Visitor B1/B2 declined. Visitor Visa declined; Reapplying, better prepared. Advice would be appreciated

[Hopeful_2015 0]

OP,

Thanks for agreeing to let us know the results.

As you correctly pointed out, "The officer didn't ask any questions relating to my ties here: the D160 didn't provide much opportunity to capture that info." You're right, sadly it doesn't.

Agree with MacUK, perhaps you'll get a different CO and have a better chance. $160 to find out as far as I'm concerned and it doesn't seem a consideration for you either.

Regards.

Hence my will to reapply. This time I'll be confident too!! Yesterday I was a bit rattled by the process, since everybody is able to hear what I'm saying to the officer. Didn't expect that!

I've just received the affidavit from my daughter's father, along with certified copies of his passport and ID. Also our Parent Plan.

Just want the interview to happen already!!

[Hopeful_2015 0]

Good luck OP.

In my case I wasn't able to hand in evidence to back my case in the UK, but in Japan I was able to hand in evidence before being interviewed in Japan, and I got my B2. Not sure how it works in S Africa.

Here there's no indication that docs can be handed in prior to the interview. I'll just have to go and honestly state that there are some relevant facts which I didn't have an opportunity to present during my first interview...

Would it help if my friend does his supporting letter as a sworn affidavit rather than the current email? Could he mention the fact that we are just friends and blah blah blah?

[Boiler 45,837]

The friend is likely to be the complicating factor for reasons mentioned above.

I would focus on your own finances and need to return. Having a friend paying for it is a negative I believe.

[Hopeful_2015 0]

The friend is likely to be the complicating factor for reasons mentioned above.

I would focus on your own finances and need to return. Having a friend paying for it is a negative I believe.

Noted.

He's written a letter of support stating:

To whom it may concern

This letter is to confirm my intent to host (my name) at my residence in (his address) From (dates of stay in US) During this time, I will be giving (my name) a tour of (his state) and the surrounding areas. It will also be my intent to share (his state) cultural and culinary gifts.

If needed, please feel free to contact me for further inquiry regarding this matter.

He isn't paying for my flight (my best friend is and has drafted an affidavit to confirm) and I have funds in my bank account. Yes, I'm aware I should focus on my own situation, specifically ties to my own country, which wasn't the focus during the first interview. Thank you.

[msbau764 245]

Hi

My visitor visa was declined yesterday. I think it was based on the fact that I'm divorced, visiting a friend I met online 4 years ago. My friend, a guy, in the States has provided a letter of support, and this is meant to be a legitimate holiday. I have a job, home and kids here at home, but the officer didn't give me the chance to highlight those factors...

The officer didn't ask any questions relating to my ties here: the D160 didn't provide much opportunity to capture that info. He also didn't look at any documents. I couldn't indicate I have 2 kids, renting a home since 2012, have been at my job since 2008...

I hope to highlight my ties here with the next interview - they'll see that I've been declined, so I will mention I was and reapplied because I felt I have circumstances which wasn't asked about during initial interview, and wish to have it considered.

I reapplied again, captured same information but put down my best friend as paying for my trip (flight was my birthday gift from her, and she's drafting a letter to confirm as well as provide evidence of payment for the flight) previously I had indicated I was paying, because at the time of application I didn't know she was gifting me with the trip!

My daughter's father and I have a parenting plan drawn up by a lawyer in 2012, stating we have joint, shared responsibility for her. He is also getting an affidavit to prove that he is her father etc and to state this holidays is his turn to have her.

I have a letter from my work, as well as unabridged certificates for both children. Also my lease agreement showing my lease period is till August 2015.

I plan to draw up an itinerary of places to visit within the state I'll be visiting. My flights are booked for 27/12/2014, return 20/01/2015.

Do you think I stand a chance of being approved? Anything I should do/not do/say/not say? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

Never book your flights without the visa in hand. Many consulates view that as forcing their hand.

[msbau764 245]

Noted.

He's written a letter of support stating:

To whom it may concern

This letter is to confirm my intent to host (my name) at my residence in (his address) From (dates of stay in US) During this time, I will be giving (my name) a tour of (his state) and the surrounding areas. It will also be my intent to share (his state) cultural and culinary gifts.

If needed, please feel free to contact me for further inquiry regarding this matter.

He isn't paying for my flight (my best friend is and has drafted an affidavit to confirm) and I have funds in my bank account. Yes, I'm aware I should focus on my own situation, specifically ties to my own country, which wasn't the focus during the first interview. Thank you.

Have you traveled to a fully industrialised country?

France, UK, Germany, Hong Kong, or Japan before?

[Hopeful_2015 0]

Have you traveled to a fully industrialised country?

France, UK, Germany, Hong Kong, or Japan before?

I was on a two week holiday in the UK, in 2005.

[Hopeful_2015 0]

I'm just curious. My application for this visa was declined. But I found it strange that, while filling out the information, it didn't request information re whether I have kids or not (Family Information) that unsettled me a bit because I knew that my kids are my tie to my country. The application without this information makes it look as though I'm single and traveling on my own, no real ties except for my job, no kids. Also home address doesn't ask for length of stay at residence. Also, under spouse details it does ask whether we have kids...

The above omissions were obviously not put forth during my interview because the officer asked questions based on what was captured.

Could the fact that I'm a mother, going for a holiday on her own be seen as reason to immigrate? I have a Parent Plan with my ex partner (he is not my ex spouse ) and we have shared responsibility for our 8 year old daughter. It's his turn to have her this holiday, hence perfect time for my little holiday.

Thoughts?

