From: C D (scdman@gmail.com)
Date: Sat Nov 22 2008 - 15:23:05 ARST
Hi Con,
I had been there to RTP Centre in Feb 2008. My passport doesn't entail VISA
free entry to USA and I has to get a B1/B2 VISA from US Consulate at the
country(UK) where I am residing now. Since you don't need a VISA for you
Australian passport, you just don't have hassle of getting the VISA.
But if you are afraid, get in touch with Cisco Certification support team(Link
to Certsupport)<http://ciscocert.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ciscocert.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php>,
and ask them to issue a business invite letter(you need to fill up a
template) and you will get it within 48 hours if you template is complete.
When you are with immigration officer at the arriving port, say you are here
to take up the exam, he will ask do you have any documents. Just show the
one issued by Cisco, RTP office.
In addition, if possible try to get a letter from your current employer that
you are travelling to USA, for taking Cisco exam, with your desination.
I had to have both the above letter in order for me to apply for the VISA
and hence I was able to use the same at the port of entry.
Hope that answers your query. All the best for your exam.
Cheers
Cowsi Das
On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 12:41 PM, Con Spathas <ccie19226@googlemail.com>wrote:
> Gday,
>
> I've heard/read some horror stories of people being turned away at US
> Customs/Immigration due to incorrect paperwork etc.
>
> From what I understand I don't need a visa getting into the US on an
> Australian passport (which has the new-style data chip in it).
> However what do I tell them when I arrive? If I tell them I'm going there
> for a lab with Cisco - could that be implied that it's "work" related and
> subsequently require a visa of some kind?
>
> I suppose I'm trying to get a feel from folks who have traveled to the US
> to
> sit a lab and what they said to customs officials and wrote on their
> immigration card.
>
> To be honest I'm probably making a mountain out of an ant-hill re this but
> last thing I'd want is to get turned away and miss my chance at sitting the
> lab.
> My wife is tagging along as well - she has the same style passport.
>
> Cheers,
> Con...
>
>
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