revoked us visa - no explanation

[canuck70 4]

Hi, was hoping someone can offer advice.

 

I'm a canadian. Normally Canadians don't need a us tourist visa, but because I had over stayed a visit in 2014 (because I unknowingly waited for the return of my renewed passport), I was required to apply for a b-2. I have been using a b-2 visa for the last 3 years (with 7 years remaining) for medical reasons.  So far no major issues except today, I was denied boarding for a flight to the us. Check-in personnel told me that my us visa was denied & told contact the us consulate. I tried calling the us consulate but it's just voice recordings. I then called customs & border protection but they said that they couldn't tell me why it was revoked & that it was the consulate's decision. I emailed the us consulate & am waiting for an answer.  In the meantime, should I re-apply for a new visa? Will the consulate email me back with a reason why it was revoked? 

[geowrian 22,338]

Unfortunately, all anybody here can do is speculate as to why it was revoked. Hopefully you hear back soon.

 

Are you certain you didn't overstay again? Check your I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/

Do you have any criminal offenses since you obtained the visa?

How often and how long were you coming to the US?

Did you engage in anything that could be considered unauthorized work?

[canuck70 4]

Yes, i only stayed in the us from july-dec. 22 so within the 6 months period.  The only thing I can think of is that the CBP agent stamped "until Jan 10, 2017" on my passport on my last visit to the US in July 2017.  Obviously he should've written "jan., 10, 2018".  Do you think "jan. 10, 2017" was entered into the system rather than "jan. 10, 2018" so it looks like it's an overstay?

[canuck70 4]

Regarding the other questions:

- no criminal history

- I was working in the us with valid h1-b & TN visas for a number of years. After that, I entered with a tourist visa with no issues until the overstay in 2014. From 2014-2017, I've been using a b-2 visit for medical reasons.

- definitely no unauthorized work (no part-time / full-time, freelance etc)

[geowrian 22,338]

22 minutes ago, canuck70 said:

Yes, i only stayed in the us from july-dec. 22 so within the 6 months period.  The only thing I can think of is that the CBP agent stamped "until Jan 10, 2017" on my passport on my last visit to the US in July 2017.  Obviously he should've written "jan., 10, 2018".  Do you think "jan. 10, 2017" was entered into the system rather than "jan. 10, 2018" so it looks like it's an overstay?

Many times they do permit 6 month stays, but sometimes they only permit entry for 3 months or 1 month or weeks (or very rarely days). That said, it does sound like he granted 6 months and just wrote the wrong year (since Jan. 10, 2017 would have been before you even entered).

As stated, check the I-94 using the website above. That will confirm what your entry, exit, and permitted stay were recorded as.

 

17 minutes ago, canuck70 said:

Regarding the other questions:

- no criminal history

- I was working in the us with valid h1-b & TN visas for a number of years. After that, I entered with a tourist visa with no issues until the overstay in 2014. From 2014-2017, I've been using a b-2 visit for medical reasons.

- definitely no unauthorized work (no part-time / full-time, freelance etc)

Ok, good...no issues with working or criminal histories. Was all medical care handled out of pocket (i.e. no public funds used)? That's the only thing that I can think off (without wild speculations!) that would jump out at me as an issue.

[canuck70 4]

Thanks for the link! 

 

I checked & it stated:

- days overstayed: n/a

- days left to leave the country: n/a

 

It also says "your traveler status is not available at this time. If you have not received results, you are not among the eligible travelers for the traveler compliance check at this time" 

 

[canuck70 4]

The medical treatment is paid out of pocket. I show Canadian bank statements over the last few years to provide financial capability for medical & living expenses (thus no employment) as well as proof of Canadian home purchase. 

 

Regarding i-94 history: I see departure & arrival history but nothing unusual stands out. 

[geowrian 22,338]

All that checks out fine, then. Hmm...I'm not sure what would have caused it to have been revoked already.

[canuck70 4]

Me neither. 

 

So what course of action do you suggest I take?

 

I've already contacted CBP - said to contact consulate. I emailed the consulate after getting nowhere on the phone.

[geowrian 22,338]

I'd stick with the consulate. It's the holidays now so you probably won't hear back for a bit, unfortunately.

There's little point in applying for a new visa until you know why the old one was revoked.

[canuck70 4]

Yeah, I was trying to catch them before 5pm today but no luck. They probably started partying ealy.

 

Good point about waiting for a reply first but they're not forced to give a reply. What if they dont? 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 hour ago, canuck70 said:

Yes, i only stayed in the us from july-dec. 22 so within the 6 months period.  The only thing I can think of is that the CBP agent stamped "until Jan 10, 2017" on my passport on my last visit to the US in July 2017.  Obviously he should've written "jan., 10, 2018".  Do you think "jan. 10, 2017" was entered into the system rather than "jan. 10, 2018" so it looks like it's an overstay?

Can you clarify, you said you’ve been using the B2 for the past 3 years. Which year was the July-December stay? How often and how long were the other stays during the 3 years, or were they all jul-dec of each year?

[canuck70 4]

Most of the visits between '15-'17 were 6-month stays between from jan-june, and then from july-dec. I stay in Canada for about 1-2 weeks. 

 

I started using the b2-visa in oct. '14 so that was a 2 1/2 month stay between oct-Dec '14. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

4 minutes ago, canuck70 said:

Most of the visits between '15-'17 were 6-month stays between from jan-june, and then from july-dec. I stay in Canada for about 1-2 weeks. 

 

I started using the b2-visa in oct. '14 so that was a 2 1/2 month stay between oct-Dec '14. 

There’s your answer. You’re spending most of the year in the US, which is seen as abusing a B visa.

[geowrian 22,338]

Yup, that would do it. I (incorrectly) assumed that " i only stayed in the us from july-dec. 22" meant that was the only recent stay in the US, when asked about how often and how long they were coming to the US.