Tourist visa (B1/B2)

[sachinky 464]

Just thought I'd post my own experiences with B1/B2 visas (and of some close friends and relatives) in case they help someone.

My mom and I had a B-2 denial in 1997. Despite overwhelming evidence. We have a house, two cars, entire family in India, bank accounts, her own successful business, tax returns, etc. I had a letter from my school that I was expected back in class at the end of the summer vacation on such and such date. When my mother asked, 'what if her old parents stood as guarantors, and signed a bond that said she would return,' the CO laughed and said, 'what if they die while you're in the U.S? Are we gonna be able to take them to court?' So, yeah, denied. Why? My father had a 10-year US visa and was in the States at that time and we wanted to join him for a vacation. You know, the touristy stuff. Disneyland. Statue of Liberty. Las Vegas.

Anyway, we ended up touring Europe that summer.

In 1999, we applied again for the B-2. Took exactly the same amount of evidence. Evidence of my mom's business, property deeds, etc. Including the passport that now had a U.K and Schegen visa and the fact that we came back from those trips. Approved after ONE question. 'Where is your husband?' 'In Calcutta for the summer. He has to assist his colleagues on a reasearch project.' (My dad was an assistant professor at a government college at that time.) My uncle who has had a B1 since the early 80s had no trouble securing B-2s for his kids (my two cousins) and his wife (my aunt who had visited the U.S. as a teenager). So the six of us came to the U.S. in 1999 and enjoyed our 4 week stay here.

In 2005, I applied for my F-1. I was approved although I thought the interview didn't really go well. My mother was granted a B-2 to come drop me off and the CO was very nice and said that 'I'll give you a 5 year visa that corresponds to your daughter's so you can visit her anytime you miss her and be able to attend her graduation.'

Everyone else I know has pretty much been able to secure B2s for themselves without any hassle. My Nepalese friend in college has had her mother visit her several times. My best friend from kindergarten who was attending college in PA had her father drop her off the first she came to the U.S. and then her father AND her brother came for her graduation. Her entire family had also come on a tourist visa in 2000 as visitors.

Another friend of mine who coincidentally attended the same college as me, had his parents come over for a visit for graduation. They also came earlier to see him off to college. My dad's best friend and his entire family just got 10 year visas to visit the US for a vacation. He's a highly placed CEO.

So yeah, I don't know if there are any tricks to this. Just luck, if you ask me. And strong ties. They are not kidding about that. If you own property, have your own business or you are gainfully employed, have money in your bank account, have a good life in general in your home country, have widely travelled elsewhere and returned from those trips, there's no reason to think you'd be a 'flight risk' and overstay your welcome in the U.S. They look at your age and your social-economic ties to your home-country. If there's even a slight reason to think that you might not return from your trip, then the odds are no longer in your favor.

[R.&S. 2]

Hey Chinky..

Thanks for your detailed review on B1/B2.

I experienced B1/B2 visa interview twice on Oct.7th and Oct.16th 2009.

Oct.7th == A lady CO was there and asked purpose of Visit,My work profile(Working with US based Pharma MNC) and how long I have been working(last one year),

I also supported my visa application with I-134 (Affidavit of support) filled be my Fiance( I mentioned her as a my friend in that). My purpose of visit to she her,her family and visiting US was the past of my answer, She also asked me that How did we met(online).

I was totally honest in that and was showing my interest to only visiting US.

She gave me red book with my passport Dang!! I got 224(G) Denied.( lake of ties).

I, my mind just stopped for a second and could not think what happened to me with in a second and was very nervous.

Same day in Delhi I deposited nonmimmi. visa fee in HDFC bank and made interview appointment on 16th Oct. ....I thought that I could not mentioned my strong ties to India despite having them so I thought of attending the interview second time with all these documents,

Oct.16th,2009

I was quite confident about getting approved.

Same lady CO was there but I had to go to different CO..

Well, Same row of question.. My answer was same except emphasizing on my purpose of visit.

Asked about my Job profile, how long I have been working...purpose of visit...

I was rellay confident and honest again..

Finely he said that I have s good job and I should stay in India.I thought what!!!....

returned my passport back to me and same time looked at and than asked what was that about her copy of passport which I was hold in my hand with the bunch of papers.

Well, I got again same red booket.. I TOLD him same time that I have IT already thanks..In between I tried to sa to him that I have few papers that shows about my ties...He said "I am sorry."

Well, This was my experience with B1/B2.

AND same day she booked her flight ticket for India.

[Eddyy 5]

Thanks for sharing guys. I need to apply soon for a B-2 visa so I hope everything turns out ok.

Cheers,

Eddyy

[R.&S. 2]

Hey schinky, I just want to ask one question..

that I want to visit my Fiancee on my vacation holidays in end of august and our F-1 is in process; we got only NOA-1 on may8th and probably will get NOA-2 by the time I apply for B2. Are there any chances to get visa if i show a letter stating that I am going there on vacation only for two weeks?

Any other things that can help me out?

Any thoughts

Thanks

[sachinky 464]

You can try but frankly, with a K-1 already in the works, your chances are quite slim.

It's only $131 a pop so it can't hurt to try, I guess. Load up on evidence of ties to India. It's hard to overcome presumption of immigrant intent with a USC fiancee. One can't possess dual intent.

Edited July 3, 2010 by sachinky

[engineer21 51]

Oh my goodness!!

I have been taking this process for granted I guess..

My mom has visited me a few times since I've been here on F-1 but she never tells me the ins and outs of her visa application

she didn't come drop me off. only came for graduation, to meet fiance, and recently for the wedding.

So I never witnessed the process.

My own experience with applying for F-1 itself was so easy that I never knew what people have to go through! Yikes!

Although I do remember people getting denied for volunteering information such as having relatives in the US..

I was only asked by CO how I will be paying for school.

I said as long as I don't drop bellow a certain GPA, it is a free ride..

He smiled and told me to go to the next window to pay for the visa.

Best of luck to everyone trying to get visas for themselves or for family members to come visit