B2 Denied for Ukrainian Friend: Advice Please!

[gb6435 1]

VJ,

Good evening everyone - I appreciate any advice you can give for a situation with a visitor's visa that my friend's applied for.

My wife's Ukrainian friends were denied entry to the United States. They had their interview today and it was pretty short lived - they never looked at any documents, just simply saw the invitation that we wrote, looked at their passports, and verbally asked a couple of questions - that's it. Didn't last any more than two minutes. Her friend used to work as a travel agent, has been too many places over the world (a passport full of visas) and has filled out many applications for other clients to visit the United States so she's familiar with the process. Her friends were denied (wife, husband, kid all in one application) because the interviewee said there was not strong enough ties for them to ever return back to Ukraine. She works as a travel agent and her husband works as a freelance graphic designer and makes a good amount of money. They have no reason to stay here, there is no intention of any wrong doing, etc.

As we all know, it's horrible how someone can spend so much money ($500 for two adults and a child) to apply for a visa, have plenty of documents ready to show immigration and get denied. This news is absolutely hurtful and I'm wondering how to resolve this.

Does anyone know any stories about someone applying for a second time and getting approved? Is there any advice someone can offer us to give us some hope of friends being able to visit? Can someone tell us that there's some ray of hope on making this work?

Thank you everyone!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Unless their ties change one would expect the same result on their next attempt

[Dave&Roza 748]

VJ,

Good evening everyone - I appreciate any advice you can give for a situation with a visitor's visa that my friend's applied for.

My wife's Ukrainian friends were denied entry to the United States. They had their interview today and it was pretty short lived - they never looked at any documents, just simply saw the invitation that we wrote, looked at their passports, and verbally asked a couple of questions - that's it. Didn't last any more than two minutes. Her friend used to work as a travel agent, has been too many places over the world (a passport full of visas) and has filled out many applications for other clients to visit the United States so she's familiar with the process. Her friends were denied (wife, husband, kid all in one application) because the interviewee said there was not strong enough ties for them to ever return back to Ukraine. She works as a travel agent and her husband works as a freelance graphic designer and makes a good amount of money. They have no reason to stay here, there is no intention of any wrong doing, etc.

As we all know, it's horrible how someone can spend so much money ($500 for two adults and a child) to apply for a visa, have plenty of documents ready to show immigration and get denied. This news is absolutely hurtful and I'm wondering how to resolve this.

Does anyone know any stories about someone applying for a second time and getting approved? Is there any advice someone can offer us to give us some hope of friends being able to visit? Can someone tell us that there's some ray of hope on making this work?

Thank you everyone!

My wife applied for a tourist visa in 2008. Went into the Almaty Consulate and was denied. Two weeks later she returned to the same Consulate after a friend of ours contacted their Congressman and she wrote the invitation letter instead of me. First time was a young woman and the second time was a middle aged man who knew about where my wife worked. She was approved. The only differences were the invitation letter, contacting the Congressman, and the IO. IMHO I think it was the difference in IO that made a difference.

The entire family coming to visit the US is a bit hard to overcome. Now if the child stays at home or maybe the child and one parent, they would stand a better chance of being approved--has the husband been anywhere on a visa? You must remove all emotion from the equation. YOU and I know they will not stay, but the IO has only past experiences and the application to determine whether the applicant is going to immigrate to the US. During this process you are guilty until you prove otherwise and sometimes you really do not get to prove anything.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited March 13, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[gb6435 1]

Dave,

Thanks for the advice and your experience.

Husband has been to many countries and recently Bulgaria about a month ago... I know what you mean about taking emotion out of the equation. We're not completely upset about everything - we know that issuing visitor visas are hit or miss. It's just one giant inconvenience having to pay $500 to apply for 3 people, reapply not knowing, having to book flights, etc.

I've wrote my Senator once before and they seemed to be helpful when I was having long delays with my AOS.

Appreciate it!

[Boiler 45,486]

How many people move illegally to Bulgaria?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Typical experience.

Have them apply for Shengen visas for the EU, make a short trip to an EU country (Poland works) and try again. I bet they were asked if they ever had any other visas...right?

The average Ukrainian is not going to be able to show compelling ties to Ukraine in the eyes of the US consulate. Even a GOOD job in Ukraine does not pay much money and the REASON people immigrate illegally is to get a better income. Property can be sold and the money wired, money in the bank can be withdrawn by ATM.

