B1 visa denied, really want to go and visit bf family

[tyoke 0]

Hi I have been to work and travel to US last summer on J-1 visa and met a lot of friends and my now boyfriend there.

He came to visit me for few months after I return home to Malaysia, then we went to vacation to Krabi(Boy he loves it there!)and came back to Malaysia for renewing his and the immigration gave him a little hard time.

We decide that I should try to apply for B1 to  visit his family and my friends again! His family really wants to meet me and hopes that I am able to visit soon.  And also, my friend is getting marry in September, invited to be bridesmaid! 

A lot of people tell me that I should not say boyfriend because they think I will get marry or work there all sorts of rejection just because I have a boyfriend so I did not mention him and I did not even get a chance to mention the wedding.

During my visa interview this is what CO asked:

1. Why are you going to US again?

To visit my friends.

2. Boyfriend?

No, friend. 

3. How do you know them?

I work and travel last year at US.

4. You are not a student? What is your current status?!

Work as part time.

5. PART TIME? why part time?

I change from full time to part time to help with my dad's rehab. (yes, I also prepared letter of my dad's rehab status because I have responsible coming back and take care of him)

6. REHAB?

He has stroke 2 years ago and sometimes I helped him with rehab at home.

7. Can I see your bank statement?

I only bring my mum's bank statement because she is sponsoring my trip. (got advice from my J-1 agency that since my mum is sponsoring my trip I do not have to bring my bank statement, totally regret!)

So she type into computer then return my passport and said denied.

 

What should I do? Don't I have a chance to go visit US again just to spend time with my boyfriend and his family, he is so frustrated now that he has to leave without me. We were talking about this trip for months now that we go together to US during summer and come back during winter time because HE HATES WINTER. lol.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

one should never lie to an immigration officer.  Not much else you can do at this point.  I don't think you'll find much sympathy here.

[Roel 7,193]

You probably won't get a B2 tourist visa anytime soon.

If you're ready to marry and want to immigrate to US full time, you and your boyfriend (if he's a US citizen) can think about the fiancee visa.

[tyoke 0]

7 minutes ago, Roel said:

You probably won't get a B2 tourist visa anytime soon.

If you're ready to marry and want to immigrate to US full time, you and your boyfriend (if he's a US citizen) can think about the fiancee visa.

Well we aren't ready for all that just yet. Not the type of that rush into things.. Really just want to visit my friends, have a wedding to attend, my friends from other country who are going to attend got their visa approved so they hope I can attend(but they are students, I'm graduated last year) too and they are asking me to try few months later,and of course visit with him also so I can spend time meeting his family and getting to know them and vice versa so maybe one day we are ready to take the next step they know me. 

[KierenHby 899]

A clear misrepresentation at the interview. Visa is a privilege, not an entitlement simply because of a US boyfriend.

Can apply again, but odds are slim. How about meeting in Thailand, Bali, etc. If life hands you lemons, learn to make lemonade..

[tyoke 0]

1 minute ago, KierenHby said:

A clear misrepresentation at the interview. Visa is a privilege, not an entitlement simply because of a US boyfriend.

Can apply again, but odds are slim. How about meeting in Thailand, Bali, etc. If life hands you lemons, learn to make lemonade..

Yeah, I notice that, I want to know how can I try my chances again and not making the same mistakes. Everything else is true just not mentioning about bf and his family part. Yes, meeting him can be anywhere. But my main concern is spending time with him and his family and my friend wants me to be her bridesmaid at her wedding coming September.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, tyoke said:

Yeah, I notice that, I want to know how can I try my chances again and not making the same mistakes. Everything else is true just not mentioning about bf and his family part. Yes, meeting him can be anywhere. But my main concern is spending time with him and his family and my friend wants me to be her bridesmaid at her wedding coming September.

Gather more ties to your home country (full time work, property, etc) maybe travel elsewhere too.  Be fully honest at your next interview but expect scrutiny.  I'd give it 6 months before applying again

[KierenHby 899]

Just now, tyoke said:

Yeah, I notice that, I want to know how can I try my chances again and not making the same mistakes. Everything else is true just not mentioning about bf and his family part. Yes, meeting him can be anywhere. But my main concern is spending time with him and his family and my friend wants me to be her bridesmaid at her wedding coming September.

a. if aim is to meet and not just get a US visa, meet in a third country. 

b. apply again. can't change facts, as ds160 and interview responses are accessible to the next CO. 

