Regarding Tourist Visa in Kolkata : Some Specifics !!

[amlan70 0]

Hi All,

I am from Kolkata , India & Prior to appllying for K1 my fiance and me decided that I should go for a trip to US and then after she wd come here .Now i have got the following things before applying for the tourist visa to show strong touches :

a) 3 Invitation letter from my cousin sister, cousin brother and my fiance( whom i wd show as my friend )

B) A letter from my Institute that I have my project running for 1 yr and that I have to dipositmy final project to get my certificate.

c) An appartment in my name in which my family lives.

d) Letters from doctor that my father has just undergone Angiogram and he is sick.

e) MY LIC & Mediclaim here and my bank account here .

I needed to know a few things :

a) I am showing a sum of money around Rs.2,00,000 in my bank....wd it do ?? or what is the exact sum of money to be shown ??

B) THough I am a freelancer but I am still a student thus I cannot show a income source .Thus I am showing that my dad is providing the money for my trip.Wd it cause any hassle??

c) Also heard that US Consolate in Kolkata denies visas a lot ...and mumbai & delhi consolate is better .Is this true ..... ??

I would be obliged if someone can help me !!!! This is urgent for me ...

[bszoom42 0]

Are you the U.S. Citizen?

And I assume you are trying to file K-1 for your fiancee who is an Indian Citizen?

What is the tourist visa for? For her to visit the U.S. during the K-1 or before you file the K-1?

[ELW 5]

It sounds to me like amlan70 is in Kolkata, India and his fiancee is from USA. They decided first he would visit US on a tourist visa and then his fiancee would come to India to visit, then afterwards file for K1.

It is actually hard to get a tourist visa anywhere in India, but you may have enough proof to do so. You can try to apply and if refused, no problem, your fiancee can easily come and visit you in India.

I don't know many details about getting a tourist visa in India, hopefully some other members with more info on tourist visas will answer. Good luck!

[amlan70 0]

YES I AM THE INDIAN CITIZEN......AND MY FIANCE SHE IS FROM USA..............WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS EXACTLY AS ELW TOLD. CAN SOMEONE ANSWER MY QUERIES !!! ???

[bszoom42 0]

Regarding a Visitor B1/B2 to USA for you, the Indian Citizen, this is very difficult to get.

1. You are saying that your father is sick. If your father is sick, what pressing business/personal reason do you have for leaving him and visiting the U.S.?

2. The fact that you have no income is not very good, as the Consular Official may think you are leaving India to get a job in the U.S.

3. Your bank account does not show evidence you will return to India - it just shows that you can afford the trip if they allow you to go.

4. I don't think you can choose the Consulate to apply at - it is probably based on your residence.

It is far, far easier for your U.S. fiancee to visit you.

Best of luck!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

My letter might be a little bit different, but the wording can be adjusted a little bit.

I should warn again, It's very difficult to get a tourist visa from India, but it's always worth a shot, since it should not have any major impact once you 2 decide to settle down and file for k1 or cr1 hmm ok the immigration process. Here's the letter I had sent for my sister in law.

United States Consulate General

Consulate General of the United States of America

Locate Consulate office

Subject: Letter of Invitation for Ms. XXXXXXXXX

Dear Honorable Consul:

1. My name is XXXXXX( name of us person sending the invitation ); I reside at XXXXXXXX

2. I am a United States citizen.

3. I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to XXXXX, in order

to allow her to visit me and my wife in the United States.

4. Ms. XXXXXX in Law; she is related to my wife

Mrs. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, maiden name XXXX XXXXXXXXXXX

5. She will be visiting us from date--date . My XXXXXXXXX

and my wife are very closed, she’s a very honest and fun all around person,

we would love to have her with us for the XXXXXXXXX holiday. (Summer Vacation)

6. During her stay in the United States, she will stay with us at the address

stated above. I will be responsible for all of her room and board expenses

while she is in the United States.

7. Upon the termination of her visit, she will return to xxxxxx, India.

8. Ms. XXXXX will be presenting this letter to you, together with

other evidence showing her close ties to XXXXXXXX(City home Country), and to assure you that

she will return prior to the expiration of the visa once issued by your consulate.

Your kind consideration to this request will be greatly appreciated.

Yours truly,

[amlan70 0]

So what can i do regarding the income part ???I do freelancing here and some outsourced jobs ..wd i show those contracts (with money amount promised ) i had for US outsourced jobs?

Regarding the bank account I am planning to ask my cousin to show that he is sponsoring me by making him sign a I-134 , so that I can show my money for use in India.

How important is showing our appartment on my name ???

Pls advice if I can do something more regarding this .

Regarding a Visitor B1/B2 to USA for you, the Indian Citizen, this is very difficult to get.

1. You are saying that your father is sick. If your father is sick, what pressing business/personal reason do you have for leaving him and visiting the U.S.?

2. The fact that you have no income is not very good, as the Consular Official may think you are leaving India to get a job in the U.S.

3. Your bank account does not show evidence you will return to India - it just shows that you can afford the trip if they allow you to go.