[Hopeful_2015 0]

I'm just curious. My application for this visa was declined. But I found it strange that, while filling out the information, it didn't request information re whether I have kids or not (Family Information) that unsettled me a bit because I knew that my kids are my tie to my country. The application without this information makes it look as though I'm single and traveling on my own, no real ties except for my job, no kids. Also home address doesn't ask for length of stay at residence. Also, under spouse details it does ask whether we have kids...

The above omissions were obviously not put forth during my interview because the officer asked questions based on what was captured.

Could the fact that I'm a mother, going for a holiday on her own be seen as reason to immigrate? I have a Parent Plan with my ex partner (he is not my ex spouse ) and we have shared responsibility for our 8 year old daughter. It's his turn to have her this holiday, hence perfect time for my little holiday.

Thoughts?

Meant: Also, under spouse details it does not ask whether we have kids...

[Aahil 90]

plzz do share your 2nd interview once u r done with it. my parents was also denied last week..everything was ok.still got denied

[asisflyer 47]

OPINIONS/SUGGESTIONS:

1. STEPPING STONE MECHANISM: To be a Bona Fide Tourist - You go places - You come home. Climb the ladder first.

a. Get NZ or AUS or UK or EU or JAPAN or KOREA first. Take a trip. Return home. Establish profile.

b. Get VISAs for countries you may or may not travel to. Fill a few pages in passport.

c. If your passport is 100% blank - consider the visa waiver list for passport and start there.

-- If you get a B1/B2 with no stamps in your passport--- POE is going to have more questions for you most likely anyway and rightly so.

2. Fund your own trip. Many countries work with the bond/guarantor concept for tourists, but I think you're better of being self-funded. Determine if you are a tourist or on a social visit. A tourist can visit friends along the way. They probably won't ask for the bank reference, but have it available anyway and enough to cover a full touristic trip. Lower risk presented by 7 day luxury tourist than 120 day backpacker.

3. Touristic Itinerary:

a. Actual reservations at business grade hotels on your route: Sheraton, Hyatt, etc.

b. Quotations/Real Names / etc. for Tour Companies, Museums, routes, etc.

c. Car Rental Reservations

d. Make a formal itinerary with a lot of detail - do research - figure our what kind of activities you'll do on your holiday.

4. 2nd TRIP After US Trip: Book discount non-refundable/non-changeable ticket from your home country a few months after end of US trip. AFTER you would return from your US Itinerary. Show the future travel on itinerary. If you are a bona fide tourist as you say, then no issue.

5. Propose a shorter trip to US. Say 7 days. I presume your job needs you back to work as a valuable employee and your children need you. Your money also goes further on a shorter trip. Shorter trip is more consistent with your description of your life at home.

6. Get Schenzen Visa or similar first and show STOPOVER trips on your return-itinerary (post-USA) -- with hotel reservations in EU on the way back. You have plans on the way back. You can substitute UK or similar depending on the airline you use.

7. Have 2 Entries to USA on USA trip: Put a Caribbean trip into the routing where you plan a Double Entry........ your friend could book it as joint travel. Most islands will accept most passports with US visas in them.

8. Social Visit Friend is leaving US with you anyways: Have your friend book a ticket to your post-USA Stopover together. Regular things that tourists do.

9. Professional Licenses / Education - they may not ask - but it doesn't mean you can't offer info to establish profile and ties. Like it or not, the CO uses gut instincts a lot and profile people. They read people. After a few thousand, they develop skills/hunches/etc. Sometimes Dentists become Doormen in U.S. if license doesn't transfer. Professional licensing reduces the chance of someone staying.

10. CO personality conflict - good day vs. bad day - The CO could have had some questionable applicants in front on your and been a denial role or maybe just had a rough night the time before. Remember COs are regular people just like you and we all have good and bad days.

Try again in a month or two with better documentation, proper funding, more travel experience.

Hope it helps.

[Kanja 202]

The OP has said about twice now that they visited the UK in 2005. Although about ten years ago, that must count for SOMETHING.

[Boiler 45,837]

I have visited 30 odd countries but in younger foolish days was refused a B.

[Ning 619]

I was denied once, if it's twice based on the second tries info, then there goes my US holiday. The return ticket/lease aren't the main things for my reapplication, but couple that with my kids and my job....?

I was denied 3 times even when I explained I would be leaving my 9 year old daughter behind. Job doesn't help because people change jobs all the time.

I hope you do get the visa of course & it is possible but chances are slim.

[asisflyer 47]

I was denied 3 times even when I explained I would be leaving my 9 year old daughter behind. Job doesn't help because people change jobs all the time.

I hope you do get the visa of course & it is possible but chances are slim.

Department of State publishes the approve/denial rates on B1, B2, and B1/B2 visa types by embassy and by nationality.

Have a look at your respective embassy/consulate.

2014 THAILAND B1/B2 REFUSAL RATE: 10.2% (with around 50k total non-immigrant per year) --- much lower than in prior years. among the low risk country approval rates.

GAMBIA is 69% REFUSAL, PHILLIPINES 24.6% REFUSAL, MEXICO 15.6% REFUSAL

SOUTH AFRICA 2.6% REFUSAL RATE on B1/B2 = 97.4% Approved. You might have been the CO only B1/B2 refusal of the day !!!

2013 WORLDWIDE NON IMMIGRANT VISA DATA - FROM US DEPARTMENT OF STATE:

Issued / Refused / Workload / Waived

B1 41,956 14,113 56,069 7,934

B1/B2 5,645,580 1,484,912 7,130,492 377,224 ( 79% APPROVAL RATE WORLDWIDE BLENDED COMBO B1/B2)

B2 114,526 107,226 221,752 26,572