Does rejected B2 visa bear influence on B1 application?

[diego11 0]

I got rejected for the tourist B2 visa, but I'd like to apply for a B1 now, because I really wasn't sure what type of visa do I need (I falsely thought I can't get B2 visa since I'm unemployed and heard that B1/B2 are issued together, anyway). Can I apply for a B2 now, adding a 2-day sport manifestation I want to take part in as a reason of visit (even though I do plan to visit it as a tourist, too). Thanks

Edited October 18, 2013 by diego11

[Boiler 45,979]

You can apply as often as you like.

[Cathi 5,783]

You can apply as often as you wish, but it doesn't mean you will be approved. Make sure you meet the requirements before applying again.

[kzielu 1,149]

I got rejected for the tourist B2 visa, but I'd like to apply for a B1 now, because I really wasn't sure what type of visa do I need (I falsely thought I can't get B2 visa since I'm unemployed and heard that B1/B2 are issued together, anyway). Can I apply for a B2 now, adding a 2-day sport manifestation I want to take part in as a reason of visit (even though I do plan to visit it as a tourist, too). Thanks

As others said, apply as frequently as you want, but your chances of getting it will be rather remote. There is little difference in application process between B1 and B2 (and you seem to confuse them in your post), you're 2-day sport manifestation will unlikely to be treated as a good reason to provide B1 having been denied B2 earlier. Think about it twice, unless you really want to $160 (if I recall correctly) lighter...

[diego11 0]

Thanx. Yeah, I'm confusing it again in the original post - I got rejected for B2, and now I'd like to apply for B1 adding the invitation letter from the sport team.

[Harsh_77 718]

You can try again with the invitation letter but in most cases these invitation letters do not hold much value.

It is well known fact with immigration officials that even athletes at Olympic level abscond after getting visa to play in events.

[diego11 0]

Yes, I know what you mean, because I've heard of many cases of rejected visa with the letter of invitation, and even the official site of the embasy states: "They will most likely have no positive or negative effect on the outcome of your interview."

However, under business visa there's this section:

"Participants in sporting events, in addition to the documents described in "Basic documents and photographs," must also present the following:

Letter of invitation from the event organizers that lists the names of all those traveling
Letter from the relevant sports association that lists the names of all travelers and their role in the event
Documentation showing individual and/or group participation in similar events (for example press clips, awards and old passports with visas)"

I guess it wouldn't be too hard to get those letters (and my passport is full of other visas). However, as I already got rejected for the tourist visa (twice in two months) I'm afraid I'll be a perfect candidate for a "boy cried wolf" even when I do state my true intentions (but I really wasn't aware how would I get to a tryout but with a tourist visa).

Edited October 18, 2013 by diego11

[jaycali 415]

Yes, I know what you mean, because I've heard of many cases of rejected visa with the letter of invitation, and even the official site of the embasy states: "They will most likely have no positive or negative effect on the outcome of your interview."

However, under business visa there's this section:

"Participants in sporting events, in addition to the documents described in "Basic documents and photographs," must also present the following:

Letter of invitation from the event organizers that lists the names of all those traveling

Letter from the relevant sports association that lists the names of all travelers and their role in the event

Documentation showing individual and/or group participation in similar events (for example press clips, awards and old passports with visas)"

I guess it wouldn't be too hard to get those letters (and my passport is full of other visas). However, as I already got rejected for the tourist visa (twice in two months) I'm afraid I'll be a perfect candidate for a "boy cried wolf" even when I do state my true intentions (but I really wasn't aware how would I get to a tryout but with a tourist visa).

B1 and B2 visas are issued together. You can attend a sporting event on a B2 and you can visit Disneyland on a B1. No real difference. Your recent application does not deem you ineligible for another application, but the dept of state clearly states that unless your situation has changed significantly (i.e. you were unemployed, but now steadily employed) the outcome will likely be the same.

When applying for a visitor visa, whether for business or tourism purposes, the embassy does not care whether the purpose is to visit the Grand Canyon, attend a conference or to visit your long lost relative. As long as the purpose is business/tourism, and they believe you'll 1. not overstay, and 2. be able to afford your trip without working illegally, the visa will be issued. You'll have to find the underlying reason why your visa was rejected in the first place. If you were unemployed, that's a good guess. Depending on what country you're from, the embassy probably believes that you have very little to lose by staying in the US and working/living illegally. Unless they're satisfied that this is not the case, your application will not be approved.

