New around here...

[rnkew 0]

Hello!

Questions from a newbie... who is very happy to find this site....

I met my boyfriend while I was on vacation in Argentina. He attempted to obtain a B2 visa in Feb 2009 (he has never traveled outside SA). The consular didn't even truly interview him. He was one of 100 people, and only about 5 received visas. They didn't look at any of his documentation, which included a letter from his boss (who is also his cousin) and bank statements, plus a roundtrip flight reservation. He is going to apply a second time, this time with additional letters. How can we be absolutely sure that his documentation is reviewed by the US Embassy? And if he is denied a second time (I don't think I could handle it-- I just want him to meet my family & friends--he is definitely the One), does that hinder our chances of approval for a K-1 visa in the near future? Also, I would love advice from anyone who has dealt with the US Embassy in Buenos Aires...

Thank you!

[Hell0W0rld 10]

to obtain a B-2 Visa, your boyfriend needs to show strong ties to his country and provide enough document to prove that he will return to his home country, denials of the B-2 visa will not affect your future K-1 VISA...

[Badgerella 5]

Hello!

Questions from a newbie... who is very happy to find this site....

I met my boyfriend while I was on vacation in Argentina. He attempted to obtain a B2 visa in Feb 2009 (he has never traveled outside SA). The consular didn't even truly interview him. He was one of 100 people, and only about 5 received visas. They didn't look at any of his documentation, which included a letter from his boss (who is also his cousin) and bank statements, plus a roundtrip flight reservation. He is going to apply a second time, this time with additional letters. How can we be absolutely sure that his documentation is reviewed by the US Embassy? And if he is denied a second time (I don't think I could handle it-- I just want him to meet my family & friends--he is definitely the One), does that hinder our chances of approval for a K-1 visa in the near future? Also, I would love advice from anyone who has dealt with the US Embassy in Buenos Aires...

Thank you!

You can't be sure that the documentation is reviewed and it often won't be. It's up to a CO, even though the rules and rights they have listed on the website say that every case is treated separately and that they'll look and consider everything you show them. They just simply won't. I've had four B2s denied and only twice the COs actually looked at my papers or talked to me about anything other than my name and a few other generalia. To make it even more weird, Croatia has a really low B2 denial rate and is not what's considered a high fraud country in any way. My problem was, likely, the first CO, who was a middleaged woman, who marked her decision as - "I can't issue this visitor visa for your own safety, as you intend to go visit someone you met on the Internet." (?!?!?!?)

Either way, we're far through the K1 process now (interview happening in a few weeks) and we've not had any problems so far, other than Administrative Processing at NVC level, which may or may not have something to do with those B2 denials. Likely not, as it seems more and more people get stuck at NVC (and never find out why).

Good luck!

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Hello!

Questions from a newbie... who is very happy to find this site....

I met my boyfriend while I was on vacation in Argentina. He attempted to obtain a B2 visa in Feb 2009 (he has never traveled outside SA). The consular didn't even truly interview him. He was one of 100 people, and only about 5 received visas. They didn't look at any of his documentation, which included a letter from his boss (who is also his cousin) and bank statements, plus a roundtrip flight reservation. He is going to apply a second time, this time with additional letters. How can we be absolutely sure that his documentation is reviewed by the US Embassy? And if he is denied a second time (I don't think I could handle it-- I just want him to meet my family & friends--he is definitely the One), does that hinder our chances of approval for a K-1 visa in the near future? Also, I would love advice from anyone who has dealt with the US Embassy in Buenos Aires...

Thank you!

You cannot gaurantee anyone will look at his documentation. Likely they will not. No, a tourist visa denial will not affect the K-1 IF the reasons are "the usual" which it appears they are. If he is "denied for cause" such as a criminal record, then it coul dhurt the K-1 visa.

Argentina's approval rate of tourist visas appears to be about 5 times that of Ukraine's. We never bothered to try. I went to visit her 6 times. You may want to consider the same. Buying plane tickets gets expenisve when you do not get a visa.

[Old Dominion 26]

If the purpose of the visit is to visit his girlfriend, it will likely be denied. Unless he can prove without a doubt that he must return to Venezuela. It doesn't take much paperwork to prove that -- home ownership, job, etc.

[pushbrk 14,055]

If meeting your family is a high priority, your best bet is for them to enjoy a nice visit to Argentina.

