Where does my money go?

[famaliden 0]

My wife (US citizen now) has a sister in El Salvador that was denied a tourist Visa today with no reason other than, no. While I think that they should provide a valid reason as to why someone is denied, my question is where does that $160 go? Seems rather amusing to me that they can just take the money and deny someone or allow someone with what seems to be "how the interviewer is feeling at that time" as my wife's sister is no threat to stay in the US. She came prepared with documents and wasnt even asked to provide any. She was asked about her job that she has in El Salvador and that was basically it. So since my wife and I help them with finances and that $160 was on my dime, once again I ask, where did my money just go that my US Embassy just took from me lol.

Edited November 15, 2017 by famaliden

[Idd1989 27]

Unfortunately they don't have to provide the reason. I had couple of friends and they were denied only the embassy knew the reason...

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Everything costs money.  $160 does not go far these days and it surely does not "buy" you a tourist visa.  To put it in a different perspective, if you had surgery and died on the operating table, you still have to pay the doctor bill.  Seems like she did not show enough ties to her home country to prove she would return.  

[NikLR 13,232]

It's an application fee.  It's not a visa fee.  She paid to apply for a visa.  The paperwork and time of a consular officer costs money.   

[GreatDane 366]

5 minutes ago, famaliden said:

My wife (US citizen now) has a sister in El Salvador that was denied a tourist Visa today with no reason other than, no. While I think that they should provide a valid reason as to why someone is denied, my question is where does that $160 go? Seems rather amusing to me that they can just take the money and deny someone or allow someone with what seems to be "how the interviewer is feeling at that time" as my wife's sister is no threat to stay in the US. She came prepared with documents and wasnt even asked to provide any. She was asked about her job that she has in El Salvador and that was basically it. So since my wife and I help them with finances and that $160 was on my dime, once again I ask, where did my money just go that my US Embassy just took from me lol.

From what I've heard, USCIS issues a formal letter/explanation specifying reason for denial.

The most likely reason was lack of strong ties to their home country and their financial situation. In the end, as hard as it is, immigration isn't a right afforded to any of us - it's a privilege. The average refusal rate is 6.2%, for El Salvador it's 53%.

[famaliden 0]

10 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

From what I've heard, USCIS issues a formal letter/explanation specifying reason for denial.

The most likely reason was lack of strong ties to their home country and their financial situation. In the end, as hard as it is, immigration isn't a right afforded to any of us - it's a privilege. The average refusal rate is 6.2%, for El Salvador it's 53%.

Yeah, that was the reason in the letter they gave her which is rather funny to me because she is 45 with a job and a 14 yr old in school and a 19 yr old at home with her that has a 2 yr old daughter. Seems like in El Savador it depends on how the immigration officer feels that particular moment and its basically a lottery. Like I said, they didnt ask her for any paperwork or documentation about her stay here. 

 

"The paperwork and time of a consular officer costs money." 

If this is the case, how do I get that job? $160 for 10 minutes of my time sounds amazing.

[usmsbow 802]

11 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

From what I've heard, USCIS issues a formal letter/explanation specifying reason for denial.

The most likely reason was lack of strong ties to their home country and their financial situation. In the end, as hard as it is, immigration isn't a right afforded to any of us - it's a privilege. The average refusal rate is 6.2%, for El Salvador it's 53%.

 

USCIS isn't involved in tourist visas at all. And I don't think the State Dept. issues letters explaining a denial of a tourist visa. That'd be a lot of paperwork!

 

OP- $160 goes towards paying a small portion of the State Department's budget, which is $26.5 billion, according to Google. 

[GreatDane 366]

12 minutes ago, usmsbow said:

 

USCIS isn't involved in tourist visas at all. And I don't think the State Dept. issues letters explaining a denial of a tourist visa. That'd be a lot of paperwork!

 

OP- $160 goes towards paying a small portion of the State Department's budget, which is $26.5 billion, according to Google. 

