Visa Denied...Please Help!!!

[LINHAN 0]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

I would contact embassy , and request a 2nd interview, and this time YOU be there!!!!!

Im so sorry this has happened, its mind baffling how these think and what they do.

Anyways, contact embassy, request another interview!! It cant hurt to ask!! Best wishes, again Im so sorry.

[toddandhien 2]

I suspect that there were some number of red flags in your case that got the CO concerned about whether you have a legitimate relationship. You need to honestly assess what they are so that you can deal with them. Lots of information here about red flags in HCM.

Doing things in your relationship that are not typical for Vietnamese people to do would be of particular concern. For example, it appears from your post that you may be somewhat young (~20?). Is he older than you? Not saying that this should matter but it seems to in VN. Many older males in the US petition for a younger VN female (which is culturally the norm in VN as well) but younger women petitioning for older men could cause undue attention in your case. And him proposing to you before your first interview might have been an issue as well.

Also, how were you introduced? If it was through family, this has to be dealt with as it causes concerns for the CO. Who paid for you to fly back to VN 5 times?

Finally, his answers in the interview probably did not help your case. If he misunderstood the questions or the CO did not understand him well, this confusion may have been part of the reason for the denial. It seems that the timing of the engagement ceremony in the development of ones relationship is very carefully looked at within the HCM consulate. I suspect that the relationship timing was a large factor. The other questions just confirmed their concerns.

So now what do you do? I would recommend 3 things and I would recommend doing them immediately. Once your case leaves HCM, you will be faced with a very long battle and a lot of waiting.

1. Go there and use the open visit periods (twice a week...see the HCM consulate website for times) to speak to a CO and ask that your case be held in HCM for further review because you have more evidence that you would like to share.

2. Get an attorney like Marc Ellis in HCM. He appears to be very helpful in challenging cases such as yours.

3. Contact your senators and the congressperson from your district and ask for their help. At least try to get them to have your case held at the consulate until you can get there.

Good luck to both of you.

[Twisted K 2]

I agree with ParisHeart. Try to get another interview that you could also be in attendance. It seems that there was a communication gap as to what the consular officer was wanting, ie what classes were you taking and you were not currently attending classes due to summer break.

Anyhow, I wish you luck and do everything humanly possible while the case is still in the beneficiary's country.

Edited July 29, 2009 by kaushalia

[Dakine 26]

Call your senator and congressman. One of them should have a immigration specialist that can help you out. Do so RIGHT away as you don't want the petition going back to USCIS. Keep it at the embassy.

Edited July 29, 2009 by Haole

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Getting a second interview is not likely to happen. I've never heard of HCM granting a second interview by request. Also, the petitioner "being there" for the interview is not possible in the strictest sense. HCM does not permit petitioners to attend the interview, though it does usually help if the CO knows that the petitioner is waiting outside the consulate.

I think Todd nailed the most important points.

LINHAN, the CO probably had their mind made up to deny your husband's visa from the start. Something about your case made them very suspicious. They didn't want to see all of the evidence he had. They gave him a blue slip for specific information. The information he submitted did not persuade them that their suspicions were wrong, so they denied his visa.

I'm not going to ask you to give a lot of details about your case in order to figure out what the red flags were, and why your husband's visa was denied. It wouldn't help you at this point. You need an attorney quickly if you want to keep your petition at the consulate. Tell your husband to call Marc Ellis. He is in HCM, and he specializes in cases like this.

http://www.marcellislaw.com/

[luckytxn 2,265]

The right answer is to get with March Ellis as soon as possible and let them go over everything. From what little info you told us it seems there is a lot more to this than the interview and timeline.

[Kevin and 10]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

I know exactly what you feeling right now. Jim and Todd are correct, these are the only things you can do at this point.

I think most of the time a CO's decision is already made before the interview.

Once your petition is sent back to the US, I'm sorry to say but you're in for a long wait.

[lindal24 1]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

Wow...this kind of brings me down because it sounds like we're in the same boat...

My info:

1. 1st interview June 3, 2009

2. 2nd interview July 8, 2009 (submission of requested items from the blue slip)

3. Results are in the "mail" (haven't received it yet)

4. I am a female petitioning for my husband (who is 3 years younger than I)

5. I don't recall him telling me of them asking him any personal questions like in your interview though...

6. If he doesn't get a visa to come to the US, I think I will end up moving there. :oP SERIOUSLY... :oP

7. I seriously think they predetermined whether or not to give him the pink slip before he went in to interview... (

Goodluck on your case though!!!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Wow...this kind of brings me down because it sounds like we're in the same boat...

My info:

1. 1st interview June 3, 2009

2. 2nd interview July 8, 2009 (submission of requested items from the blue slip)

3. Results are in the "mail" (haven't received it yet)

4. I am a female petitioning for my husband (who is 3 years younger than I)

5. I don't recall him telling me of them asking him any personal questions like in your interview though...

6. If he doesn't get a visa to come to the US, I think I will end up moving there. :oP SERIOUSLY... :oP

7. I seriously think they predetermined whether or not to give him the pink slip before he went in to interview... (

Goodluck on your case though!!!

You got RFE's for list of beneficiary's relatives in the US, and further evidence of bona fide relationship. Did they also ask for a timeline of your relationship?

The list of beneficiary's relatives is requested when they suspect a family connection might be behind the relationship and visa application. Were you introduced by a member of his family? Were any of his family members in the US brought here with fiance/e or spousal visas? If either of these are true, did you cover this thoroughly in your list of relatives? For instance, if you were introduced by a family member then you should go into great detail how you met that family member, how they introduced you, and what involvement they had (if any) in the development of your relationship.

