Who do i complain to when the american embassy make a mistake?

Question

I applied for a J1 visa, went to london, did the interview, told i would get the visa the following friday. i booked my flight to US for the tues after. When i got my visa however they had given me the wrong one. As i couldn't change my flights i had to get my friend to take me down to london the day before i flew at great expense to myself. The petrol was £50, i also had congestion charge and parking to pay for as well as giving my friend some money to take me. (he had to take the day off work) I kept all the receipts but the embassy say they won't reimburse me these costs even though they were generated by their mistake. Who can i take this up with?

Answer 1

No one I'm afraid. That is why the US embassy explicitly says time and time again to apply months before your intended trip.

Answer 2

No one... This is a great example of WHY you should never wait until the last minute to get a visa! Mistakes happen, proper planning will alleviate many of them...

Answer 3

The world is an uncertain place - common sense would dictate that you not book your ticket until after you had the visa in your possession.  If you had applied in a timely manner, this would not be an issue....

Answer 4

You really didnt think they would reimburse you did you? I can understand your frustration but dont ever count on any thing being on time and correct until you have the paper in your hand.  You can complain all you want http://london.usembassy.gov/ukaddres.htm...

but wont do any good except to get it all off your chest.

good luck

Answer 5

Sorry, but, really, why should they reimburse you?  Life is uncertain, travel is too.

Answer 6

Take it up with Mr. Blair.

Answer 7

Well, you can tell it to the Marines, as we used to say here. That would have about as much effect as telling it to the guards at Buckingham Palace, I would think.  The mistake is unfortunate, and obviously expensive, but there isn't any mechanism that will result in your reimbursement. So, go do your J program and get what you can out of that. Next time, apply early.