Really? That's so surprising! I learn something every day

[Unlockable 7,315]

The default reason is not proving enough evidence that the applicant has sufficient ties to home country AKA will not use visitor visa to enter US to work/live.

 

The money is for services rendered meaning applying, reviewing, and processing the case.

 

TBH, some countries have citizens that abuse visitor visas to US at a higher rate than other countries. Even with family back home they come here and stay illegally and send money back home. Even making minimum wage they can make more money here than their home country. The problem is they use family that is already in the US to help them. This is why a relative helping them can be viewed as a negative to their case. If they can't afford a vacation on their own and need a relative to help then then they can be more of a risk.

[Springrain22 427]

55 minutes ago, famaliden said:

My wife (US citizen now) has a sister in El Salvador that was denied a tourist Visa today with no reason other than, no. While I think that they should provide a valid reason as to why someone is denied, my question is where does that $160 go? Seems rather amusing to me that they can just take the money and deny someone or allow someone with what seems to be "how the interviewer is feeling at that time" as my wife's sister is no threat to stay in the US. She came prepared with documents and wasnt even asked to provide any. She was asked about her job that she has in El Salvador and that was basically it. So since my wife and I help them with finances and that $160 was on my dime, once again I ask, where did my money just go that my US Embassy just took from me lol.

Unfortunately, it's not something that they "must" do, no matter if you like it or not. Her tourist visa to the US was a privilege, not a right. If you don't like that they took your $160 without approving her, just do not apply again, it's that simple. The outcome could be based on a various things, such as her background, background of her sister (your wife), her ties to the home country, even the CO mood.

 

They not just took your money. They gave her a service and assistance. Nothing can guarantee an approved tourist visa, you paid for assistance to "may be" get her a visa, not for visa itself. There's no such a fee. Again, if you don't like how it works, do not apply, just stay home.

[Springrain22 427]

41 minutes ago, famaliden said:

Yeah, that was the reason in the letter they gave her which is rather funny to me because she is 45 with a job and a 14 yr old in school and a 19 yr old at home with her that has a 2 yr old daughter. Seems like in El Savador it depends on how the immigration officer feels that particular moment and its basically a lottery. Like I said, they didnt ask her for any paperwork or documentation about her stay here. 

 

"The paperwork and time of a consular officer costs money." 

If this is the case, how do I get that job? $160 for 10 minutes of my time sounds amazing.

Well, you know the reason for her denial which seems to be accurate. It could also be about how her sister arrived to the US and how many denials she already had. Note that every denial kills her chances to get a visa next time she applies for it.

 

No, you can't get that job, I highly doubt you have that skill and background. And it's not 160 bucks for 10 minutes. Seems like you don't understand how it all works and what you paid for.

Edited November 16, 2017 by Springrain22

[Boiler 45,947]

Begs the question why you paid for her application and as you say she is 45 with a job.

Edited November 16, 2017 by Boiler

[bakphx1 789]

If you have to help with finances, then you answered your own question.  They are looking for people with no incentive to stay and work in the US. 

 

 

I feel for you, having married someone from Honduras.  But realistically, they are not good candidates for visitor visas.  Especially right now. 

[mcdull 474]

if anybody thinks 160 USD would "buy" him/her a US visa, then may I please suggest a reality check?

[Dianalorena 1,153]

In comparison, for other immigration processes we pay thousands of dollars and it still isn't a guarantee that we will receive a permanent resident card/work permit/ citizenship. We do pay for them to process, It's not 160 for 10 minutes, it's all of the salaries and operations overall.  I know it is frustrating when we don't get what we hoped for, but no country is obligated to let us in even after we pay them. It is our job to meet the requirements, and it's up to them to determine if we are eligible or not. I was denied a tourist VISA before and lost the 160, it happens.  Also before trying again, it is advisable to overcome the reason for denial. Example: lack of strong ties, generate some ties: house, job, money on the bank, etc.  Good luck