Why was my friend denied a B1/B2 Visa?

[lilstar 4]

12 hours ago, SalishSea said:

This is not normal.   People do not give bank statements to internet strangers unless something sketchy is underfoot.  Again, you were rightly denied.

I agree, but they are not strangers. An i wasn't denied anything...

 

It was because she likely has no intention of returning to her country, and due to the very sketchy circumstances with the Facebook friend.

 

I believe this was the officer's opinion. 

[lilstar 4]

19 minutes ago, MaxP22 said:

Just admit you are the US 'friend'.

 

The reasons your friend in Madagascar was denied are already listed in this thread, no point going over it again. She was rightly denied.

 

The solution here is so easy, go and visit her instead, like you should have done in the first place instead of getting her to apply for a B2.

 

I never denied or admitted i'm the U.S friend and it doesn't matter "here". 

 

Duh.

 

Your solution doesn't make the approval odds much better in the officer eyes.

 

 

 

[lilstar 4]

What i have gotten is that she was denied because the friendship seems stretchy.

 

Basically this is resolved by going to Madagascar and meeting the friend first in person. So the friendship can look more legit in the eyes of the Officer. Then trying again.

[Boiler 45,448]

15 hours ago, Boiler said:

1. She is form Madagascar
2. She is is female
3. Presumably young
4. She wants to fly halfway round the world to take a test to get into language school? Never heard of that.
5. She has no money of consequence
6. No spouse no children
7. A friend she met online is paying for this
8. She has never met the friend
9. A bank statement was provided, I doubt they looked at, if they did there is no way of verifying it and it just confirms 5 above.

I may have missed something, seems there are plenty of reasons to deny.

 

That still leaves quite a few issues.

[lilstar 4]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

That still leaves quite a few issues.

 

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Depends on what is considered young but i will say mid 20's.

4. Not a language school. Yes she want's to study in USA.

5. She does have money.

6. Correct

7. Well this will change soon, The U.S friend will fly and meet her in Madagascar. 

8. refer to 7.

9. A Bank officer statement was provided which is different from a regular bank statement and they 

definitely can be verified. No they didn't look at it. 

[Crazy Cat 41,813]

8 minutes ago, lilstar said:

 

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Depends on what is considered young but i will say mid 20's.

4. Not a language school. Yes she want's to study in USA.

5. She does have money.

6. Correct

7. Well this will change soon, The U.S friend will fly and meet her in Madagascar. 

8. refer to 7.

9. A Bank officer statement was provided which is different from a regular bank statement and they 

definitely can be verified. No they didn't look at it. 

None of that helps to overcome the assumption of immigrant intent....which is the most common obstacle for non-immigrant visa applicants.  She needs very strong ties to home country to convince the CO she will return home.  Until she has that evidence, don't expect the application results to change.  Good luck.

Edited August 16, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Timona 4,207]

18 hours ago, lilstar said:

You don't understand people sometimes because you can't relate to people sometimes. Not everyone has the ability to learn another language like you were able to using an app. Some people need a classroom setting. An USA was chosen because she would roommate with her friend who lives in USA.  

 

So English can only be learned in USA? Dios Mios!

 

Australia and South Africa are closer to Madagascar, cheap and they speak English. 

 

This "I wanna learn English in USA" is old already. Just get the right visa for what you really want to do and not "camouflage" intentions. 

[lilstar 4]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

None of that helps to overcome the assumption of immigrant intent....which the most common obstacle for non-immigrant visa applicants. 

100% agree, that's what i been saying. It might slightly improve the chances but it's not going to overcome immigrant intent. However the U.S friend was going to visit anyway.

[Timona 4,207]

27 minutes ago, lilstar said:

What i have gotten is that she was denied because the friendship seems stretchy.

 

Basically this is resolved by going to Madagascar and meeting the friend first in person. So the friendship can look more legit in the eyes of the Officer. Then trying again.

 

Wait, what???

 

This looks like trying the mythical "invitation letter."

 

It doesn't matter who pays for her trip. What matters is "what will force her back to Madagascar " after her trip is done. Your friend visiting Madagascar doesn't answer this.

