On July 05 2011 00:22 Velr wrote: I actually once wanted to go on vacation to the US... Saw what i would have to do (not much timewise, but just annoying bullshit, the forms you have to fill out are running jokes here) and thought... Well, they obviously don't want my money...
Switzerland is a Visa Waiver Program country, so you can submit a form online identifying yourself and indicating that you're a Swiss citizen and just hop on a plane.
Most of the countries that don't participate in the Visa Waiver Program have equally difficult visa processes for Americans to visit as for their citizens to visit the U.S. Visa hassles are a worldwide problem.
Edit: Most of the EU are Visa Waiver Program countries and can visit the U.S. with very little advance preparation. Strelok's from Ukraine, which doesn't have such an agreement with the U.S. (I note that Ukraine has waived the visa requirement for visiting U.S. citizens, so hopefully the U.S. may at some point reciprocate.)
Also, Strelok may be applying for an O, P, or B visa, which are specifically for athletes and entertainers, and have different requirements. These visas take extra time because it's required that a person demonstrate that they're regarded as internationally notable in their area of expertise.
its nice to see so many people trying to find loopholes for strelok to make it to the states, but I believe that he has already been replaced...(by aLive or someone like that)
On July 04 2011 19:47 exShikari wrote: The US is far too tightly wound as far as security goes. Most countries in the world let you get a 4 week visa upon arrival at a port.
We aren't most countries...
The most powerful countries are extremely selective and intensive with visas (Russia, China, Iran, U.S., Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia). All these countries want to ensure a high breed of either highly educated or highly specialized workers that pose little security threat. In fact we aren't even that bad compared to some of the countries above I mentioned.
Man, that sucks Sorry bout the visa troubles Strelok, at least it looks like it's going to be a non issue going forward. Visa and scheduling issues seem to keep popping up repeatedly with major international tournies...maybe organizers can work harder with players and each other in advance to get things in order? :/
Wow thats a shame but it also exposes NASL and Xeris for their comments about other teams proving they had visas when they denied Nightend entry because he lived in Romania and he didnt have a visa at that time because of the same reasons as you it costs money and you need the hotel bookings etc etc. Despite living in a EU country. This clearly shows there was either complete incompetence or as I suspect there were other reasons why Nightend wasn't wanted (another European Protoss).
On July 04 2011 19:47 exShikari wrote: The US is far too tightly wound as far as security goes. Most countries in the world let you get a 4 week visa upon arrival at a port.
We aren't most countries...
The most powerful countries are extremely selective and intensive with visas (Russia, China, Iran, U.S., Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia). All these countries want to ensure a high breed of either highly educated or highly specialized workers that pose little security threat. In fact we aren't even that bad compared to some of the countries above I mentioned.
hmm you are one of the worst in the world , not saying i dont understand why but happily listing yourself alongside some of the worst human rights countries in the world isnt really an excuse, you could have added North Korea to that too.
Oh no, this is horrible. I was thinking you were one of the top contenders to win NASL. This is sad news, but hopefully you'll do really well at MLG Anaheim. Good luck in the future, at least you don't have to deal with this for another 5 years :D
On July 04 2011 19:47 exShikari wrote: The US is far too tightly wound as far as security goes. Most countries in the world let you get a 4 week visa upon arrival at a port.
We aren't most countries...
The most powerful countries are extremely selective and intensive with visas (Russia, China, Iran, U.S., Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia). All these countries want to ensure a high breed of either highly educated or highly specialized workers that pose little security threat. In fact we aren't even that bad compared to some of the countries above I mentioned.
Sorry for the bump, I've been roadtripping. I can't speak for all the above countries, but I've been to Israel and Japan and they are just as easy to get into as anywhere in Asia, as long as you have no ill intentions.
EPT
Sorry bout the visa troubles Strelok, at least it looks like it's going to be a non issue going forward. Visa and scheduling issues seem to keep popping up repeatedly with major international tournies...maybe organizers can work harder with players and each other in advance to get things in order? :/