[John24689 0]

Getting a visitor's visa can be easy and can be hard. My wife's mother went three times before she got a one year visa. This time she went two times to get a one year visa. My wife's girlfriend has been one time and got denied. There are many who go one time and get approved. I wish I knew the secret. Strong ties to returning home is definitely needed. If someone knows the secret, please share with us. Thanks. Good luck on your journey.

[rnkew 0]

Thanks for all the information.

My boyfriend's 1st B2 visa attempt in Feb 2009 was rejected under Section 214(b) at the Buenos Aires US Embassy.

He does have strong ties to his country. Why didn't they look at his documents?? He tried to overcome the burden of proof... he wasn't even given the opportunity to say or present anything.

Also... he never mentioned that he was going to the US for purposes of visiting his girlfriend. He left me out of the picture. He did mention that while in the US, he was going to visit his uncle, who is a US citizen. Perhaps that was a bad idea?

In the meantime, I'm visiting him as much as I can (I've been twice and have met his entire family and his friends)... but I just wondered if anyone could shed some more light for me... why is it so difficult to obtain a US visa from Argentina? What documentation, besides a letter from his boss and bank statements, can he provide?? He doesn't own any property, but all of his family (minus his uncle) live within the same few blocks in BA.

Any thoughts in regards that my parents wrote a letter to the Ambassador of the US Embassy in Argentina? They didn't say anything about our relationship, just that they would love to host him when he visits the US, as their children have had the good fortune to travel to Argentina, experience the culture, learn Spanish, etc... They did it out of love for me... because they see me happy and in love... hopefully it doesn't anger the consulate office?

Does anyone have any experiences about the BA US Embassy they can share?? Or any advice in regards to the above??

Thanks to all. I really enjoy reading about other people's situations and questions and have learned so much.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

Thanks for all the information.

My boyfriend's 1st B2 visa attempt in Feb 2009 was rejected under Section 214b at the Buenos Aires US Embassy.

Section 214b is the usual one visas and entry attempts are declined for. Basically, within US immigration law, section 214b states that all non-immigrants are assumed to have immigrant intend unless they can prove otherwise. Its a 'guilty until proven innocent" mentality.

Can he fly to Mexico? If he can get closer, then maybe you (and your family) can have a visit in Mexico.

My fiance can't come to the US (until her K-1 is issued) because she was turned around at the border last fall. We meet in BC, Canada. That way I don't have to take as much time off work to fly to the southern hemisphere. She does the long haul and I just drive a few hours north.

Edited March 19, 2009 by Ed+Cindy

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Thanks for all the information.

My boyfriend's 1st B2 visa attempt in Feb 2009 was rejected under Section 214(B) at the Buenos Aires US Embassy.

He does have strong ties to his country. Why didn't they look at his documents?? He tried to overcome the burden of proof... he wasn't even given the opportunity to say or present anything.

Also... he never mentioned that he was going to the US for purposes of visiting his girlfriend. He left me out of the picture. He did mention that while in the US, he was going to visit his uncle, who is a US citizen. Perhaps that was a bad idea?

In the meantime, I'm visiting him as much as I can (I've been twice and have met his entire family and his friends)... but I just wondered if anyone could shed some more light for me... why is it so difficult to obtain a US visa from Argentina? What documentation, besides a letter from his boss and bank statements, can he provide?? He doesn't own any property, but all of his family (minus his uncle) live within the same few blocks in BA.

Any thoughts in regards that my parents wrote a letter to the Ambassador of the US Embassy in Argentina? They didn't say anything about our relationship, just that they would love to host him when he visits the US, as their children have had the good fortune to travel to Argentina, experience the culture, learn Spanish, etc... They did it out of love for me... because they see me happy and in love... hopefully it doesn't anger the consulate office?

Does anyone have any experiences about the BA US Embassy they can share?? Or any advice in regards to the above??

Thanks to all. I really enjoy reading about other people's situations and questions and have learned so much.

Hi,

When I applied for a B2, I presented school records, pay stubs & bank statements. Think of financial obligations: does he have a car? Does he have a credit card?

Also be honest about the purpose of your trip, but don't make a big deal about it either. In my application, under person I'd be staying with in the US, I wrote down my (then BF, now husband's) name. The CO asked me: This Justin, is he your boyfriend? I answered he's definitely more than a friend. He continued to ask about us, easily 10 times,but I didn't loose my patience. Just explained that we liked each other but were in the phase of getting to know each other too, and I got approved.

We did obey the terms of the visa, I came back to Argentina after my trip, and he continued to visit me, later got engaged and applied for a K1 visa.

More information on the Embassy's web site

BA Embassy

Good Luck,

Caro