[tyoke 0]

Just now, Transborderwife said:

Gather more ties to your home country (full time work, property, etc) maybe travel elsewhere too.  Be fully honest at your next interview but expect scrutiny.  I'd give it 6 months before applying again

I did prepared my documents. Ties to home country: father is in rehab condition, I have a property and vehicle, and travelled to few countries for 2-4 weeks per countries, longest trip, last year USA 5 months, 1 year ago 1 month + Taiwan, 5 years ago UK 4 months . But CO never ask any of that. Okay, noted. I did not even have the chance to ask why am I denied I was too upset. Because I did not provide my bank statement? father issue? part time job? and never get the chance to say the wedding as I was adviced to only answer per what they asked.

[EmilyW 1,514]

Put simply, they did not believe you would return to Malaysia.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

3 minutes ago, tyoke said:

I did prepared my documents. Ties to home country: father is in rehab condition, I have a property and vehicle, and travelled to few countries for 2-4 weeks per countries, longest trip, last year USA 5 months, 1 year ago 1 month + Taiwan, 5 years ago UK 4 months . But CO never ask any of that. Okay, noted. I did not even have the chance to ask why am I denied I was too upset. Because I did not provide my bank statement? father issue? part time job? and never get the chance to say the wedding as I was adviced to only answer per what they asked.

Think like an IO for a second.  You lived and worked in the USA. Soon after, you want to return.  You're a threat to them to stay and adjust.

[KierenHby 899]

14 minutes ago, tyoke said:

Ties to home country: father is in rehab condition, I have a property and vehicle, and travelled to few countries for 2-4 weeks per countries, longest trip, last year USA 5 months, 1 year ago 1 month + Taiwan, 5 years ago UK 4 months . 

Not strong ties.. someone else taking care of father during your 5 mos in the US; property, cars can be sold from the US. 

[vegasbound 83]

I think your biggest issue is the fact that you are working part time and that your mother is sponsoring your trip. The first thing that the CO wants to see is your financial stability - your own income. You can have properties in your name that are being paid by other people. But your income is yours and not bringing/showing your own bank statement is a major misstep.

The most important criteria to be eligible for a US tourist visa is that you can afford to fund the trip by yourself and then support your application by showing ties to your home country to eliminate the intent factor. Based on your current circumstances, you are not eligible for a visa and I believe the CO made the right call. 

You should forget about reapplying anytime soon (definitely not within 12 months) or until your circumstances change significantly - i.e. get a full time position with decent salary and work for at least 6 months and build up a savings to show that you have sufficient funds for a trip to the US.

Also, be honest during the interview because everything you said is recorded in your file and will be accessible by the COs in your future interviews. If there is progress in your relationship with your BF and you decide to go for fiancé/spousal visa, you would have to explain why you 'lied' in this interview about wanting to go to the US to meet your BF and his family. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to US immigration.

 

As an alternative, plan a trip with your BF and his family to Canada. It's gorgeous there in the summer.

[Unlockable 7,315]

Why oh Why did you try to hide the fact that you had a bf in the US? Don't you think the CO picked up on it which is the reason he/she asked directly? And what are those people who advised you to lie to the CO have to say now that you STILL got denied?

 

Odds are you are not going to get a visitor visa. Take the advice and meet in another country.

Edited April 2, 2017 by NuestraUnion

[geowrian 22,338]

Sorry, but I don't foresee a tourist visa in your immediate future. You didn't have the ties for the CO to approve the request, and that's not something that changes overnight.

 

Different answers are not going to get you any closer to an approval. They have a history of your previous responses so any different answers (without a valid reason) are going to be giant red flags.

 

Not being upfront initially was a really bad idea. Having a sponsor is also not applicable for a tourist visa - you have to show that you can support yourself on your own. The J-1 agency gave you completely wrong advice for a tourist visa, too.

Edited April 2, 2017 by geowrian