The consulate rarely even looks at that stuff anyway. They look to see if they have a HISTORY of being granted visas and returning to Ukraine on a timely basis.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Specifically our daughter-in-law-to-be had a full paid scholarship at a top Russian university and was denied flat out.

She applied for a Shengen visa, visited Germany for 3 days, visited Poland for 3 days, came back and applied for the B" again and was granted it.

She since received a student visa also and is studying in Houston, TX

[gb6435 1]

Thanks Gary and Alla!

I'm almost thinking that when they reapply, they do it without their kid - which will obviously bring them back home after their trip the US. I'm actually leaving for Ukraine in 4 days and we'll be visiting them while we're there. I guess this is life and the way things are.

During their interview, they were never asked for their passport(s) to show them all the visas they have. His wife works in tourism and has visited many, many countries. It's just sad that the officers never give them the time of day to look at the documents that were well prepared that PROVE their ties, financial status, etc. It is what it is though.

Thanks for the advice though! Much appreciated!

[gb6435 1]

I wonder too... can they show I-134, Affidavit of Support and bring this into their interview showing that I'm financially and totally responsible for them? Is this something that can be brought to the interview?

[Dave&Roza 748]

I wonder too... can they show I-134, Affidavit of Support and bring this into their interview showing that I'm financially and totally responsible for them? Is this something that can be brought to the interview?

The I-134 is worth as much as the paper it is written on--i.e. not legally enforcable. I would say that 90% of all applications are determined by what is presented on paper before the interview. If they did not make copies of the passport showing the stamps then why would the IO even know they exist. Send all information you want them to look at with the application. Expect to give them nothing at the interview. That has seemed to work for us. I will say I was surprised that my MIL had no problems in getting her tourist visa last year and she has not been outside the FSU in a very long time and that was to Turkey.

The issue is not financial support. The issue was that the IO did not believe the entire family getting tourist visas to visit friends in the US were going to return. They might try for the husband getting a visa and if successful then the wife goes for hers. Given her history she might have an easier time in getting a tourist visa. Also, should the husband get denied again, they are only out his application fee.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited March 15, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[gb6435 1]

Thanks Dave and Roza, good advice.

[Boiler 45,486]

I do not know about the Ukraine, it seems leaving children behind is common in other countries. PI for example.

[cowboy333 3]

VJ,

Good evening everyone - I appreciate any advice you can give for a situation with a visitor's visa that my friend's applied for.

My wife's Ukrainian friends were denied entry to the United States. They had their interview today and it was pretty short lived - they never looked at any documents, just simply saw the invitation that we wrote, looked at their passports, and verbally asked a couple of questions - that's it. Didn't last any more than two minutes. Her friend used to work as a travel agent, has been too many places over the world (a passport full of visas) and has filled out many applications for other clients to visit the United States so she's familiar with the process. Her friends were denied (wife, husband, kid all in one application) because the interviewee said there was not strong enough ties for them to ever return back to Ukraine. She works as a travel agent and her husband works as a freelance graphic designer and makes a good amount of money. They have no reason to stay here, there is no intention of any wrong doing, etc.

As we all know, it's horrible how someone can spend so much money ($500 for two adults and a child) to apply for a visa, have plenty of documents ready to show immigration and get denied. This news is absolutely hurtful and I'm wondering how to resolve this.

Does anyone know any stories about someone applying for a second time and getting approved? Is there any advice someone can offer us to give us some hope of friends being able to visit? Can someone tell us that there's some ray of hope on making this work?

Thank you everyone!

[cowboy333 3]

my Vita tried to get avustors visa to come see me very much the same thing. very short visit. and was turn down. we wanted her to vist here frist before we went ahead with the marraige visa. to be sure she would be comfortable living here and leaving here family and the life she knew. after her rejection we took time to figure out what we wanted to do. we decide no matter what we want to be together and if that means me moving to the Ukraine we will. but we are going for a marraige visa frist. going on 901 days now and still waiting

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

VJ,

Good evening everyone - I appreciate any advice you can give for a situation with a visitor's visa that my friend's applied for.

My wife's Ukrainian friends were denied entry to the United States. They had their interview today and it was pretty short lived - they never looked at any documents, just simply saw the invitation that we wrote . . .

That alone may have killed their chances right then and there: having a support system in the United States where they can crash until they can escape into the darkness . . .