Tourist visa after 2 refusals

[Hennesey887 0]

Hi guys, let me explain the situation.

I was in USA in 2011 for two months, visa type was B1/B2 , it was a business trip with invitation from our office HQ in Chicago.

I stayed there 2 months and back to my country.

After it i left that company, founded my own business here which is related to Software Development. Since 2014 I got rejected twice for B1/B2 visa to visit USA again, under 214b.

In both cases i was attending conference and had all the necessary docs for it with invitation letter.

First time when officer refused my visa application he was kind of crazy man because he was really nervous and trying prove me that I violated the B1/B2 visa rules. Because it was strange for him to stay in USA for 2 months, though before giving visa consular officer knew that I'm asking for two months and I'm going to stay there two months.

Second time after an (1.5 years) when they refused my visa application, consular officer was more friendly , but again without any explanation refused my application, even without looking at my docs.

Currently I'm willing to attend conference but I'm afraid they will refuse visa application again without any reason.

Maybe I'm applying to wrong type of visa ?

Because there is no other explanation of their behavior. They are telling that I don't have enough strong ties, but i have here a company )))

I have good travel history have been in almost all European countries including United Kingdom, and some other countries.

Can someone give an advice how to be ? because my business is really connected to country like United States and I have to visit it constantly, and stupid decisions like that is preventing my business to grow.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

What country are you originally from?

Tell me more about the first trip, how long were you granted to stay in the U.S.? You say you stayed 2 months but were you authorized to stay for 2 months or did you stay longer than what the border agent said you could?

Just trying to figure this out.

Good luck

[Hennesey887 0]

i was authorized to stay 3 months, I stayed 2 months.

As a Lead software developer I was invited to our office HQ to participate a knowledge transfers sessions and some meetings with our Clients, in order to understand their needs and make product for them.

I'm originally from Armenia.

EDIT

I really don't remember what border agent said but remember he asked me why am I here.

When i was going back I haven't' pass any border control, and no one told me that I violated something.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Hennesey887

[Cheezees 1,514]

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi guys, let me explain the situation.

I was in USA in 2011 for two months, visa type was B1/B2 , it was a business trip with invitation from our office HQ in Chicago.

I stayed there 2 months and back to my country.

After it i left that company, founded my own business here which is related to Software Development. Since 2014 I got rejected twice for B1/B2 visa to visit USA again, under 214b.

In both cases i was attending conference and had all the necessary docs for it with invitation letter.

First time when officer refused my visa application he was kind of crazy man because he was really nervous and trying prove me that I violated the B1/B2 visa rules. Because it was strange for him to stay in USA for 2 months, though before giving visa consular officer knew that I'm asking for two months and I'm going to stay there two months.

Second time after an (1.5 years) when they refused my visa application, consular officer was more friendly , but again without any explanation refused my application, even without looking at my docs. There is no reason to look at your documents that you brought to the interview since none of it can be verified while you get your interview. The CO reviewed your visa application. You were given an explanation - strong ties not sufficient to overcome presumption of immigration.

Currently I'm willing to attend conference but I'm afraid they will refuse visa application again without any reason. You were given a reason. You may not have understood it, but you were given a reason.

Maybe I'm applying to wrong type of visa ?

Because there is no other explanation of their behavior. They are telling that I don't have enough strong ties, but i have here a company ))) Well that seems to be a reason, lack of strong ties. Contradict your earlier statement that you weren't given a reason.

I have good travel history have been in almost all European countries including United Kingdom, and some other countries.

Can someone give an advice how to be ? because my business is really connected to country like United States and I have to visit it constantly, and stupid decisions like that is preventing my business to grow. Stupid decisions preventing you from growing your business. Did not know you had a right to grow your business here.

In your own words contradicting yourself - you were given a reason for the denial - lack of strong ties - despite you repeating that you weren't given a reason. Develop strong ties to your country. Also, the US is not under an obligation to give you a visa so you can grow your business in the US.

