Visitor visa

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

It is a hardship on me to just get up and go to India. If we get a second interview I will go no matter what, however my fiance wants to come and visit me in the mean time. He has a residence there, he would only be visiting here, he does not qualify for VWP.

How would you prove economic ties, social ties, and binding ties? He doesn't own anything of his own. As most Indians do, he still lives with his parents and still handles everything in cash. I read somewhere that he needed to have $50,000 USD in a bank account. That seems extreme. He's only 26, wouldn't it seem fishy for someone that age to have that much money in a bank account already?

How long does the process take to get a visitors visa?

[Amit-N-Melody 11]

From what I have read, he is going to have to show some ties or he will be denied. I know one way of doing this is with an employment letter, house in his name, cars/bikes.... I dont know about $50,000 USD but I know atleast a bank account in his name... anything to show ties to the communtity etc... But I dont know how wise it is for him to try to come see you in the current situation... Can you not go there instead and just have him pay for everything? I dont know how true this is... but I have been told that if you ever get denied for a visa it makes it really difficult for you to get a different one....

I found this information that might be helpful to you: http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/visa/visito...from-india.html

There are various forms of Visas to immigrate to the US (permanent and temporary). The Visitor Visa (B category Visa) enables people from around the world to immigrate (non –permanent) on grounds of business purpose (B1 Visa) or for simple traveling or medical treatment purposes (B 2 Visa). Regarding the Visitor Visa to USA from India, the application for such Visa requires the following documents:

1. Documents required (mandatory for both B1 and B2 Visas) :

*A valid passport

*Nonimmigrant Visa Application ( DS-156 Form )

*Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application ( DS-157 Form ) only in case the applicant is 15-55 years of age

*One photo

*HDFC Bank Visa Fee Receipt with two bar code stickers

*Interview appointment letter

*Demand draft for the Visa Issuance Fee (unless the applicant is a Bhutanese citizen, holding a yellow Identity Certificate or applying for a A, C, C-

1/D, D, F, G, J, K, M, T, V or Blanket L-1 visa)

2. Supporting Documents (for B1 Visa) :

*Invitation letter from the U.S. counterpart/company with which the applicant plans to conduct business

*Recent bills or other documentary evidence of recent imports and exports of purchases

*Evidence of arrangements for lodging and appointments already made in the US in preparation for the trip

*Incorporation documents and business license

*Tax statements for the last 2 years

*Bank transaction statements for the last six months.

*Copies (if any) of recent advertising brochures or publications

3. Supporting Documents (for B1 Visa) :

*Employment and salary details

*Income Tax and bank statements and documents

*A No Objection Letter or Certificate and leave sanctioned letter (in case the applicant works in Government Service or with any of the Armed Forces)

*In case the applicant has a sponsor for the trip or medical treatment, then the following documents are needed:

*I-134 Form from the sponsor (a close relative), and also his/her bank statements and employment letter

*A copy of the passport of the sponsor in the US (Preferably a copy of the Indian passport)

*Documents to show the sponsor's legal status in the US

*In case of medical treatment in the US, documents should also include (besides the regular B 2 visa application documents):

*A letter from the applicant's doctor in India stating the diagnosis of the former's health condition and the necessary treatment(s)

*A letter from a licensed US medical facility stating its acceptability of the applicant as a patient and having an appointment with him/her. The letter should also state the duration and total cost of treatment

*Evidence that the applicant has the funds to pay for all anticipated expenses

I hope this helps.... goodluck!

Edited January 30, 2010 by Amit-N-Melody

[Amit-N-Melody 11]

I know that you are inquiring about a tourist visa... not a medical or buisness... just thought the list of required docs might help ya

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Thank you. That is helpful. His whole family is devastated and now he thinks we may lose parental support altogether. He's dramatic. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage going. I'm living with my disabled father to help take care of him and he is awaiting surgery to have a pacemaker put in to keep his heart beating (thankfully at that point he'll have a nurse and I can breathe), I am a single mom to 3 kids and I can't leave the kids with their father because he's legally psychotic. I can't go or take any time off of work before March because I'm under contract and any absence will automatically result in termination. I'm sure that's not enough to prove hardship considering how the consulates are. I'm working on going as soon after that as possible though. That's why I couldn't attend the interview either.

[Moksha 1]

Hi ms_jingle_lala,

I am so sorry for your situation! I'm not trying to add to the heartbreak, but I just want to give you our experience. Just prior to us filing for the K-1 Tarun went to try to get a tourist visa to come over and meet my family in person. He went for the interview and they straight away denied him and told him that because he had the intention of immigrating they could not, by Consulate rules, give him a tourist visa, even though he had ties there and we were planning to go through the proper channels to bring him here. I'm afraid that because your visa was just denied they would be even less likely to give him one and it would be heartache for you guys all over again. These are just my opinions mixed with a little bit of experience, and I just wanted to put it out there even though I know things are tough for you right now and you so badly want to see him. Keep your chin up and keep fighting!

~Jen

[Saddle Bronc 124]

It is a hardship on me to just get up and go to India. If we get a second interview I will go no matter what, however my fiance wants to come and visit me in the mean time. He has a residence there, he would only be visiting here, he does not qualify for VWP.

How would you prove economic ties, social ties, and binding ties? He doesn't own anything of his own. As most Indians do, he still lives with his parents and still handles everything in cash. I read somewhere that he needed to have $50,000 USD in a bank account. That seems extreme. He's only 26, wouldn't it seem fishy for someone that age to have that much money in a bank account already?

How long does the process take to get a visitors visa?

No requirement of $50K (99.9% of Indian visitors to US would be disqualified that way--as that is about Rs. 22-25 lakhs) in bank account. There was an archaic idea (I never found the truth of it) that a person with that much could get a GC automatically....

Basically, the visitor does have to fork-over about $200 in drafts to VFS-USA, and then fill out forms, and make appointment at consulate (it takes longer if language other than English) which covers region of their residence.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[sachinky 465]

Don't bother with a B2--there's no way in hell he'd qualify for one after a denied K-1. Sorry.

[Twisted K 2]

chance of a visitors visa is basically slim to none. heck, it is slim even if he never applied for another visa prior.

[ELW 5]

Even people I've known with a lot of education, money, bank accounts, land and a good job in India were denied tourist visas. I'm so sorry. Next thing is to try to go to India, get married then file for spousal visa. Good luck.

[Third 0]

I agree with everyone above. I know it is hard for him and you right now but don't waste money by trying a tourist visa.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Hi ms_jingle_lala,

I am so sorry for your situation! I'm not trying to add to the heartbreak, but I just want to give you our experience. Just prior to us filing for the K-1 Tarun went to try to get a tourist visa to come over and meet my family in person. He went for the interview and they straight away denied him and told him that because he had the intention of immigrating they could not, by Consulate rules, give him a tourist visa, even though he had ties there and we were planning to go through the proper channels to bring him here. I'm afraid that because your visa was just denied they would be even less likely to give him one and it would be heartache for you guys all over again. These are just my opinions mixed with a little bit of experience, and I just wanted to put it out there even though I know things are tough for you right now and you so badly want to see him. Keep your chin up and keep fighting!

~Jen

Thank you for sharing. I am just lost right now. I don't know what to do or where to go. I'm a big "fix it" person and I don't know how to fix this. Bleh.

Thanks everyone.

Edited January 31, 2010 by ms_jinga_lala