Tourism visa denied

[Frank and Racquel 18]

Pisses me off because every refusal costs me a vacation trip for her to Hong Kong, or Macao, or Singapore to get her over the depression.

LOL I like that.

Seems like in Manila they always give tourist visa's to people who really don't deserve them, thats been my experience.

[DaveE 178]

LOL I like that.

Seems like in Manila they always give tourist visa's to people who really don't deserve them, thats been my experience.

Actually that was a bit tongue in cheek. Since we have all been to the Philippines we try to pick a vacation place we can meet that will be different. Considering Penang this year.

[Robert&Karen 264]

I know a woman who came to the US from Guyana. She got a visa to go to Canada, then took a tour of Niagara Falls on a bus. They checked passports but since all she had with her was her clothes and about $100 there is no way she is staying in the US. Well, she did. She gave it all up to get here and had to convince the border guards she was legit. People like her just make it harder for the next person.

[Noah Lot 391]

On the letter we explained that the purpose of the visit was only tourism and my husband as a combat veteran gave his word she wouldn't overstay nor engage in any illegal activity. But it doesn't matter anyway because the consul didn't even let her show the letter nor mention it. She brought to the interview a letter from her employer also, which happens to be Brazilian's biggest company and she works for them it's been 25 years, on the letter it said her vacations days and that she is not retiring or anything, she also brought her house title, showing that she owns the house but he didn't ask for anything at all! I really don't know what else could proof ties to Brazil besides the fact that her whole life is there, she owns a house and has an excellent job! =( However I know people that got a tourist visa having no ties to Brazil at all, I'm finding quite hard to figure out their standards on this matter.

Your husband's word on making sure she returns is moot because neither he nor you nor anyone else (save, perhaps, some ICE agents) have any authority over another person to 'make them' do anything....certainly no one can force her back on a airplane.

Yes, you are right in that the irresponsible actions of others make it only more difficult for future applicants...because the VOs get wind of many of the cases in which people have 'forgotten' to return to their country...and demographics are difficult to argue with.

If it was me as the VO, I would give significant weight to the fact that (according to what you wrote) you did things the 'right way'....that is, thru a K1 instead of the oh-so-typical B2->'mind change'-> Green Card/I 130 and thus it seems that you were raised to respect laws....but that's just my HO.

Remember, our laws presume that every applicant is an intending immigrant from the moment they step up to the window...the conversation does not begin in a neutral mode, but rather on the assumption that each tourist visa applicant is on their way to the US of A permanently.....that's in the INA (laws drafted and passed by our Congress, back when they could actually agree on something!)

Sadly there is no easy solution nor does there exist any mechanism for any kind of 'review' of her case...once decided, it's over. There is no appeal available. the only thing she can do is reapply and hope to convince the next VO of her bona fides.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

On the letter we explained that the purpose of the visit was only tourism and my husband as a combat veteran gave his word she wouldn't overstay nor engage in any illegal activity. But it doesn't matter anyway because the consul didn't even let her show the letter nor mention it. She brought to the interview a letter from her employer also, which happens to be Brazilian's biggest company and she works for them it's been 25 years, on the letter it said her vacations days and that she is not retiring or anything, she also brought her house title, showing that she owns the house but he didn't ask for anything at all! I really don't know what else could proof ties to Brazil besides the fact that her whole life is there, she owns a house and has an excellent job! =( However I know people that got a tourist visa having no ties to Brazil at all, I'm finding quite hard to figure out their standards on this matter.

Sweet heart, unfortunately uscis does give a damn about vets or active duty military members, and that's coming from a marine wife. From the military hotline , to invitation letters. Military likes to give you the illusion that when it comes down to it, they will treat you differently,but they won't.

[Frank and Racquel 18]

Actually that was a bit tongue in cheek. Since we have all been to the Philippines we try to pick a vacation place we can meet that will be different. Considering Penang this year.

I want to go to Singapore so bad, never been there yet.

[Boiler 45,520]

Blame it on the broken immigration system and people who abuse it.

[ndu26 114]

Blame it on the broken immigration system and people who abuse it.

[jkelly07 120]

i think they look over your application and have already made there decision,before you are called to the window, thats why your not allow to present any papers or other documents to the io to see and io won't look at any thing, his mine is made up denied,

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Thank you for your support MalaysianGirl! =)

You're welcome!