[diego11 0]

Thanx for a thorough answer! The things is, this kind of sport manifestation is actually an indoor soccer open try out for anyone who wants to take part (including foreigners) as a chance to make the team. You see my problem here - the team from US won't guarantee employment until they see me in try outs, but in order to reach the try out I need a visa, and that's where my confusion comes from at the first place - What is a legal way to do that? As I'm obviously "hinting" - if I do make the team, I'll stay in the US until the end of a soccer season (5 months), and I will change my visa to working visa with the help of the US soccer team (even though I've been planning in either case to go back to homeland and graduate)?

[Boiler 45,979]

There is no such visa that allows you to do that.

[jaycali 415]

Thanx for a thorough answer! The things is, this kind of sport manifestation is actually an indoor soccer open try out for anyone who wants to take part (including foreigners) as a chance to make the team. You see my problem here - the team from US won't guarantee employment until they see me in try outs, but in order to reach the try out I need a visa, and that's where my confusion comes from at the first place - What is a legal way to do that? As I'm obviously "hinting" - if I do make the team, I'll stay in the US until the end of a soccer season (5 months), and I will change my visa to working visa with the help of the US soccer team (even though I've been planning in either case to go back to homeland and graduate)?

There is no visa for that, as boiler mentioned. You would have to try out, go back home and then get the appropriate visa, I believe the appropriate visa would be P1, which your team then has to sponsor you for.

[diego11 0]

I understand, but I come from a country (Serbia) which is not in the waiver program, and I can't attend the tryout (even if it is for only 2 days) without any kind of visa (whether it's a work or a tourist visa). That's why I applied for the B2 initially, but then I found this information regarding B1 classification :

"(6) An amateur team sports player who is asked to join a professional team during the course of the regular professional season or playoffs for brief try-outs (The teams may provide only for such expenses as round-trip fare, hotel room, meals, and other try-out transportation costs)"

http://www.tnvisabulletin.com/permissible-b-1-visa-business/

or this:

"B-1 visa: This type of visa can be used under certain circumstances for an athlete to visit the U.S. for a specific event such as a try-out or sporting match."

http://www.visanow.com/for-businesses/immigration-services/sports-entertainment-visas

Edited October 18, 2013 by diego11

[jaycali 415]

I understand, but I come from a country (Serbia) which is not in the waiver program, and I can't attend the tryout (even if it is for only 2 days) without any kind of visa (whether it's a work or a tourist visa). That's why I applied for the B2 initially, but then I found this information regarding B1 classification :

"(6) An amateur team sports player who is asked to join a professional team during the course of the regular professional season or playoffs for brief try-outs (The teams may provide only for such expenses as round-trip fare, hotel room, meals, and other try-out transportation costs)"

http://www.tnvisabulletin.com/permissible-b-1-visa-business/

Yes, the B1/B2 visa is definitely the appropriate visa to apply for, and with that visa you would be able to try out.

But that's not why your visa was refused at the embassy. Did they tell you that you needed to apply for a different visa?

I don't think the problem here is that you applied for the wrong visa. I think the problem is that you're unable to show strong ties to Serbia. In issuing a visitor visa, whether for business or tourism, the embassy doesn't care whether you're attending a soccer game, or plan to go to Walt Disney World. Their job is to make sure they only issue you a visa if they believe you'll return to Serbia after your trip. In determining whether you're likely to return, or whether they see you as a risk of overstay, they take into account your situation in Serbia.

They look at your employment, income, assets family ties, education and so forth. Put it this way, if you're unemployed, their fear is that you'll land in the US, try out for the soccer game, get a job under the table and disappear in the masses of other illegal aliens and visa overstayer - That's the presumption you have to overcome at the interview.

Edited October 18, 2013 by jaycali

[jaycali 415]

Put it this way, in the eyes of a US consular officer:

1. If you own a house, have a steady job, a wife, a dog and two kids in school, you'd be crazy to stay and work illegally in the US. More often than not, visa issued, no problem.

2. If you're unemployed, on a month-to-month apartment lease and no strong family ties, you'd probably actually be better off working illegally in the US than to return home. Visa denied more often than not.

In other words, they don't really care why you're going, they look at why you'll return.

Edited October 18, 2013 by jaycali

[diego11 0]

Actually, as I applied for B2 I told the officer that I'm going as a tourist to sightsee, without mentioning the tryout. I think you're right in what you're saying, and somehow my assumption now is that it would have been better to mention the tryout, even if that means that I'm obviously planning to stay for a while in US if I pass the tryout.

Did they tell you that you needed to apply for a different visa?