[Hennesey887 0]

In your own words contradicting yourself - you were given a reason for the denial - lack of strong ties - despite you repeating that you weren't given a reason. Develop strong ties to your country. Also, the US is not under an obligation to give you a visa so you can grow your business in the US.

without any reason I meant, without any reason with explanation.

What does it mean strong ties ? If they refuse application under that section at lest they have to define what is strong tie

I have a company with 10+ employees, isn't it strong tie with my country?

this is what i meant without any reason. Its really telling me nothing.

about last part of your quote. No one told that they are under obligation, but how would you fill in my place when your business partners are waiting to you there, you promise them that you gonna be there, and someone here in the embassy just because he wants he think you don't have enough ties.

[aaron2020 11,651]

without any reason I meant, without any reason with explanation. You were given a reason and an explanation - lack strong ties to home. It's not the US Embassy's job to tell you how to get over the lack of ties. It's a totality of your circumstances.

What does it mean strong ties ? It's a subjective look at the totality of your circumstances. If they refuse application under that section at lest they have to define what is strong tie That has been defined based on a totality of circumstances. You just want them to give you specific examples of how you can overcome the lack of strong ties. It's not the US Embassy's job to help you.

I have a company with 10+ employees, isn't it strong tie with my country? Maybe, maybe not depending on the totality of your circumstances. No one factor is determinative. Once again, it's a totality of your circumstances and not one factor.

this is what i meant without any reason. Its really telling me nothing. You are wrong. The reason is lack of ties. You have been told this, but you don't seem to understand it.

about last part of your quote. No one told that they are under obligation, but how would you fill in my place when your business partners are waiting to you there, you promise them that you gonna be there, and someone here in the embassy just because he wants he think you don't have enough ties. Disappointed but understanding that the US does not owe me a US visa to expand my business. You should not have told your business partners that you will go to the US when you don't have a visa. That's your fault, not the US Embassy for denying your visa.

[Boiler 45,948]

Close family, property, job with a good salary, basically all the stuff you need to show you would be silly to stay in the US and not return home.

[KierenHby 899]

Can someone give an advice how to be ? because my business is really connected to country like United States and I have to visit it constantly, and stupid decisions like that is preventing my business to grow.

No one told that they are under obligation, but how would you fill in my place when your business partners are waiting to you there, you promise them that you gonna be there, and someone here in the embassy just because he wants he think you don't have enough ties.

Visa Officers make a decision based on the ds160 and the in-person interview. They're authorized to deny your application if they're not convinced of your ties to home. With hundreds of daily interviews, COs do not have the luxury to issue a detailed reason for every denial; hence the standard 214b.

Making your business grow, or promises to business partners.. are not the US embassy's responsibility, whether you're interviewed in Armenia or India or any other nation. A US visa is a privilege, not a right, irrespective of your past travels.

[Hennesey887 0]

are you really serious ? i mean do you believe what you say or its just the rules how they should behave ?

I really can't see any logic behind it.

Its the same like CO can tell me that I violated a rule during my stay in USA, and i have to prove the opposite.

Really ? and how to prove it ? and yes this is my duty and not their own right ?

With same logic they can blame anyone to anything right ?

In Netherland I have a lot of relatives, and during visa interview I've told them this fact , but after they gave me a 1 year multi visa. No one told me you have strong ties with Netherland rather than with Armenia. Because they really understood the circumstances.

Lack of strong ties could be reasonable if you don't have job or family or money in bank account, but not in my position.

I'll not list all the reasons why i should back to my country, but believe me there is no something that they can argue with.

Ah and yes, what you would suggest guys ))) try or not to try again ?

for me seems they are just earning money for government, though it sounds ridiculous.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Hennesey887

[Boiler 45,948]

Do you live in the Netherlands? If so when are you eligible for Citizenship?

[aaron2020 11,651]

are you really serious ? Yes, I am serious. i mean do you believe what you say or its just the rules how they should behave ? The rules does not require me to believe or not, i simply have to comply.

