B2 Tourist Visa for Indian Passport Holder living in UK

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

I applied for a B2 tourist visa and I am confused. 

 

Preliminary Information 

 

1. I hold a UK ILR (Permanent Residency) but with an Indian Passport. I have been in the UK for the last 6+ years

2. I am a permanent employee with more than sufficient funds to pay for my own ticket, stay and visiting tourist places

3. I once held a B1/B2 visa (issued in September 2006) under which I did not travel to the USA

 

Visa Application

 

- I completed the DS160 form and submitted it online

- I booked an interview appointment and here is how the interview went

• Have you been to the US before? No, this is my first time. 
• What is the purpose of your visit? I am visiting my brother who lives in Texas and visit few places of tourist importance. 
• So, this is a holiday? Yes, this is a holiday. 

 

The officer then said "We are done here" and she told me that her colleague will show me the exit. She returned my passport to me. 

 

If I look at the CEAC Status tracker website (https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx), I find that my application is now in a status of Application Received. (See attached image)

 

However, there is no status as Application Received in the UK US Embassy website. 

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/checking-ceac-nonimmigrant-visa-applicants/

 

The only statuses that are mentioned are

1. No Status
2. Ready
3. Issued
4. Administrative Processing
5. Refused

 

My Questions: 

1. I understand that my visa application, in all probability, is refused as she has returned my passport. But, I was not given a reason at all. So, how can I find out the reason?
2. Will I be given a letter sent via post (mail) indicating the reasons?
3. So, what does this status of Application Received mean?

 

The only other place where I can read about Application Received is it appears to be a new status that they are issuing. 

 

Any insights into what probably happened and what the next steps are would be really helpful.  

[millefleur 5,034]

Sorry to say but if they didn't take your passport it seems you've been denied.

 

They did not give you a slip of paper explaining the reason for your refusal? That's the usual approach. Maybe this CO was just lazy or had run out of said paper slips.

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

Thanks millefleur. 

 

How can I know the reason as to why I was denied the visa?

[millefleur 5,034]

9 minutes ago, Ivan Bliminse said:

Thanks millefleur. 

 

How can I know the reason as to why I was denied the visa?

Tourist visas are almost always denied for the same reason: immigrant intent is assumed because you did not show strong enough ties to your country of residence.

 

They usually give you a piece of paper that says this:

 

 

In your case, it's probably not the issue of funds but just the lack of strong ties to the UK. Since your brother lives in the US, the probably assumed you have stronger ties to the US than to the UK.

 

 

Edited May 26, 2017 by millefleur

[az2014 381]

You are telling me when she returned your passport you did not think to ask the very simple question 'Am I approved or denied?'

[millefleur 5,034]

2 minutes ago, az2014 said:

You are telling me when she returned your passport you did not think to ask the very simple question 'Am I approved or denied?'

I don't blame him for not asking. It's a little confusing and hectic in there. Multiple people talking at once. Plus many applicants are nervous because getting a visa might be a life changing thing for some people.

 

If he was denied, which appears to be the case, and the CO forgot to give him the paper explaining it, then the CO was the one who messed up, not the OP.

Edited May 26, 2017 by millefleur

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

Slightly pessimistic question, was I simply denied for this instance of visa application or permanently refused? 

 

If former, I believe I can re-apply as per the above provided sample letter. Is that correct?

 

If it is the latter, would I be notified of why I am being permanently denied? I do not believe I lied in the DS160 form. 

[millefleur 5,034]

1 minute ago, Ivan Bliminse said:

Slightly pessimistic question, was I simply denied for this instance of visa application or permanently refused? 

 

If former, I believe I can re-apply as per the above provided sample letter. Is that correct?

 

If it is the latter, would I be notified of why I am being permanently denied? I do not believe I lied in the DS160 form. 

I sincerely doubt you were permanently denied. If you were, you almost certainly would be informed.

 

The only thing I'm wondering: do you work for a profession which might be seen as dangerous to the security of the US? Or do you have any such related work history?

 

Did you answer "yes" to any of those security related questions?

 

If you did not lie and have no issue with the security concerns, you were probably just denied because of not having strong enough ties.

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

@millefleur No, I work as a CRM Software Consultant in an IT company. None of my clients are defense related, although I work on some government projects but they have nothing to do with security. There was no other questions regarding the security. In fact, I only had 3 questions. 

 

Thanks I will re-apply, possibly from my home country (India). 

[Cathi 5,607]

Why did you apply for a visitor visa when you could have use the VWP?

[HandmadeTurnip 150]

17 minutes ago, mimolicious said:

Why did you apply for a visitor visa when you could have use the VWP?

 

He's not a British citizen and so isn't eligible for the VWP. 

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

33 minutes ago, mimolicious said:

Why did you apply for a visitor visa when you could have use the VWP?

I only hold an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) so I suppose I am not eligible for VWP as I still hold an Indian Passport. Or did I goof it up?

 

The CO did write "ILTR Card" on my DS160 form along with "B1B2". She did see my ILR Card though. 

[Ivan Bliminse 4]

I have just received an email asking me to come back again for an interview. The email reads as follows. 

 

Quote

 

An agent from the U.S. Department of State Consulate in London modified your Visa Application status to indicate that an additional in-person Consulate appointment is required for

IVAN BLIMINSE

There is no additional Visa application fee required to make this new appointment. Please sign-in to your account at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-GB/niv/account, and follow the instructions to schedule an additional consulate appointment

 

Quote

 

Processor Comments: 

It does not appear that on the day of your appointment you proceeded with the second part of your visa interview. You will therefore be required to schedule a new appointment in order to come to the Embassy and complete your application. 

 

 

I am now thoroughly confused.

 

1. Are there two interviews?
2. I thought the lady who was in counter 10 was the CO and what we spoke was the actual interview. Is that not the case?

I feel like complete and total idiot. :-(

Edited May 26, 2017 by Ivan Bliminse

[HandmadeTurnip 150]

13 minutes ago, Ivan Bliminse said:

I have just received an email asking me to come back again for an interview. The email reads as follows. 

 

 

I am now thoroughly confused.

 

1. Are there two interviews?
2. I thought the lady who was in counter 10 was the CO and what we spoke was the actual interview. Is that not the case?

I feel like complete and total idiot. :-(

 

I'm not sure if it's the same for B-2 visas but I had to hand over my documents at one of the windows next to the waiting area and then sit down again. Then I was called to one of the higher number windows around the back for my actual interview.

[millefleur 5,034]

23 minutes ago, Ivan Bliminse said:

I have just received an email asking me to come back again for an interview. The email reads as follows. 

 

 

I am now thoroughly confused.

 

1. Are there two interviews?
2. I thought the lady who was in counter 10 was the CO and what we spoke was the actual interview. Is that not the case?

I feel like complete and total idiot. :-(

Calm down. This message looks very promising actually. It says "additional interview."

 

So you need to go back again and see what the deal is. Clearly something didn't go right and you're being invited back to the Embassy. So, go make a new appointment and see what happens. You might get a visa after all!

Edited May 26, 2017 by millefleur