From: godfrey@sscvx1.ssc.gov (LAURENCE GODFREY)
Subject: Re: Unhelpful British Consulate; Advice Sought
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 11:16:00 GMT

In article <1992Sep15.094723.16358@news2.cis.umn.edu>, prabhak@centi.cs.umn.edu (Satya Prabhakar writes...
>Hi,
> 
>I am planning a business trip to London and I sent in my visa
>application to the British Consulate in Chicago about 10 days
>ago. I have not yet received the visa. I am little concerned 
>becuase I am going out on other business trips before Sep 25
>when I am due to leave for London, so would like to get the
>visa and buy my ticket which is on a precarious hold.
> 
>I am unable to speak to anyone at the Consulate because they
>shiled us (non-Britishers who are not in life-and-death
>situation) off with an answering machine that goes on and on
>like a Eveready Bunny.
> 
>My question for you folks is: Why does the Consulate not have
>the minimum courtesy of speakig to people who want to visit 
>UK? More importantly, what do I do now?
> 
>Any advice will be appreciated,
> 
>Satya Prabhakar
>(satya@ssdc.honeywell.com)

While I would be the last person to defend the British Consular Service,
I must say that the US embassy in London not only gives you a recording, but 
they charge 10 times the usual phone rate for it by using Telecom's high
cost service, and take half the proceeds (the remainder going to BT).

While i don't justify it, the thinking behind the Britich Entry Clearance
Rules for immigrants, visitors etc. is to keep out foreigners from the UK,
particularly those with dark skin.  I say this not as a racist, because of course
I do not agree with it, but from my observations in the case of my Asian wife
and other people I have helped with visa problems.

Now, you give up MUCh too easily.  Set aside 2 hours and a long-distance
telephone, and you will certainly get to speak to a few humans behind the
machine.  Start by asking for the Consul himself (it helps to know his
name, but it is not essential - the way to get his name is to telephone
the Washingtonm British Embassy and ask them, they have a directory).  Failing that,
phone a British embassy abroad (say France) and ask them for the name of
the Consul in Chicago).  Otherwise, try asking for the Consular attache.
If all else fails, invent a name - make it convincing, try Henderson, and
ask to speak to Mr henderson in the visa section.  You may get lucky and
find that there is one, but otherwise insist that you received a letter
from him 2 years ago and they will tell you he must have left but
they will connect you to another consular official (entry clearance officer)

If that fails, phone again and ask for the Press Office. Tell them you need
to speak to an ECO and they may connect you.  If that fails, ask to speak
to the Ambassador's private secretary atthe Washington Embassy - she will
get annoyed and will try to get rid of you by giving you a name and extension
at the Chicago Consul.  Failing hat, phone the State Dept in Washington and
ask for the British desk - they will give you a name.  Failing that, phone
the INS HQ in Washington and ask for the policy unit and when you get
through (it doesn't matter who you speak to as you can be assured that you
will be tranfered around fr hours) try to get a name of their contact at
one of the british consuls in the US.

laurence

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