Boyfriend visit on B-2 Visa

[Jacen7 3]

Let me preface this by saying I have spent hours reading similar topics on this forum about a USC inviting a boyfriend/girlfriend to the USA on a B-2 Visa and how difficult that can sometimes be.  I hope I can still ask some questions about my specific situation.

 

I (USC) am looking for my boyfriend to come visit me in the  US in the Fall.  He is a Burmese (Myanmar) citizen but lives and works in Thailand (legally) and has for many years.  He is young (25), so I know right out of the gate this isn't a good start for a B-2 approval.   He has lived in Thailand all his life, his family is there, and has worked at his job at a hotel for 2 years.  He also has some travel to several Asian countries in the past several years.  But that's really it - work provides his housing so he doesn't own a home/apartment, is not in school, really not much else for ties to Thailand.  Low salary, not a large bank account, but I would help with travel expenses.  I'm also not sure if this matters at all, but I'm also a dude so maybe the whole boyfriend thing wouldn't be on the CO's radar, when he sees I am a guy on the DS-160.

 

So...I am getting that an approval isn't likely, but we are going to give it a shot anyways and hope for the best.  So my questions are:

 

1.  Does he need to show strong ties to Thailand or Myanmar?

2.  Should he apply for a visa in Thailand or Myanmar?  My only thought here is that Myanmar has far fewer applications so maybe he will get more than 30 seconds to present his case to the CO.

3.  Is there anything he can do to beef up his ties in the next few months?  Would travel to a Schengen country first be hugely helpful, should we go for that before attempting for a B-2 to USA?

 

Thanks for your help and thoughts

-J

 

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Jacen7

[geowrian 22,337]

1. He has to convince the CO that he intends to leave the US without overstaying or violating status. Generally, this means having ties to where he currently lives.
2. It is recommended to apply in the country where you currently reside, since they can best determine any ties to that country.
3. A travel history with short visits can be helpful.

Good luck.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Agree with above - ties to country of residence, and interview in country of residence, are generally best.

 

 

 

[Jacen7 3]

My boyfriend is in a Thai online group of people who talk about the visa application process.  Many people are denied, one person was given this form  (attached) which I don't quite understand as it seems to contradict two things I have read on this forum - seems to indicate that a denial can be reversed, and seems to specifically ask for an invitation letter, which I have read here is not helpful if not damaging to an applicant's case for strong ties to home country.  Could anybody shed some light on this?  

 

 

[Boiler 45,519]

1 hour ago, Jacen7 said:

My boyfriend is in a Thai online group of people who talk about the visa application process.  Many people are denied, one person was given this form  (attached) which I don't quite understand as it seems to contradict two things I have read on this forum - seems to indicate that a denial can be reversed, and seems to specifically ask for an invitation letter, which I have read here is not helpful if not damaging to an applicant's case for strong ties to home country.  Could anybody shed some light on this?  

 

 

Every case is different, seems odd for example to apply for a visa without having a passport. What would you put it in?

 

So what is the background to this?

 

 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, Jacen7 said:

My boyfriend is in a Thai online group of people who talk about the visa application process.  Many people are denied, one person was given this form  (attached) which I don't quite understand as it seems to contradict two things I have read on this forum - seems to indicate that a denial can be reversed, and seems to specifically ask for an invitation letter, which I have read here is not helpful if not damaging to an applicant's case for strong ties to home country.  Could anybody shed some light on this?  

 

 

That visa was refused under INA 221(g), not 214(b). A refusal under INA 221(g) is often called a "soft"refusal as it can be overcome with providing requested documents, or waiting for processing to complete.

 

I'm guessing the invite letter is just to support something that was stated during the interview (i.e. my cousin invited me).

 

Was this a student visa application or tourist visa application?

[Jacen7 3]

This specific case was a Thai man going to USA on B2 to visit relatives.  So it appears they want an invitation letter from his cousin.

[Boiler 45,519]

Why did he not have a Passport?

[Jacen7 3]

They don't know why a passport was asked for as it was presented at the interview.  My guess is that when the additional information letter is received, the passport copy is a way to quickly identify who the letter is from and have that person's information on hand.  

 

I guess my takeaway from this is to write an invitation letter and then if it is asked for by the officer, it will be available.  But to not present it if not asked for.  

Edited June 15, 2019 by Jacen7

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

45 minutes ago, Jacen7 said:

 

I guess my takeaway from this is to write an invitation letter and then if it is asked for by the officer, it will be available.  But to not present it if not asked for.  

...or not complain if the CO doesn't want to see it, which is more usually the reported case!

[Jacen7 3]

23 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

...or not complain if the CO doesn't want to see it, which is more usually the reported case!

Ha, very true.

 

I have another question as we are working on establishing a case for strong ties to home.  My bf has a medical condition that requires him to visit the hospital at regular intervals for medication and checkups.  Could this be a compelling reason to ensure a return home?  Or does introducing a medical condition add another complication or reason for a CO to deny a visa  .  We are hoping my bf can visit in October, and he would need to return home end of October to go to the hospital, and he can provide documentation about the appointment.    

[apple21 953]

Everything the CO wants to know is on the DS160. His answers during the interview should be consistent with what's on the DS160. Any other questions he should give a short and direct answer. Don't volunteer information as COs get annoyed with that (makes the applicant sound desperate).

[apple21 953]

As for the invitation letter, if you feel confident having one, then make one. But don't shove it to the COs face. Only provide if asked. 

[Jacen7 3]

Thanks.  Just about to submit the DS-160 and one last thing, not sure if he should put "friend" or "other" for relationship to me.  Which would be the right one to put here?

[Pitaya 2,577]

54 minutes ago, Jacen7 said:

Thanks.  Just about to submit the DS-160 and one last thing, not sure if he should put "friend" or "other" for relationship to me.  Which would be the right one to put here?

The truth.