I really can't see any logic behind it.

Its the same like CO can tell me that I violated a rule during my stay in USA, and i have to prove the opposite. Not how it goes. The burden is on you, it's not on the CO.

Really ? and how to prove it ? and yes this is my duty and not their own right ? With your ties. Yes, it's your burden to prove strong ties. US Embassy does not need to prove anything.

With same logic they can blame anyone to anything right ? The burden is on you to prove strong ties. The burden is not on the US Embassy to prove anything.

In Netherland I have a lot of relatives, and during visa interview I've told them this fact , but after they gave me a 1 year multi visa. No one told me you have strong ties with Netherland rather than with Armenia. Because they really understood the circumstances.

Lack of strong ties could be reasonable if you don't have job or family or money in bank account, but not in my position.

I'll not list all the reasons why i should back to my country, but believe me there is no something that they can argue with.

Ah and yes, what you would suggest guys ))) try or not to try again ? We can not tell you what ties you need since no one fact is determinative. You have to rely on the totality of your circumstances.

for me seems they are just earning money for government, though it sounds ridiculous. It sounds ridiculous because it is. The US does not need to cheat you out of your $160.

The best you can do is improve your ties to your home country. Get Netherland citizenship.

[Hennesey887 0]

Do you live in the Netherlands? If so when are you eligible for Citizenship?

No I'm not living in Netherland, I just gave an example , that I have there 3 uncles,and I think its really a strong tie with that country but the Embassy of Netherland gave me multi visa for one year to visit Netherland .

I have no one i USA, and really have enough mind to not stay there illegally , because I'm doing business here first and the second

life condition in my country would be much better than in USA when you would be no one without any document.

This is how logical chain is working, in the embassy unfortunately I saw nothing close to it.

Even when they gave me visa first time, the interview was as shorter as it was possible. 2 simple Questions and then Congrats have a good trip.

I'm sure nothing depends to interview, they know the answer before you go to the interview, and no matter what you answer them, Their answer is prepared before. Unless they decided to give you a visa and you ruin everything during the interview.

The best you can do is improve your ties to your home country. Get Netherland citizenship.

Are you kidding me? improve ties to my home country is having another country citizenship ?

[Love To Teach 161]

When I first read this, I thought my husband had written it. He is from Pakistan. He has had a tour company for 25 years. He was allowed to come to the USA for business conferences prior to 9-11. After that, they apparently are not allowing people to come here as freely on business. And it is even worse lately. He doesn't even bother to apply.

[Cathi 5,783]

are you really serious ? i mean do you believe what you say or its just the rules how they should behave ?

I really can't see any logic behind it.

Its the same like CO can tell me that I violated a rule during my stay in USA, and i have to prove the opposite.

Really ? and how to prove it ? and yes this is my duty and not their own right ?

With same logic they can blame anyone to anything right ?

In Netherland I have a lot of relatives, and during visa interview I've told them this fact , but after they gave me a 1 year multi visa. No one told me you have strong ties with Netherland rather than with Armenia. Because they really understood the circumstances.

Lack of strong ties could be reasonable if you don't have job or family or money in bank account, but not in my position.

I'll not list all the reasons why i should back to my country, but believe me there is no something that they can argue with.

Ah and yes, what you would suggest guys ))) try or not to try again ?

for me seems they are just earning money for government, though it sounds ridiculous.

Then go to the Netherlands. We have immigration rules and laws, like it or not. It is YOUR fault you told your business partners you were coming before you even applied. NEVER assume that just because you were issued a visa in the past it will happen again. The world has changed a lot in the last few years. nothing is as easy as it once was and nothing is a given. Sitting here slamming people because you don't like their answers isn't going to change the fact that you need stronger ties to your country, or no visa. We aren't here to give you the answers you want or to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You asked a question, many people gave you the correct answer yet you still sit and argue. Give it a rest.

Edited August 9, 2016 by mimolicious