 

This is a very "unique and precious friend" to the fact that the US counterpart is willing to move mountains. I smell "plans changed as soon as I saw the back of CBP. I felt right at home in USA/ we fell in love right away. It was not intentional."

[Redro 4,611]

50 minutes ago, lilstar said:

 

 

 

Maybe, however, you are told to be honest in the interview.

 

Earlier, you mention that she should as told the officer her long term goals and now that i mention to you that she did. You are now saying she should have kept it simple. 

 

But, because she also has "a friend" (who might be a romantic partner) willing to pay for her entire trip (and maybe school?) the interviewer suspects once she arrives in the US she won't leave. 

 

That's not the case but i do agree with you here. Visa denied because i feel like your friend is your romantic partner.

 

was your friend planning to studying during the first visit? Is it a university? Is it a language school? The interviewer was likely also confused and thought maybe your friend chose the wrong visa. Believe it or not. Many people apply to ESL schools in the US without visiting all of them first. You stated your friend wanted to take the placement test because she didn't know what courses she will take but usually language schools are very simple- you apply to go to the school and you choose the days/hours you want to study. Then when you arrive- you take a placement test and you are assigned a level. You do not take a placement test and then return a few months later - because your language level might have improved during that time. Even if your English level has not improved they would probably make you take the placement test again because if the school is like any of the language schools I've been to... placement tests are taken at the start of the course and at the end of the course. 

 

No, the first visit was only for the placement test.

No, it isn't a language school.

No the Officer wasn't confused he understood exactly what her intent was, the correct visa for selected for her intent.

 

. You stated your friend wanted to take the placement test because she didn't know what courses she will take but usually language schools are very simple- you apply to go to the school and you choose the days/hours you want to study. Then when you arrive- you take a placement test and you are assigned a level. You do not take a placement test and then return a few months later - because your language level might have improved during that time.

 

I agree with you on how the placement test works. However, your language skill is not going to improve during that time if she is returning back to a french speaking country with no intent to further her English until she is approved to study back at that school. 

 

Even if your English level has not improved they would probably make you take the placement test again because if the school is like any of the language schools I've been to... placement tests are taken at the start of the course and at the end of the course. 

 

Which wouldn't change anything then, she would be taking the same classes they recommended her to her before.

 

 

Arguing with me over the consulate’s decision isn’t going to get your friend her visa. 
Your friend was denied and I’ve outlined the reasons I believe she was denied. 
Yes, you should be honest but you shouldn’t overshare. 
She complicated matters by explaining her plans too far in the future with someone she hasn’t met and to a school she didn’t know if she would or wouldn’t attend.

The final thing I will say is: as unfair as it is.
Young unmarried women are often denied visit visas to the US. 
Then the next factor leading to denial is going to meet a friend they met online- before it would be more problematic if the friend was male. Now because same sex marriage is legal in the US. Going to the US to meet a female friend has a similar outcome. 
 

The student visa/ no student visa/study in the US with what visa/ placement test issue just adds to a reason for denial as it sounds like the friend wants to go to the US and live there indefinitely but with no specific plan and no financial backing. 

 

I’ve said all I can. I’m sorry the visa was denied. It does seem unfair but with her profile I don’t see things changing anytime soon. 

[lilstar 4]

4 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

So English can only be learned in USA? Dios Mios!

 

Australia and South Africa are closer to Madagascar, cheap and they speak English. 

 

This "I wanna learn English in USA" is old already. Just get the right visa for what you really want to do and not "camouflage" intentions. 

 

So English can only be learned in USA? Dios Mios!

 

When did i say that?

 

Australia and South Africa are closer to Madagascar, cheap and they speak English. 

 

And?

 

This "I wanna learn English in USA" is old already. Just get the right visa for what you really want to do and not "camouflage" intentions. 

 

So now your telling me she is lying about her intentions of going to the USA? Care to show me your proof on this accusation. If she was lying about this whole thing wouldn't you think a better lie would have been told when she was ask where she met her friend?

[lilstar 4]

6 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

Wait, what???

