Getting Tourist Visa with Ongoing Immigrant Petition

[Hank_ 9,174]

4 hours ago, higashi said:

Just to update this thread, I applied for a visa already... and got denied.  They only asked me these questions:

1. US Travel plans - exam + visit family

2. What is the exam - USMLE Step 2 CS with a little explanation that it is for training

3. Who are in the US - family

4. What is the exam for - everyone who wants to apply or medical training needs to undergo this process

5. How long am I staying - 1 month

THAT'S IT. No opportunity to let them know of my ties to my home country. I feel that I was judged solely on my family's presence (LPRs) and the exam (possible work?). I didn't even get to show any documents. It's so sad.

 

If anyone has suggestions on how to improve for my next attempt, please help. I'm planning to go as soon as possible.

 

That is very typical for the tourist visa from the Philippines.

 

The embassy wants to see very strong ties to keep you in the Philippines .. with your immigrant visa in process I don't think they are seeing this.  

 

Job, real estate holdings are the big ones they look for.    They want to see documentation.

 

 

Edited May 18, 2018 by Hank_

[Boiler 45,693]

Well you implied in your first post you did not have much in the way of ties, so what are they?

[Unlockable 7,315]

6 hours ago, higashi said:

Just to update this thread, I applied for a visa already... and got denied.  They only asked me these questions:

1. US Travel plans - exam + visit family

2. What is the exam - USMLE Step 2 CS with a little explanation that it is for training

3. Who are in the US - family

4. What is the exam for - everyone who wants to apply or medical training needs to undergo this process

5. How long am I staying - 1 month

THAT'S IT. No opportunity to let them know of my ties to my home country. I feel that I was judged solely on my family's presence (LPRs) and the exam (possible work?). I didn't even get to show any documents. It's so sad.

 

If anyone has suggestions on how to improve for my next attempt, please help. I'm planning to go as soon as possible.

I don't see why you are reapplying so soon. Everything has been recorded and you will likely get denied again. We understand this is a big career boost but you have to understand that this is a huge risk of you using the visa to come and work. For example, say you take the exam and pass and get licensed. Then you would qualify for very good jobs in the US. Also, you have family that are established in the US that you can use to live with and help get you on your feet.

 

Don't take it personal. You have already read that it is very difficult for many young people from the Philippines to get a tourist visa. The blame goes to all of the Filipinos  who abuse a tourist visa by going to the US and living and working and never returning. They are the ones who make it difficult for you. I am sure you are aware how things are with your country with fraud, crime, and drugs. Sometimes bad people make it difficult for good people.

[harble 19]

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

That is very typical for the tourist visa from the Philippines.

 

The embassy wants to see very strong ties to keep you in the Philippines .. with your immigrant visa in process I don't think they are seeing this.  

 

Job, real estate holdings are the big ones they look for.    They want to see documentation.

 

 

Yeah I was actually waiting for the question regarding work or plans after so that I can say that I need to be back because of work. Despite the fact that the same consul asked the ones before me those questions, he didn't even bother with me.  I hope on my second try I can tell them about it to let them know I really just need to take the exam. 

 

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Well you implied in your first post you did not have much in the way of ties, so what are they?

I apologize for not clarifying that. I made the first post more than a year ago I believe. I've acquired 2 new jobs since then. So I have 3 basically. 
 

59 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

I don't see why you are reapplying so soon. Everything has been recorded and you will likely get denied again. We understand this is a big career boost but you have to understand that this is a huge risk of you using the visa to come and work. For example, say you take the exam and pass and get licensed. Then you would qualify for very good jobs in the US. Also, you have family that are established in the US that you can use to live with and help get you on your feet.

 

Don't take it personal. You have already read that it is very difficult for many young people from the Philippines to get a tourist visa. The blame goes to all of the Filipinos  who abuse a tourist visa by going to the US and living and working and never returning. They are the ones who make it difficult for you. I am sure you are aware how things are with your country with fraud, crime, and drugs. Sometimes bad people make it difficult for good people.

The reason why I plan to reapply soon is because I feel like I didn't get to present myself the way I was supposed to. My profile was dangerous enough as it is and yet, I wasn't able to show the official letters from the USMLE, proof of the exam, explain what it was for, and most importantly, I wasn't able to establish my ties to my home country. I feel like I need to clarify things better since that would be my only fighting chance. Thank you though. I understand what you mean but I don't think I can change much before I reapply again especially since I wasn't even able to try to defend myself in the first interview. And yes, I come from a country with many cases such as those. Unfortunately, that's what I have to work with.

[Unlockable 7,315]

1 hour ago, higashi said:

Yeah I was actually waiting for the question regarding work or plans after so that I can say that I need to be back because of work. Despite the fact that the same consul asked the ones before me those questions, he didn't even bother with me.  I hope on my second try I can tell them about it to let them know I really just need to take the exam. 

 

I apologize for not clarifying that. I made the first post more than a year ago I believe. I've acquired 2 new jobs since then. So I have 3 basically. 
 