4. I don't think you can choose the Consulate to apply at - it is probably based on your residence.

It is far, far easier for your U.S. fiancee to visit you.

Best of luck!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Without a Valid Job Letter with a company letter head, stating you are taking leave from work for that period of time and is due back to work on such and such date.

Without having an apartment on your name so you can show the list agrement.

Without a financial record to show you are financial independent in India, by showing a letter from your bank, it would show how long you had your account open.

Without some forms of financial records like a DMAT accounts, draft checks, and saving records, I would say it's best for your fiancee to come to India to see you, since your chance of getting the Visa is VERY SLIM.

The bad part of this whole B2 tourist Visa, there's nothing much the person in the states can do to help you out beside the invitation letter and to back it up with the Affidate of support since that one is mostly my immigrating purposes.

Since you are coming to visit, It's up TO YOU ONLY, to show to the consulate that you have valid reason to come back to INDIA.

[JanaknJanet 0]

I agree with the fact that India is difficult to obtain B1/B2 not impossible. but rather difficult.

Amlan70..

Please make it clear of the ties you have..

get as many proof of ties.. ie letters from employers.

Banking history .(not sure of amount that is necessary)

if your Fiance can .. try and have her do a sponsor.. AOS.. form I-134.

Documents relating to the applicant: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/tourist_visas.html

* If the applicant is employed, the employment and salary details

* Income tax statements and documents to show the assets of the applicant, if any

* A No Objection Letter or Certificate and leave sanctioned letter if the applicant is in Government service or with any of the Armed Forces.

more info on tourist visa requirements

There it states bank info should have min of 6 month history of maintained balance of aprox $5000 USD

I wish you the best on your choice.. read everything.. and if need be over prepared..

If you are young.. it might be a bit harder.. but then . again.. you just never know..

********

Jan and I have been looking into the B2 visa as well.. need to at least see each other again. .. even tho family troubles is causing us to delay our K-1 filing..

Jan has been invited to Canada for some work... and is needed to attend meeting in Denmark for some business dealings as well... Since he will be so close.. we have decided for him to try for his B1/B2.

He is aware also of the difficulties for anyone to get b2 visa if they have never traveled before.

If you have never traveled and don't have residence in your name.. nor employment letter on ties.. I am sorry to say but I think it may be very difficult.

Jan.. has in his passport.. trip to Africa. (numerous country stamps from there) A trip to Belgium for a month.. sponsored by a business associate. He has a 2 yr visa unconditional to Singapore based on his employers govt account he had to audit. Passport stamps from Bali and Singapore and Malaysia.

He has talked to VFS.. went to Ahmedabad.. paid the fees.. ohh was on a Saturday.. told to return on the following Tuesday for his Receipt with bar codes.. since no one was there to print it.. augh.. so .. once again he travels from Bhavnager to Ahmedabad.. only to once again be told to return next day.. .. when attempting to return next day augh flood.. road from Bhav to Ahmedabad. flooded.. so wait for water to reseed.. Just went back 2 weeks later.. for his receipt.. via Rajkot.. finally making it to the Bank... to be once again turned away and sent to two other banks for the receipt... I told him.. don't leave without it..

FINALLY he has the dang bar codes in his hand..

Now the question is..

since he is fluent in English.. they give him option to do his interview in mumbai or in New Delhi... of course Delhi is much faster.. not a wait like mumbai is no openings for interview until October... and he can get interview within the week from Delhi..

He has letters from business associates here in usa that wish to see him. but we have heard that Business visas are more likely to be denied.. so we have decided just to get him to try for tourist simply.... we will see what he still needs for his visa for Canada.. but.. for now.. this is my main concern..

He has all the stamps on his passport.. showing prior travels..

owns his house.. still in his name even tho his x-wife got it..

he has two children.. needing him to return..

Has a job needing his return .

has his export license showing his business ties..

has all the banking statements.

I have also filled a sponsor form for him and sent the invite along with itinerary for when he was here. if it is required.. since we have been business associates as well and wish to host him along with the Canadian clients.. soo along with my letter was sent my sponsor sheet.. and business tax info.. and will send bank information is anyone here thinks that will help also.

This far into our relationship.. we have to make another visit soon.. and.. with his other trips that are due soon we hope we can get a visa for him to tie a visit to me along with all others..

What I am asking .. is.. any insight on interviews in Delhi> compared to Mumbai..

since he is given option to do interview in either place.. ??

[ELW 5]

Thanks for all the details JanaknJanet, the info is very good for those applying for tourist visas to USA!

I think you both have everything covered so am sending good thoughts and prayers for a smooth approval for Jan, so soon you can be in each other's arms again!

[chri'stina 190]

Amlan...

I know your question in this thread is somewhat different but did you ever read the rest of the advice given to you in the last thread you posted here?

Here's the link...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=80866&st=0

There is no harm in trying to get the visa, but just be realistic in your expectations. The good news is that if you are denied, it will not affect your future K1 visa. My husband tried for a tourist visa before I went to India and was denied for not proving enough ties. So then I visited India months later.

Edited August 17, 2007 by stina&suj