 

This looks like trying the mythical "invitation letter."

 

It doesn't matter who pays for her trip. What matters is "what will force her back to Madagascar " after her trip is done. Your friend visiting Madagascar doesn't answer this.

 

This is a very "unique and precious friend" to the fact that the US counterpart is willing to move mountains. I smell "plans changed as soon as I saw the back of CBP. I felt right at home in USA/ we fell in love right away. It was not intentional."

 

The statement i made was going off the advice given in this thread, i never said that was what i think would work.

 

It doesn't matter who pays for her trip. What matters is "what will force her back to Madagascar " after her trip is done. Your friend visiting Madagascar doesn't answer this.

 

I know.

 

So are you giving your opinion on what you think is going to happen or what you think the officer opinion is?

[lilstar 4]

10 minutes ago, Redro said:

Arguing with me over the consulate’s decision isn’t going to get your friend her visa. 
Your friend was denied and I’ve outlined the reasons I believe she was denied. 
Yes, you should be honest but you shouldn’t overshare. 
She complicated matters by explaining her plans too far in the future with someone she hasn’t met and to a school she didn’t know if she would or wouldn’t attend.

The final thing I will say is: as unfair as it is.
Young unmarried women are often denied visit visas to the US. 
Then the next factor leading to denial is going to meet a friend they met online- before it would be more problematic if the friend was male. Now because same sex marriage is legal in the US. Going to the US to meet a female friend has a similar outcome. 
 

The student visa/ no student visa/study in the US with what visa/ placement test issue just adds to a reason for denial as it sounds like the friend wants to go to the US and live there indefinitely but with no specific plan and no financial backing. 

 

I’ve said all I can. I’m sorry the visa was denied. It does seem unfair but with her profile I don’t see things changing anytime soon. 

lol So you think i'm arguing with you? I wouldn't waste my time. I wouldn't respond if i didn't value your opinion. 

 

Yes, you should be honest but you shouldn’t overshare. 
She complicated matters by explaining her plans too far in the future with someone she hasn’t met and to a school she didn’t know if she would or wouldn’t attend.

The final thing I will say is: as unfair as it is.
Young unmarried women are often denied visit visas to the US. 
Then the next factor leading to denial is going to meet a friend they met online- before it would be more problematic if the friend was male. Now because same sex marriage is legal in the US. Going to the US to meet a female friend has a similar outcome. 

 

I agree, but she did know she would attend, assuming she is granted the student visa after the visit on the b1/b2 visa.

 

The student visa/ no student visa/study in the US with what visa/ placement test issue just adds to a reason for denial as it sounds like the friend wants to go to the US and live there indefinitely but with no specific plan and no financial backing. 

 

Going to the USA to take a placement test and returning on a student visa is a specific plan and she does have a financial backing.

[Redro 4,611]

9 minutes ago, lilstar said:

 

Going to the USA to take a placement test and returning on a student visa is a specific plan and she does have a financial backing.

If her ultimate plan was to attend the school in the US and she had the financial backing she applied for the incorrect visa. 
Technically, there is nothing wrong with applying for a tourist visa first. 
But, it is theoretically possible to CHANGE STATUS from B1/B2 to F1. 
She should have applied for the F1 if everything was in place and she knew which school she was going to study at. Now, it would not be guaranteed that the F1 would be granted. But from everything you’ve told me. I now think she applied for the incorrect visa. 
 

Thank you again for sharing your story. I know you feel frustrated about the outcome but know that many people. Especially, single woman with a job and an apartment in their home country get denied. And they usually have even smaller chance of receiving the visa especially if they have a friend they are visiting. 

[SalishSea 17,802]

1 hour ago, lilstar said:

I agree, but they are not strangers. An i wasn't denied anything...

 

It was because she likely has no intention of returning to her country, and due to the very sketchy circumstances with the Facebook friend.

 

I believe this was the officer's opinion. 

 

A “stranger” is someone you’ve never met in person.   Gaming/texting/video chatting is not “meeting.”   
 

Exactly the reason an in-person meeting is required for K-1 couples…..