The reason why I plan to reapply soon is because I feel like I didn't get to present myself the way I was supposed to. My profile was dangerous enough as it is and yet, I wasn't able to show the official letters from the USMLE, proof of the exam, explain what it was for, and most importantly, I wasn't able to establish my ties to my home country. I feel like I need to clarify things better since that would be my only fighting chance. Thank you though. I understand what you mean but I don't think I can change much before I reapply again especially since I wasn't even able to try to defend myself in the first interview. And yes, I come from a country with many cases such as those. Unfortunately, that's what I have to work with.

OK, but you do realize that the same thing will happen at your next interview. This is usually how visitor visa interviews go. You can go to the visitor visa section of this board and see the experiences people had. The interviewing officer almost never look at supporting documents. The interview for visitor visas usually last no more than 5 minutes. If you apply again, they will look at your evidence beforehand and make the decision. You can't force them to look at you evidence or hear your explanation if they don't want it. 

 

So you turning around and applying immediately after a denial will make it look like you are desperate. And this will give the next officer even less reason to look or hear your evidence.

 

We are simply trying to inform you that sometimes it just doesn't happen. There are some people in the world who never get a visitor visa to the US. There are some people that it takes many years for them to get a visitor visa. I read one case of a man who apply 7 times in 10 years. It is a harsh truth that many don't understand. It is nothing personal against you.

 

The point is, if you it doesn't happen, you can't force it, plead for it, or explain it for an approval.

[Boiler 45,693]

Did you not disclose your jobs last time?

[harble 19]

10 hours ago, NuestraUnion said:

OK, but you do realize that the same thing will happen at your next interview. This is usually how visitor visa interviews go. You can go to the visitor visa section of this board and see the experiences people had. The interviewing officer almost never look at supporting documents. The interview for visitor visas usually last no more than 5 minutes. If you apply again, they will look at your evidence beforehand and make the decision. You can't force them to look at you evidence or hear your explanation if they don't want it. 

 

So you turning around and applying immediately after a denial will make it look like you are desperate. And this will give the next officer even less reason to look or hear your evidence.

 

We are simply trying to inform you that sometimes it just doesn't happen. There are some people in the world who never get a visitor visa to the US. There are some people that it takes many years for them to get a visitor visa. I read one case of a man who apply 7 times in 10 years. It is a harsh truth that many don't understand. It is nothing personal against you.

 

The point is, if you it doesn't happen, you can't force it, plead for it, or explain it for an approval.

I see what you're saying. But since you are technically saying that it is next to impossible to get one in my case, what else do I have to lose if I try again (aside from money)? I won't force things on the consul, but I am expecting to redirect their focus to my ties to home country since they will likely ask me what changed or why did I reapply so soon. But I will still continue to think about it carefully. Thank you very much for your input, NuestraUnion.

 

10 hours ago, Boiler said:

Did you not disclose your jobs last time?

No. I was waiting for the question about it but was not even asked.  I know that will be my only defense.

[arken 4,197]

You definitely got nothing to lose apart from money so feel free to apply soon as planned but don’t expect to tell your story the way you are planning. COs don’t listen to the stories, they ask questions based on what they think are relevant, not based on what you think is relevant. So you might get zero chance of describing anything that you are planning to.

[harble 19]

47 minutes ago, arken said:

You definitely got nothing to lose apart from money so feel free to apply soon as planned but don’t expect to tell your story the way you are planning. COs don’t listen to the stories, they ask questions based on what they think are relevant, not based on what you think is relevant. So you might get zero chance of describing anything that you are planning to.

That is true. So do you think giving a gap of a few months will improve my chances? Would that really change anything? I don't think I can change much in that time anyway.

Edited May 19, 2018 by higashi

[Boiler 45,693]

Wait until something does change?

[Boiler 45,693]

Forgot to mention, your employment is listed on your application.

[Hank_ 9,174]

7 hours ago, higashi said:

I see what you're saying. But since you are technically saying that it is next to impossible to get one in my case, what else do I have to lose if I try again (aside from money)? I won't force things on the consul, but I am expecting to redirect their focus to my ties to home country since they will likely ask me what changed or why did I reapply so soon. But I will still continue to think about it carefully. Thank you very much for your input, NuestraUnion.

 

No. I was waiting for the question about it but was not even asked.  I know that will be my only defense.

You didn't list your employments on the DS-160 ?

[harble 19]

Ohh. Yes I did.

 

I don't mean to be difficult but I can't help but feel like giving it one more shot. It's just really disheartening. Sorry. Anyway, thank you for your help, really appreciate all the replies. 

Edited May 19, 2018 by higashi

[Hank_ 9,174]

28 minutes ago, higashi said:

Ohh. Yes I did.

 

I don't mean to be difficult but I can't help but feel like giving it one more shot. It's just really disheartening. Sorry. Anyway, thank you for your help, really appreciate all the replies. 

 

I don't think you are being difficult.  I understand your desire to get this exam completed.   But it is something you can complete later also, and I am sure USEM looks at this also.

[arken 4,197]

Btw, for your first interview, had you registered for the exam and did you take the letter from ECMFG confirming your exam that is done only in US?