No! the exclamation mark and tone of reply is me upset with their consulates position on their Consular officers' autonomy with NIV decisions ...was NOT directed at you

Hee, no problems. Thanks for the clarification!

Actually that was a bit tongue in cheek. Since we have all been to the Philippines we try to pick a vacation place we can meet that will be different. Considering Penang this year.

Penang is awesome. If you do decide to visit Penang, I hope you have a blast! Eat all the wonderfully delicious foods if you can

[Casprd 167]

Hi bestofboston! The fact is she really doesn't intend to immigrate, she only wants to come visit! It is so unfair how the system works, it just pisses me off to see how many people come and overstay, staying illegally and causing this frustration to people like our mothers and loved ones that only intend to do things right.

The system is what it is because so many people have taken advantage of it. Every time someone comes on a tourist visa and gets married then adjusts status and stays, it adds another rung to the ladder that those of us who follow the rules have to climb. I think the only way that will change is if they change the laws so you can't adjust from a tourist visa. Be that as it may, as others have said, all you can do is wait and try again. I will however disagree that the invitation letter harms your case. Everyone I know who has had a relative come to visit has sent an invitation letter. Likewise people who have come on tours get invitation letters from the tour company. The invitation letter, if well written can help and certainly won't hurt.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think the only way that will change is if they change the laws so you can't adjust from a tourist visa.

The problem is not people who adjust, as very few people do that compared to the real problem, which is all the people who stay illegally forever.

[ndu26 114]

The problem is not people who adjust, as very few people do that compared to the real problem, which is all the people who stay illegally forever.

:rofl: serious issues here but very funny..."stay illegally forever". Dont wanna know how it feels to run from the law like that

[Linha87 0]

The system is what it is because so many people have taken advantage of it. Every time someone comes on a tourist visa and gets married then adjusts status and stays, it adds another rung to the ladder that those of us who follow the rules have to climb. I think the only way that will change is if they change the laws so you can't adjust from a tourist visa. Be that as it may, as others have said, all you can do is wait and try again. I will however disagree that the invitation letter harms your case. Everyone I know who has had a relative come to visit has sent an invitation letter. Likewise people who have come on tours get invitation letters from the tour company. The invitation letter, if well written can help and certainly won't hurt.

That's truth! I also agree that an invitation letter won't hurt but may even help! It is very frustrating to see all these illegals here and think that most of them actually got a visa before coming that def shows a hole on the system! The worst part is that they say that you have not showed enough proof of evidence compelling you to go back to your home country, however they never asked for any evidence and if they had asked on my mom's case she brought everything with her: house title, employer letter, taxes transcripts, pay check, everything! Anyway, it is what it is! We're gonna keep trying, not any time soon but eventually, specially because I don't know how it is in other countries but in Brazil the visa process for a tourist visa cost something about R$300! And that's not cheap at all! Anyway thank you all for the tips and advice! It's being really helpful! =)

[Noah Lot 391]

i think they look over your application and have already made there decision,before you are called to the window, thats why your not allow to present any papers or other documents to the io to see and io won't look at any thing, his mine is made up denied,

Not true. But documents are generally only used to doublecheck certain aspects of an applicant's story...if the VO believes the applicant, no papers are required; and, of course, if the VO does not believe an applicant, again, no documents will (likely) change that..the grey zone cases might be resolved (probably more in the direction of a denial than an approval) with documents....example: A person claims to have a high salary, and says they can pay for their 6 week trip to Orlando and Disneyland (which would cost the average family about $5000 with airfare)...the applicant's bank documents do not show hefty deposits that coincide with the claimed income...ooops....

Or, there are no regular deposits, but one great big one (totaling, amazingly, $5000!) made a week or two before the interview...when the applicant is asked about the source of this sudden and coincidental deposit, the answer is: 'I sold a car or some property'....of course, the VO then asks for the bill of sale or other papers that prove such a sale took place....and the applicant claims to have 'forgotten' that piece of paper....once again....denied.

Invitation letters might contain the wrong message...for example, the applicant claims that she is going to visit the ever popular 'family friend' but the inivitation is signed by 'uncle Fred' or 'cousin Joe'...hmmm...a lack of consistency will usually mean a denial. There are numerous other examples.

while the applications may well be reviewed, the questions posed will try to confirm the credibility (or lack thereof) of the applicant.