The request for further evidence means they aren't buying that your relationship is legitimate. When you get a request like this you should be backing a dump truck full of love letters and intimate photos to the consulate.

[lindal24 1]

You got RFE's for list of beneficiary's relatives in the US, and further evidence of bona fide relationship. Did they also ask for a timeline of your relationship?

The list of beneficiary's relatives is requested when they suspect a family connection might be behind the relationship and visa application. Were you introduced by a member of his family? Were any of his family members in the US brought here with fiance/e or spousal visas? If either of these are true, did you cover this thoroughly in your list of relatives? For instance, if you were introduced by a family member then you should go into great detail how you met that family member, how they introduced you, and what involvement they had (if any) in the development of your relationship.

The request for further evidence means they aren't buying that your relationship is legitimate. When you get a request like this you should be backing a dump truck full of love letters and intimate photos to the consulate.

We got a blue slip for the list of relatives. I had prepped him on this and he had it ready, they wouldn't take it, they told him to turn it in on the date listed on the paper. They did request further evidence of a bona fide relationship. No request for a timeline though.

We were not introduced by family members. We met coincidentally at a cafe, my cousin was with me, but that's only cause it was my frist time in VN and she was my method of getting around...lol. He has a sister who's been over here for 4 years, has a 2 yo son, and immigrated on a family visa. I've never met her, only talked to her a couple of times.

Regarding the request for further evidence, I had affidavits submitted by my mom who was with me on my first trip, met him, and has blessed our relationship and marriage. I had my brother's friend who went with us on our second trip write one, and then my sister who went with me on my 3rd trip. I also wrote another one (quite a long one I might add). I also had him print out my cell phone bill which ended up being like 500 pages total over 1 1/2 years of calling one another (average call I guess is about an hour...) and then the calling cards I used, and the letters, and cards, and emails, and etc, etc, etc. I even had him print out more photos which had others in them as well--last time he only took the ones with just the two of us in them...lots of evidence though!!

I just hope everything turns out well...I'm hoping for the best.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

all i can offer is my condolences...i am so sorry. i would go apesh*t if that were me. I hope things will work themselves out quickly.... :(

[philliptham 0]

1- Do not hire any attorney, waste your money and times. I had Mc Ellis , ask me.

2- YOu only can help yourself by keep building your relationship , possible best is refile

[Jamaican JNR 2]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

You should find an immigration lawyer in the beneficiary's country ASAP or you could email the embassy and hopes that they will give you a second chance to make it right.

[Brian&Naty 0]

Dear VJ members:

My husband got interviewed on July 9th, 2009 and got blue slip asked for additional evidence and timeline. We turned everything in on July 13th. And today, my husband got result in mail that said the officer doesn't believe there is bona fide spousal relationship between us. It also said our case will be reviewed by Immigrant Visa Chief prior send back to USCIS. What should I do now? Is there any chance the Chief reviewed it? Or is there anyone I can contact to help us with our case?

The blue slip lists 4 reasons for the officer doesn't believe our relationship is real are:

- "Beneficiary chronology of the claimed relationship is not credible. Beneficiary claimed they had an engagement ceremony before he propose to Petitioner." Well, it wasn't an engagement ceremony, it was just First Interview (Le So Van). According to Vietnamese tradition, this means that both families officially allow us to date and approved our relationship. It was on March 2007 and our engagement ceremony doesn't take place until May 2008. He proposed to me on February 2007. However, when he answered the question he thought they asked about engagement ceremony not proposal.

- "Beneficiary did not know anything about Petitioner's hometown other than it has a beach." Well, I living in Tampa, Florida. What else does it has? Most of our activities are relate to beaches.

- "Beneficiary could not name any friends of Petitioner." When they asked my husband they ask if I have any "best" friend not just friends (I have few friends, I don't like best friend because they can backstab you) and my husband answered I only play with my cousins and do not have any best friend. It's true. I don't have best friend. I only go out with my cousins and 2-3 times a year with my high school friends. I don't have best friend and those who are consider best friends to me are my mom and my husband. Do they have to expect everyone has to have best friend???

- "Beneficiary was unaware when Petitioner will graduate or what classes she is currently taking." This is because I told him I will continue for Master degree after Bachlor degree and I don't know exactly when I will done with my education. When my husband interviewed, I was on summer vaction and of course take no classes. Every semester I have to change classes. I don't even remember what I took last semester, how could he remembers? I don't talk much about my schooling either because we on different career and he won't understand either. He only knows that I major in Business and this is my third year.

This is unbelievable to us because we know each other for 5 years already and we got married after 4 years of loving. I thought it was a long relationship. Plus, it is first love for both of us also. I know him and date him when I was only 15. I also went back to Vietnam 5 times already to see him. We have a lot of proofs like letters, chat, phone bills, tones of pictures. But how could they do not look at our proofs, our timeline, and think logically about our relationship? If my husband only wanted to pay someone to bring him to US, he can hire someone 18 or older so he doesn't have to wait for 5 years. They just based their decision on 4 questions when they asked tons of questions and he answered correctly??? Is it because I'm a girl and I'm too young to get marry especially to someone in Vietnam?

Please help. Is there any chance I can rescue my case? Is there anyone I can contact to tell them to look at our proofs to see if we are real or not? 5 years apart are very harsh on us. We only want to be together

Thanks millions for your help!!!

Its simply amazing that one small detail like a ceremony can create so many problems. Vietnam seems to be a very hard country to obtain a visa from. I hope it all works out for you. Good Luck.