Thread: Visa Success! Advice for travelling dancers.....

Hey all,
This may seem sort of random, but given the recent articles that have popped up about bellydancers and international travel, I thought it was worth sharing........

I needed assistance in speeding up the processing of my latest work visa to the UK and I employed the services of a firm called A.Briggs in Los Angeles (Expedite Passport and International Travel Visa Services - A Briggs). They were GREAT! They answered all of my questions, they were patient with me, they reviewed my application with a fine-tooth comb before submitting it and best of all, they checked in with me almost every single day on my status. I truly felt like this business earned their money and I would highly recommend them to anyone needing help with a speedy(er) visa or passport application.

My visa was just approved (yay!), which of course they have no control over, but without their extra help and watchful eye I would have missed important details or be kept waiting for months.

I just thought I'd share this as personally, I've learned a lot more about visas than I ever wanted to in the past year ,r:; and the process can be a massive pain in the a** if you don't get the right help!

(Disclaimer: Visa expediting firms can't offer you legal advice as they're not immigration lawyers. Nor can they guarantee that whatever you're applying for will be approved-- they just help you with the final step.)

Now I'm off to pack!!!!

I'm really happy it all worked out for you! I had to work on my immigrant VISA a couple of years ago and I know how big of a pain it is! Congratulations!

I can add to your advice with a few words of wisdom from my son who is a CIO at a UK airport.
get the paperwork right yes..proof of employment,visas
When you arrive make sure you have your return ticket.
Make sure you can demonstrate you have funds sufficient for your stay.
Please do not like many Americans assume that you can just waltz on in.You'd be amazed at the attitudes some of your compatriots have.
Now I know that most bellydancers are too intelligent to think that we just open the door and let you in because you (sort of) speak our language but it happens all too frequently!
We have given up thinking we are going to pass through your portals with ease.. special relationship or not!

Yes, A Briggs is great.

I am going to second Liza's advice. The Visa I am applying for is an open Visa which allows me to come and look for work. I am currently contemplating keeping my apartment here until I find employment (or a contract) there.

Although I do have a couple of restaurants who have expressed interest in my performing at their venues - thanks to a Turkish friend here - I know that I will need something more substantial to support myself in the style which I enjoy.

{{{HUGS}}}

Hey Razia, just sayin' hi and don't forget your homegirls, LOL.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I can add to your advice with a few words of wisdom from my son who is a CIO at a UK airport.
get the paperwork right yes..proof of employment,visas
When you arrive make sure you have your return ticket.
Make sure you can demonstrate you have funds sufficient for your stay.
Please do not like many Americans assume that you can just waltz on in.You'd be amazed at the attitudes some of your compatriots have.
Now I know that most bellydancers are too intelligent to think that we just open the door and let you in because you (sort of) speak our language but it happens all too frequently!
We have given up thinking we are going to pass through your portals with ease.. special relationship or not!

LOL! Very wise words, indeed

Originally Posted by dunyah

Hey Razia, just sayin' hi and don't forget your homegirls, LOL.

But of course not!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Yes, A Briggs is great.

I am going to second Liza's advice. The Visa I am applying for is an open Visa which allows me to come and look for work. I am currently contemplating keeping my apartment here until I find employment (or a contract) there.

Although I do have a couple of restaurants who have expressed interest in my performing at their venues - thanks to a Turkish friend here - I know that I will need something more substantial to support myself in the style which I enjoy.

{{{HUGS}}}

Good luck and please email me when you get in... I'd love to meet!

Originally Posted by Razia

LOL! Very wise words, indeed

Tell us where you going and what you're doing.

On behalf of the British Government and the Queen I would like to welcome you back

On behalf of the dancers of the United Kingdom, I too would like to welcome you back!

I'm so pleased for you!!!!!

Thanks everyone!
I'm heading back to London to resume my teaching post with hipsinc (Bellydance classes and events) and I've got all sorts of fun stuff coming up..... I'll be teaching at Raqs Britannia, October's JOY, several regional haflahs, and then RAKS in Belgium for July/August. But, really the thing I'm most excited about is seeing my fiancee for the first time in months :) I miss him terribly!

fianceee!!!!