boyfriend denied visa in Seoul

[cinn-sugar 3]

We live in South Korea, and were planning to take a trip to the USA to visit my family for two weeks over Christmas. My boyfriend is from Pakistan, and I am a US citizen. He is a full time PhD candidate here. He was denied his B2 visa, the consular said that they get a lot of students in there and they don't have strong enough ties to Korea to get a visa.

She only asked him a couple of questions, but didn't even look at his bank statements or ask about his schooling to decide if he would come back to finish his degree. She just asked where he was going, where he was staying, and why. Then she said he would have to make different plans for Christmas.

I understand that they think he doesn't have strong enough reasons to return to Korea, but is there a way to even GET them to look at the evidence? She didn't even ask what his situation was. All we wanted was a chance for him to visit my family and experience the USA for a few weeks before having to get back to school in January.

[millefleur 5,047]

If there were some magic way to get them to look at the evidence, I'd love to know as well.

Did he mention that you were his girlfriend and he was going to visiting your family during the interview?

[cinn-sugar 3]

Yes he did mention that.

[Kastrs 723]

Having a USC girlfriend does not necessarily help, it may hurt his case for a B2

And no the IO is not compelled to look at any supporting evidence

Try to see it from the IOs point of view, presumably your boyfriend is on a student visa and needs to return to Pakistan upon completion of his studies. He does not have a fabulous job or a ton of assets he NEEDS to return to in Korea. Also, I am guessing most of his immediate relatives live in Pakistan.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

It is tough to get tourist visas from alot of countries. Even if you are just in that country for study or work.

Some people think of using an Asian country as a way to avoid the hassle of getting one from their home country, so sometimes they get scrutinized even more. (Obviously not implying this is your situation just saying)

As Kastrs said, sometimes them knowing he has an American SO can be even worse, sometimes it isn't, again it just depends.

There is no "magic" way to get a tourist visa.

Sorry for this that you are dealing with. Best of luck.

[Boiler 46,144]

How are bank statements and schooling evidence?

[KierenHby 899]

It is tough to get tourist visas from alot of countries. Even if you are just in that country for study or work. This, and..

Some people think of using an Asian country as a way to avoid the hassle of getting one from their home country, so sometimes they get scrutinized even more. (Obviously not implying this is your situation just saying) ..This!

COs are not obligated to look at additional evidence. Most CO's deem the DS160 and the Interview sufficient to make an adjudication.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

 

How are bank statements and schooling evidence?

Bank statements to show funds, schooling to show he has ties to S. Korea. Not saying a CO would be 100% swayed by it by any means, but how is it not evidence?

[kris&me 572]

The CO has looked at eveidence before the interview starts that is why many frontload the application so someone sees it

and CO's are taught to believe someone with gf/ bf in US will AOS and stay

[Rc123rc 528]

 

Bank statements to show funds, schooling to show he has ties to S. Korea. Not saying a CO would be 100% swayed by it by any means, but how is it not evidence?

Bank accounts can be closed and schools left quickly and with little effort or consequence. Therefore they are not strong evidence of ties. Evidence is more like he "has to return to Korea" because.......

[lacolinab13 86]

A friend of mine works as a consular officer - in fact, she was in charge of fraud prevention at one of the consulates where she worked. She told me that they are specifically trained not to look at documents applicants being, as documents can so easily be faked or forged.

[snowcat 58]

Was also denied a tourist visa once when I applied for one with my family for a vacation in the U.S. because I was a fresh graduate from college and had no ties to the Philippines despite my family being here. Looking back on it, I totally get why I was denied. Strong roots or ties means you have a good-paying job or a business that you can't leave, or you have children that you have to come back to, etc.

Having money in your bank account doesn't mean anything because you can just transfer all that money to another bank account in the U.S., and being a student doesn't mean anything either because you can just drop out and transfer to another school in the U.S. as well.

Has he been to other countries like Canada or U.K. (or any European country) that he has not overstayed in before? This usually helps the consuls make a decision.

No worries though, a denial isn't the worst. I took my post-graduate studies in the U.S. years after I got denied a tourist visa and was still approved, and ever since then getting a tourist visa for the U.S. (and Canada) was not difficult for me. My cousin also was denied a U.S. tourist visa but still was able to get a Canadian tourist visa and a Schengen (Europe) tourist visa afterwards... and because she did not overstay in those countries was able to get a U.S. visa a few years after.

Edited November 15, 2016 by snowcat

[Hypnos 6,578]

A lot of the time the decision on a nonimmigrant visa has been made before you even enter the building, you're just going there to hear what it is.

[Cathi 5,794]

what does his bank statements have to do with his getting a B2? Answer: nothing.

[millefleur 5,047]

A friend of mine works as a consular officer - in fact, she was in charge of fraud prevention at one of the consulates where she worked. She told me that they are specifically trained not to look at documents applicants being, as documents can so easily be faked or forged.

Lol, that' just funny to me because it still basically encourages people to bring documents on the official site. It's almost like they're just trolling applicants by giving them false hope.

Documents to Bring: The consul will be more interested in what you have to say rather than what documents you present. However, you may choose to bring any evidence that can help to demonstrate your purpose of travel, your strong ties to Russia, and a pattern of business or tourism travel to other countries. Examples could include previous passports, proof of your income and assets, and letters from business associates explaining your planned travel.