Applying for Green Card, haven't been interviewed yet but B2 visa got revoked

[KrishnaBanana 8]

I received an email from FPMManila@state.gov saying:

Quote

On behalf of the United States Department of State, the U.S. Embassy hereby informs you that additional information became available after your visa was issued and your B1/B2 visa with expiration date 13-Sep-2027 has been revoked, in accordance with Section 221(i) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.  You should not attempt to travel with your visa to the United States, as you will not be permitted to enter the U.S. and will be returned to your point of origin.

Is this normal?

 

Context: I'm a frequent traveler (to just anywhere, because I'm a digital nomad), but I got detained during my last visit to the US because apparently I've been spending a lot of time there with my husband (more than 6 months out of the year). I had to stay longer the last time I went because we had to take care of some marriage paperwork plus I had to go through a coaching certification program. I noticed they decreased the amount of days I can stay in the US during that time (made it 4 months instead of 6, glad I always check my I-94 so I never overstay). Anyway, during that time, I got my letter for interview back in Manila, so I went home, but my interview got cancelled due to the pandemic quarantine.

 

Just today I got that email today saying my B1/B2 visa got revoked, and I'm a little nervous. Will this affect my green card application? Or does this usually happen when you're about to get your green card? It concerns me that the email came from FPMManila@state.gov (I assume FPM means Fraud Prevention Manager?).

 

To add: as they keep delaying opening up again for interviews, I probably need to pay for the medical again. *sigh*

Edited July 10, 2020 by KrishnaBanana

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

41 minutes ago, KrishnaBanana said:

I received an email from FPMManila@state.gov saying:

Is this normal?

 

Context: I'm a frequent traveler (to just anywhere, because I'm a digital nomad), but I got detained during my last visit to the US because apparently I've been spending a lot of time there with my husband (more than 6 months out of the year). I had to stay longer the last time I went because we had to take care of some marriage paperwork plus I had to go through a coaching certification program. I noticed they decreased the amount of days I can stay in the US during that time (made it 4 months instead of 6, glad I always check my I-94 so I never overstay). Anyway, during that time, I got my letter for interview back in Manila, so I went home, but my interview got cancelled due to the pandemic quarantine.

 

Just today I got that email today saying my B1/B2 visa got revoked, and I'm a little nervous. Will this affect my green card application? Or does this usually happen when you're about to get your green card? It concerns me that the email came from FPMManila@state.gov (I assume FPM means Fraud Prevention Manager?).

 

To add: as they keep delaying opening up again for interviews, I probably need to pay for the medical again. *sigh*

It got revoked because you did not follow the terms of your visa. A rule of thumb is to spend double the amount of time outside the US than inside. This does not usually happen when you apply for a green card. Fortunately this will have no impact on your upcoming CR1.

[KrishnaBanana 8]

Thank you! I think I just need assurance that this won't affect the green card. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

[pushbrk 12,636]

4 hours ago, KrishnaBanana said:

Thank you! I think I just need assurance that this won't affect the green card. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Depending on the exact information, it might.  If it's just misuse by spending to much time in the US, probably not an issue.  

 

Two things.  1. You stayed longer in the US because it suited you and your needs, not because you "had to".  If you are in the USA, do not overstay this time. 

 2.  You are not applying for a green card. You are applying for an immigrant visa.  If you obtain and USE the visa, AND pay the new immigrant fee, you will have permanent resident status, signified by a green card.

[KrishnaBanana 8]

Ahh, thanks for the clarification, pushbrk! 

 

One of the paperwork we had to send to NVC was unfinished (we just didn't know we had to do it, lol), so my husband and I flew to NYC to do that. I stayed for a few more weeks to attend a required retreat for my certification. More than that, staying longer was just convenient, I suppose.

[Stein 276]

Maybe the group knows - could this have happened because you did a coaching certification which could be construed as work or education related on a tourist visa and not the appropriate student or work visa?

[KrishnaBanana 8]

37 minutes ago, Stein said:

Maybe the group knows - could this have happened because you did a coaching certification which could be construed as work or education related on a tourist visa and not the appropriate student or work visa?

Possible. Though I don't think anyone knew, tbh. It's also kind of a gray area, like it's not really formal education and not really work either. It's weird.

[laurangela 0]

Hi! @KrishnaBanana I just saw this today and I am in a (somewhat) similar situation. :) Did you ever know why they revoked your B2 visa in the first place?

 

I didn’t overstay in the US while on a tourist visa. My assumption is it’s because of me needing a sputum collection - I needed to cancel my original interview date (my biggest heartbreak this month). The revocation email didn’t offer additional details so I wanted to know if this is expected.

 

Thanks in advance! And I saw your timeline, glad you’ve been approved! :)

[pushbrk 12,636]

On 7/11/2020 at 3:16 AM, KrishnaBanana said:

Thank you! I think I just need assurance that this won't affect the green card. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Should have no impact on your spouse immigrant visa process.  You are applying for a visa, not a green card.  But, when you receive the visa, pay the new immigrant fee, and actually use the visa to enter the USA, a green card will come in the mail some time later.

[Chancy 6,239]

10 hours ago, laurangela said:

I didn’t overstay in the US while on a tourist visa. My assumption is it’s because of me needing a sputum collection - I needed to cancel my original interview date (my biggest heartbreak this month). The revocation email didn’t offer additional details so I wanted to know if this is expected.

 

I was also tagged for sputum testing and my B1/B2 visa was revoked the week after my medical.  Yes, the tagging for sputum collection is very likely related to the visa revocation.  TB is one of the medical grounds for inadmissibility.  The consulate does not want you to travel to the US while you are being tested for TB.

 

[KrishnaBanana 8]

On 3/15/2022 at 11:51 PM, laurangela said:

Hi! @KrishnaBanana I just saw this today and I am in a (somewhat) similar situation. :) Did you ever know why they revoked your B2 visa in the first place?

 

I didn’t overstay in the US while on a tourist visa. My assumption is it’s because of me needing a sputum collection - I needed to cancel my original interview date (my biggest heartbreak this month). The revocation email didn’t offer additional details so I wanted to know if this is expected.

 

Thanks in advance! And I saw your timeline, glad you’ve been approved! :)

Sorry, this reply is probably too late. I have a hunch it's because I'm in the US very frequently, probably more than 6 months in a year. I didn't overstay my visa either. I would just leave and come back. There's an unwritten rule wherein if you stay in the US for more than 6 months in a year, it's pretty much your place of residence. That violates the purpose of the tourist visa.

 

However, that didn't affect my green card. Though every time I fly into the US, I am held at secondary inspection. It's a little annoying, but they'll let you pass at the airport since technically, you didn't really violate anything.