please read the email thread below. I sat in Lima for 50 days in May and June 2018 waiting for your decision. I was riding my motorcycle around the world at the time, but eventually decided to fly over the USA to Canada in order to complete my journey.
Whereas I respect that you are under no obligation to let me in again, despite multiple visits over many years, I have reluctantly concluded that as my journey involved traversing Iran in 2017, you really did not know what to do with me. Iranian nationals had just been banned from entry, but I was not, and have never been, an Iranian national.
So, what was the problem?
Mark Holmes
Now living in Lyon, France, and not expecting to be back to Lima anytime soon.
******
Received from US Consulate Lima Peru 20 November 2020:
Hello Mark Stephen Holmes,
Our records indicate that your visa document(s) is available for pick up at LIMA Document Service Center. Document processing takes a minimum of one hour; therefore, you may pick-up your documents at LIMA Document Service Center approximately one hour after receiving this message.
Avenida El Derby No 55 Torre 2, Local 2, Frente a la Embajada. Santiago de Surco, Lima, Lima 33, PE
Please be advised: Security measures at Service Centers that assist U.S. visa applicants have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Best regards,
The CSRA Visa Appointment and Information Service Team——————————————————————————-
Here’s how the correspondence started:
Sent 14 May 2018.
Dear Embassy of the United States of America,
I attended an interview earlier today at the Consular Section in Lima, to support my application for a tourist Visa B2. There is a concern about my visit to Iran last year, and I understand that further questions need to be asked of me. I welcome those questions.
Briefly, I set out from London UK where I live in April 2017, to ride my motorcycle around the world. I travelled through Europe then Turkey, Iran, Dubai and on to India. Iran was en route. I had a guide with me at all times in Iran, a condition of my Visa, and left from the southern port of Bandar Abbas after 9 days. I managed to visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but otherwise I spent my time riding 1500 miles, and following my guide in his car.
After Iran I travelled through SE Asia then Australia and New Zealand. I flew over to Chile, then rode through Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and in to Peru. I would like to continue my journey north as soon as possible, and finish in New York City, after visiting friends all over the U.S.
The purpose of me writing to you now is to ask you to consider my application as quickly as possible, please. I have already visited many of the most interesting places in Peru - Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines. I now have nothing else to do but to literally sit in my hotel bedroom and wait.
I have been a friend of the United States for over 30 years, visiting about 50 times for business and vacations. I have many friends all over the country waiting to see me. Please let me back in?
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
——————————————————————————————————
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 9:11 AM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. xxxx
Sent 21 May 2018.
PLEASE PLEASE RESPOND TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT I AM LITERALLY SITTING IN MY HOTEL BEDROOM IN LIMA WAITING FOR YOU. IT HAS BEEN ONE WEEK NOW AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM YOU. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK THEM, OR PLEASE INVITE ME BACK TO THE CONSULATE FOR A FURTHER INTERVIEW? I AM A UK CITIZEN.
————————————————————————————————-
Sent 22 May 2018
Dear Consular Section,
Thank you for acknowledging receipt of my responses to the supplementary questions.
Do you have any idea when I can expect a decision from the Consular Officer? I am sorry to press you, but as I have mentioned, I have nothing else to do in Lima but to sit and wait in my hotel bedroom until I hear from you.
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
————————————————————————————————
On 23 May 2018, at 14:05, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for contacting our Non-Immigrant Visa Unit.
The information has been forwarded to the consular officer for review.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
————————————————————————————————-
Sent 24 May 2018
Dear Consular Section,
Thank you for your email. I appreciate that you say the process cannot be expedited, but PLEASE tell the Consular Officer than I am still here, sat in my hotel bedroom in Lima, unable to move on with my journey until I hear from them. Again, I am literally sitting here with nothing else to do but wait.
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
————————————————————————————————-
On 25 May 2018, at 13:38, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for contacting our Non-Immigrant Visa Unit.
