chances of visa for first time travel overseas

[nikki17 0]

hey all, I am from South Africa i am planning my first trip to the US its actually my very first trip overseas . I am doing a 3 week trip through Monument Valley which I am planning on booking through a travel company in the US , I am 40 years old, been in my job for 13 years , will be paying for my own way. I have read some horror stories about visas being denied because someone has never been overseas before. This is a trip in a lifetime for me and one I have bee planning for 3 years now. What are my chances of being denied because I have never traveled abroad before?

thanks a lot

[MrsBonsu 138]

Hi, as with any visa you shouldn't make plans until it's in your hand, there can be delays or denials and then you lose money!, the answer to your post is you will have to prove strong ties to your country what will make you want to return back home? This is what the embassy looks for when applying for any kind of visitor visa if you don't have strong evidence of this then they will deny

[canadian_wife 1,785]

Your job tie to SA is good, what other ties do you have? Home? Family? Car? Bring as much as you can to the interview and although the above advice is correct, an itinerary of your trip might be helpful to bring as well.

Good luck

[MrsBonsu 138]

There are specific requirements which must be met by applicants to qualify for a visitor visa under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The consular officer at the embassy or consulate will determine whether you qualify for the visa.

The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;

That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;

Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;

Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and

That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties that will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

Applying for a Visitor Visa

Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of review than in the past so it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79, with few exceptions. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by embassy or consulate. Making your appointment for an interview is the first step in the visa application process. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the internet at Visa Wait Times , and on most embassy websites. Learn how to schedule an appointment for an interview, pay the application processing fee, review embassy specific instructions, and much more by visiting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply.

During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicants interview by a Consular Officer.

[nikki17 0]

Your job tie to SA is good, what other ties do you have? Home? Family? Car? Bring as much as you can to the interview and although the above advice is correct, an itinerary of your trip might be helpful to bring as well.

Good luck

Thank you for your answer, I have no kids and I am not married although in a long term relationship , I have a 10 year rental agreement, my mom is retiring and will be living with me, my brothers all live here. I am just concerned they may deny because I have never traveled before.

There are specific requirements which must be met by applicants to qualify for a visitor visa under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The consular officer at the embassy or consulate will determine whether you qualify for the visa.

The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;

That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;

Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;

Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and

That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties that will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

Applying for a Visitor Visa

Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of review than in the past so it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79, with few exceptions. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by embassy or consulate. Making your appointment for an interview is the first step in the visa application process. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the internet at Visa Wait Times , and on most embassy websites. Learn how to schedule an appointment for an interview, pay the application processing fee, review embassy specific instructions, and much more by visiting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply.

During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicants interview by a Consular Officer.

hi there, thank you so much for the info!

[az2014 381]

Countries I previously travelled to was one of the questioned asked to me at my B2 interview.

So yes I would say it will impact your chances.

[nikki17 0]

Countries I previously travelled to was one of the questioned asked to me at my B2 interview.

So yes I would say it will impact your chances.

so in other words no visa will be granted to anyone who has never traveled before? not everyone can afford to go overseas especially when youre from Africa. I had always planned to take a trip to Monument Valley and when I had the means to do so I would and now I can. surely there have been first time travelers to the US before

[canadian_wife 1,785]

No, no one here has said your visa will be denied because you have not traveled overseas. All the above poster was saying is that it can impact the decision.

Be prepared with your ties and your itinerary and be confident with your answers

good luck

[arken 4,197]

If you are denied a visa, it will not be because of your first travel overseas but because the CO thought you would stay in US and not return back. While the previous travel overseas might have an effect, the overall approval/denial is based on your ties to your home country. Not all people travelling overseas for the first time are denied a visa to US and not all people who have travelled previously are granted a visa to US.

[KierenHby 897]

Countries I previously travelled to was one of the questioned asked to me at my B2 interview.

So yes I would say it will impact your chances.

Not having traveled overseas could impact your chances. You may be asked why the US, and not, say Tanzania or Kenya that are similarly popular with adventure tourists.

[nikki17 0]

Not having traveled overseas could impact your chances. You may be asked why the US, and not, say Tanzania or Kenya that are similarly popular with adventure tourists.

Thanks for your answer. I live in Africa it's pretty much the same wherever you go. If I was planning a once in a lifetime holiday Monument Valley is it,certainly not Africa were I grew up in. hopefully they will see my intent is a holiday not immigration

No, no one here has said your visa will be denied because you have not traveled overseas. All the above poster was saying is that it can impact the decision.

Be prepared with your ties and your itinerary and be confident with your answers

good luck

Thank you