Wife's sister denied Tourist Visa

[Pmt 0]

So I guess I didn’t do enough research or the US gov just plain stinks. Long story..

My wife's parents came earlier this year to visit and didn’t have a problem obtaining and utilizing a 2 year re-entry visa. So next in line was my wife sister who wanted very much to come see her and me and the new home we have made.

We thought it would be tougher for her to get a visa so we talked and decided that she would travel alone leaving her husband back in Russia. She owns an apartment, has a good bit of money in the bank, her parents are back in Russia, and a decent job. All in all we thought that this would be enough to establish ties back to Russia and prove she would not overstay her visa.

My wife's sister is very adventurous, very polite, and very outgoing. All in all a very pleasant person to be around and she has a very positive outlook on life. Her description of the experience makes me ashamed to be associated with the US government. Lets start off with the good, the exterior guards (Russians) where very polite and very courteous to her. She thought that this was a good sign that things might go smoothly. That was short lived, the next set of guards (Americans) were short, curt, and could even be described as rude. Moving people like cattle without so much as a tiny bit of compassion for people who were unfamiliar with the process. While waiting for her turn to "discuss" her visa she noticed that only one of the people who were reviewing the tourist visa applications was even remotely engaging with those trying to obtain a tourist visa. A younger man who actually seemed interested in discussing things with the applicants and truly making an effort to review all the information so he could make an accurate assessment of the applicatants intensions. All the others were sitting there with a blank look on their faces asking perfunctory questions without even looking at paperwork brought by the applicants to show "ties" to Russia and then immediately denying the request for tourist visa.

And people wonder why we are called the ugly Americans in so many countries.

[baron555 934]

And people wonder why we are called the ugly Americans in so many countries.

I wouldn't be so quick to critisize. Sounds exactly like the folks in customs control in Russia and Ukraine.

Obviously with the parents being older, they weren't deemed as much as an immigration risk as the sister. This result unfortunately doesn't sound unexpected. Sri. Take movies and send those to her.

[AKguy 1]

Sorry to hear about that...

Which city was it in?

[Rob_Lesya 4]

I'm sorry that she was denied and had such a negative experience. Of course, any time you're denied your impression is bound to be a negative one. But I came across something recently that might help explain why so many of the Consular Officers in the visa section have such a terrible attitude.

There was an interesting article in the Moscow Times a few days ago regarding a US Consulate official who is now involved in a sex scandal in Moscow. The usual stuff--- grainy film of "him" with prostitutes, etc. The Ambassador was saying that they have full confidence in the official and they are confident that he is not actually the one in the films, etc. Apparently, this guys specialty is studying and serving as a liason to "non-traditional" religious groups within Russia. But the article was explaining that it's standard practice for guys in this position to serve 2-year stints at their assigned post. They spend 1 year on the visa line and then get to spend 1 year actually working in their area of expertise. It seems like an amazing waste of talent and I can see where those serving on the visa line would really grow to hate that job.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Sorry to hear about your sister in law's denial. She sounded like a perfect candidate for a visitor visa, unless they now consider having a Russian husband not a significant tie to your country and a reason to return.

You should write a letter to the Ambassador asking for a reasonable explanation. Your letter should be courteous and concise with your understanding of the qualifications for someone to obtain a visitor visa. You don't want to anger the Ambassador. Don't send an email but a real letter. The Ambassador is likely to take a letter more seriously.

[visaveteran 1]

So I guess I didn’t do enough research or the US gov just plain stinks. Long story..

My wife's parents came earlier this year to visit and didn’t have a problem obtaining and utilizing a 2 year re-entry visa. So next in line was my wife sister who wanted very much to come see her and me and the new home we have made.

We thought it would be tougher for her to get a visa so we talked and decided that she would travel alone leaving her husband back in Russia. She owns an apartment, has a good bit of money in the bank, her parents are back in Russia, and a decent job. All in all we thought that this would be enough to establish ties back to Russia and prove she would not overstay her visa.

My wife's sister is very adventurous, very polite, and very outgoing. All in all a very pleasant person to be around and she has a very positive outlook on life. Her description of the experience makes me ashamed to be associated with the US government. Lets start off with the good, the exterior guards (Russians) where very polite and very courteous to her. She thought that this was a good sign that things might go smoothly. That was short lived, the next set of guards (Americans) were short, curt, and could even be described as rude. Moving people like cattle without so much as a tiny bit of compassion for people who were unfamiliar with the process. While waiting for her turn to "discuss" her visa she noticed that only one of the people who were reviewing the tourist visa applications was even remotely engaging with those trying to obtain a tourist visa. A younger man who actually seemed interested in discussing things with the applicants and truly making an effort to review all the information so he could make an accurate assessment of the applicatants intensions. All the others were sitting there with a blank look on their faces asking perfunctory questions without even looking at paperwork brought by the applicants to show "ties" to Russia and then immediately denying the request for tourist visa.

And people wonder why we are called the ugly Americans in so many countries.

I've been to a Russian Embassy and it was a mob scene...no order, just chaos. There were no lines, just clusters of unruly Russians pushing and shoving. Everyone was rude. So, maybe we can call them "ugly Russians."

[slim 1,530]

I'm willing to bet this is something more of a case of revolving luck and bad timing.

Back when I first started the VJ process, it was IMPOSSIBLE for a young woman to get a visa. Recently, it's become almost a given that she'll be granted one. Well, maybe the cycle is up and it's time to return to the old style of denying all applicants.

We'll see if this trend continues or if it was just a quick period.