The Consular Section cannot provide additional details on your case status. This processing is mandatory, and cannot be expedited. A consular officer will contact you with instructions once the administrative processing concludes. We cannot predict how long this process will take as it varies based on the individual circumstances of each case.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
——————————————————————————————-
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 11:20 AM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: Re: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. xxxx
PLEASE
Dear Consular Section,
Thank you for your email. I appreciate that you say the process cannot be expedited, but PLEASE tell the Consular Officer than I am still here, sat in my hotel bedroom in Lima, unable to move on with my journey until I hear from them. Again, I am literally sitting here with nothing else to do but wait.
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
——————————————————————————
On 5 Jun 2018, at 11:53, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for new contact.
A consular officer will contact you with instructions as soon as the administrative processing concludes.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
———————————————————————-
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 11:43 AM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: Re: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. 0094
Dear Consular Section and Consular Officer,
Today is my Birthday - June 12th. For my birthday present can I have a Visa?
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
——————————————————————————
On 12 Jun 2018, at 11:50, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for new contact.
We regret to inform that the administrative processing continues. We will contact you as soon as it concludes.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
—————————————————————————————-
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 4:00 PM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: Re: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. xxxx
Dear Consular Section and Consular Officer,
Is anybody actually looking at my case?
I cannot understand why this is taking so long. I am still the man that I always was. A friend of USA. A regular visitor for most of my adult life, spending Millions buying US goods and services. I have explained to you that I am riding around the world on my motorcycle. I have ridden through over 30 countries so far, including Iran. There is nothing more to it than that. Yet you are making me wait, wait and wait.
I would like to assure you that I fully respect your right to protect your border, but ask you, again, to please complete your investigations in my case.
I have also explained that I am literally sitting in my hotel bedroom in Lima with nothing else to do but wait to hear from you. Can you imagine how difficult it is for me?
Yours, a faithful friend of America
Mark Holmes
—————————————————————————————
On 21 Jun 2018, at 15:53, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for contacting our Non-Immigrant Visa Unit.
As stated on the Department of State website https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/wait-times.html/and on the U.S. Embassy Lima website https://pe.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ , visa applications may be subject to an administrative procedure, which could last several weeks even months. Therefore, visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visa, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.
Once the administrative processing concludes, a consular representative will contact you.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
————————————————————————————
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2018 4:50 PM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: Re: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. 0094
Dear Consular Section and Consular Officer,
I am struggling to understand why you seem to be treating me, nothing but a loyal friend of America, so unfairly.
Border Protection Officers took 2 hours to process a friend of mine last year at Los Angeles Airport when he arrived with a Visa Waiver issued before he visited Iran later in the year. (he was on a motorcycle too)
The US Consulate in Athens, Greece, took 2 days to issue a Visa to another friend of mine last year, after multiple visits to Iran.
Yet you will only tell me that you can take up to 2 months to process my application to conclusion.
You are making me feel like my lifetime of visits and love for the USA now count for nothing.
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
———————————————————————————-
On 25 Jun 2018, at 17:10, LimaNIV <limaniv@state.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you for contacting our Non-Immigrant Visa Unit.
As stated on the Department of State website https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/wait-times.html/and on the U.S. Embassy Lima website https://pe.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ , visa applications may be subject to an administrative procedure, which could last several months.
Once the administrative processing concludes, a consular representative will contact you.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy – Lima, Peru
—————————————————————————
On 6 Aug 2018, at 16:04, Mark Holmes <markholmes@me.com> wrote:
Dear Consular Section,
The service you have given me is disgraceful.
Are you ever going to complete my application?
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
———————————————————————————-
.
.
From: Mark Holmes [mailto:markholmes@me.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 2:24 AM
To: LimaNIV
Subject: Re: 221(g). Numero del caso : 2018. 131. 845. xxxx
Dear Consular Section,
Please forward this email thread to a person who has the ability to make a decision. Someone with the competence to do so.
I have now been waiting for ONE YEAR for you to process my Visa application, and still I am waiting for you to make a decision.
Please read this email thread from the bottom. From the start one year ago. I have paid for you to process my visa application, and still not received a conclusion from you.
Best Regards
Mark Holmes
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… special relationship