Should my girlfriend reapply or what do you suggest?

[Trymester3 6]

Hello,

My girlfriend of about 7 years applied for a student visa earlier this week and was denied. All of the paperwork seemed to be in order, but I'm not sure what happened. She is considering whether she should reapply or not. I was listed on her paperwork as her sponsor. Since I've been with her for so long, I would even consider going the marriage route to get her over here, but I don't really want to do that now, and also my paperwork wouldn't be able to show that I could provide financial support (even though I can). Any advice? I am a US Citizen and she is a Japanese Citizen.

[Little_My 464]

Without knowing why she was denied, it's impossible to say whether she should re-apply or not. It would make no point reapplying with the same paperwork as she did the first time, because that obviously didn't work out for her. Most likely, she wasn't able to convince the IO she had strong enough ties to Japan.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

What type of program was she accepted to, thus justifying her student visa?

Good luck

[Boiler 45,497]

Better if she uses her own funds.

[Que Saudade 284]

Did she have an I-20 from SEVIS?

[Trymester3 6]

-I really, really appreciate the replies. Would the interviewing person actually give the reason as to why she was denied, if she just straight up asked them?

-She was born and raised in Japan and her whole family is in Japan, so I don't know how she can have stronger ties to Japan.

-She was accepted to the P.I. Art Center in New York, I believe that she had a 3 classes a week program. Each semester was something like 4 months of study and 2 months of vacation.

-If I remember correctly, Yes, I believe she has a Sevis number

-I guess it is better to show that she is her own sponsor rather than having me as the sponsor, but she doesn't have enough money of her own, and I don't really think her mother wants to help her. Plus, maybe we kind of rushed things, so that's why my name and money was presented as sponsorship.

****She's worried that since she was already denied (this just happened like 1 week ago), that if she reapplies again, and is denied again, it may look really bad on her record. What do you think? Also, if she applied again and put her self as the sponsor, would that raise red flags with the Visa Officers because she changed sponsors? Would she be able to make a quick change, or would she have to start the whole process over and get another i-20, because she received that with me as a sponsor?

Any help would be appreciated.

Edited August 19, 2012 by Trymester3

[canadian_wife 1,822]

What sort of program is the PI Art Center?

Family ties are weak, as it is assumed that she will grow up and eventually leave her family, especially if her boyfriend is in the US and financially sponsoring her

The financials have already been recorded, even if she applies as her own sponsor she can expect questions.

What happened to the school's offer? When does the program start?

Good luck

[Darnell 8,478]

did she show acceptance letter during interview ? or was it already in the casefile ?

[Boiler 45,497]

what sort of degree is she studying, BA, MA what?

[Trymester3 6]

did she show acceptance letter during interview ? or was it already in the casefile ?

I'm not sure if she did. I have to ask her. Her semester was supposed to start on October 1st.

It isn't for a BA or MA, she was trying to go to ART school because she's more interested in ART than in studying English at an ESL school

[Que Saudade 284]

So one of the requirements for the student visa is

-Possess sufficient funds to pursue the proposed course of study.

Since you were the sponsor, did you show sufficient funds for the course of study?

I am inclined to think that since you were the sponsor, even if you showed sufficient funds to complete the course of study (tuition, books etc...) that since her family was not contributing (which would be the norm for students) that this raised some questions.

As for as the letter of acceptance question, she could not have had a SEVIS generated I-20 from the university had she not been accepted.

Edited August 19, 2012 by Que Saudade

[Boiler 45,497]

I looked at the web site it said the college had 100% guaranteed acceptance.

It seemed the way they promote themselves more a mill for F1 students.

I suggest she re focus and decide on a more testing programme with a more recognised school.

[Trymester3 6]

So one of the requirements for the student visa is

-Possess sufficient funds to pursue the proposed course of study.

Since you were the sponsor, did you show sufficient funds for the course of study?

I am inclined to think that since you were the sponsor, even if you showed sufficient funds to complete the course of study (tuition, books etc...) that since her family was not contributing (which would be the norm for students) that this raised some questions.

As for as the letter of acceptance question, she could not have had a SEVIS generated I-20 from the university had she not been accepted.

I believe I had to show $12,000 in my account for tuition/housing. I showed $18,000 (which is more than enough because my rent is already pre-paid till about Feb. anyway).

Edited August 19, 2012 by Trymester3

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Odd question, but is your girlfriend pregant? Your screen same is Trymester3 (perhaps 3rd Trimester)?

sorry for the personal question, but a pregnant girlfriend applying for a visa at the PI art centre with 100% acceptance rate is surely going to be denied

Good luck

[dwheels76 5,468]

How exactly were you presented as a sponsor. Does it say you are a family friend, boyfriend fiance? Ask her what she was asked and what she said.

How old are you and her? I mean a young college student yourself with $18000 in the banl I would think raises red flags.

I think they may have guessed you are a couple and her mission is just to get here and stay. You said yourself you would marry her.

You need to find out exactly what was asked and answered.

Canadian_wife good observation. WOW!