Help! Failed 1st Time with Tourist Visa for Muslim woman in Indonesia

[merah 0]

Please help:

 

I have been living in Indonesia for ten years and for that entire time, have been married to an Indonesian woman.  (She is Muslim)

Just recently in Jakarta we failed in our first attempt in application for a B-2 tourist visa.  We simply want to visit the U.S. for a few weeks.  The consular officer did not deem my wife to have sufficient ties to Indonesia.

 

The consular officer's take on my wife's situation was that she should have me apply for a green card (figuring I was trying to smuggle her in on the cheap, I guess), but we have no plans on living in the U.S., so it doesn't make any sense.  We're not seeking immigrant status.

 

We are gearing up for a second try.  Given there are factors that can't be accounted for, just how can we cover what can be covered?  Should showing proof of employment, car ownership, house ownership, land ownership, and a bank account enough?  How much money in the bank is enough?  Is 20,000 USD enough?

 

Do the politics of U.S. anti-immigrations sentiments and presidential executive orders weigh-in against my wife given her religious status?

 

We really want to come in prepared this next time. 

 

Thanks in advance.

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

She got married to a USC (I assumed you are US citizen)?

 

Then she's got immigration intention by default, at least it is what consular officer thought. All assests you listed can be liquidated in a short time, they don't prove she would come back.

 

Sorry but her religion doesn't play any role in her interview.

[Unlockable 7,315]

Politics and religion is not the case for the denial.

 

People have been denied tourist visas because they were married to a US citizen since before Trump was host The Apprentice.

 

Also, be cautious of placing large sums of money in your wife's account. Can be a red flag.

[merah 0]

So the implication, NuestraUnion, is that the U.S. immigration authorities believe vis-a-vis experience that a common modus operandi for the U.S. citizen is to bring their spouse in on a B-2 visa and overstay the visa.  Hence, as NancyNguyen, said, there is "immigration intent by default."

 

If that is true, what you are saying furthermore is that it's best for the applicant for a B-2 visa NOT to be married to a U.S. citizen.  

 

So there is no clear path for a couple in our situation?  There must be some daylight; some suggestion no matter how outside the box, that presents an alternative for me other than having to return to live back to the U.S. in order for my wife to simply visit.

 

 

[Mollie09 1,543]

You can apply for a green card, have her surrender it, and apply for a tourist visa. That's been done in the past to show lack of immigrant intent.

[Unlockable 7,315]

2 hours ago, merah said:

So the implication, NuestraUnion, is that the U.S. immigration authorities believe vis-a-vis experience that a common modus operandi for the U.S. citizen is to bring their spouse in on a B-2 visa and overstay the visa.  Hence, as NancyNguyen, said, there is "immigration intent by default."

 

If that is true, what you are saying furthermore is that it's best for the applicant for a B-2 visa NOT to be married to a U.S. citizen.  

 

So there is no clear path for a couple in our situation?  There must be some daylight; some suggestion no matter how outside the box, that presents an alternative for me other than having to return to live back to the U.S. in order for my wife to simply visit.

 

 

In theory, you can make an argument for your statement, yes. But there have been plenty of foreigners that are married to USC's and have received visitor visas. 

 

How is the travel history of your wife? meaning other countries she has been to. If she has an extensive history of travel that may help.

[dandk 72]

On 3/8/2017 at 6:31 AM, NuestraUnion said:

How is the travel history of your wife? meaning other countries she has been to. If she has an extensive history of travel that may help.

This is very true based on our own experience with our in-laws and relatives. We have had in-laws, other relatives, and family friends from Indonesia visiting us here in the US. They have no problems getting B1/B2 visa from Jakarta Embassy or Surabaya consulate. They all have two things in common. They are holder of Schengen Visa and UK Visa and have taken trips to those countries in the past.

[Boiler 45,945]

Begs the question what the issue was, she has a good job, plenty of assets, significant savings.

[blooms 63]

On 3/8/2017 at 2:11 AM, merah said:

Please help:

 

I have been living in Indonesia for ten years and for that entire time, have been married to an Indonesian woman.  (She is Muslim)

Just recently in Jakarta we failed in our first attempt in application for a B-2 tourist visa.  We simply want to visit the U.S. for a few weeks.  The consular officer did not deem my wife to have sufficient ties to Indonesia.

 

The consular officer's take on my wife's situation was that she should have me apply for a green card (figuring I was trying to smuggle her in on the cheap, I guess), but we have no plans on living in the U.S., so it doesn't make any sense.  We're not seeking immigrant status.

 

We are gearing up for a second try.  Given there are factors that can't be accounted for, just how can we cover what can be covered?  Should showing proof of employment, car ownership, house ownership, land ownership, and a bank account enough?  How much money in the bank is enough?  Is 20,000 USD enough?

 

Do the politics of U.S. anti-immigrations sentiments and presidential executive orders weigh-in against my wife given her religious status?

 

We really want to come in prepared this next time. 

 

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

 

Sorry for the denial. Based on my personal experience, when me and both parents attended the B2 visa interview (JAKARTA US embassy), my mom brought loads of documents including bank statements (savings and checking), business and property ownership, title of the house, mostly pertaining to finances.

The CO did asked my mother a recent large sum of money being transferred to her account, which my mom answered that it was from the sale of a piece of land my family owned.

The interview lasted about 5-10 minutes,mostly her typing away and scanning through the documents she wanted to see. The three of us were approved that day, and we didn't overstay our visas and came back accordingly. So my suggestion, be cautious in transferring huge funds of money because they might ask and want to see proof. Then the CO spent little time in asking where we were going and when.

And maybe she could travel abroad like the other posts mentioned, having schengen visa, canadian visa for example might help your case and re-apply next year perhaps.

I know it's such a pain, waiting in line for hours, being interviewed standing in front of everybody else, and paying the fee that is not refundable. I hope you have a better luck next time.

 

blooms

Edited March 10, 2017 by blooms

[merah 0]

Blooms:  Thanks for the detailed information and kind words of support.