Tourist Visa Declined, confused and deflated!

[Ross_s 5]

Right, my original thread prior to this is very honest! Would I love to stay in the US? Absolutely... Could I have worked illegally last time? Absolutely... Could I have abused the VWP? Absolutely! Did I do any of these things? No! Did I tell any lies to you lot? No!

It has became obvious to me that me finding LAWFULL employement in New Orleans is never going to happen! So I was quite happy to go visit my friends and yes $7000 is plenty enough! And as soon as my money dried up I was gonna head home!

If I was going there unlawfully why did I not just travel on my ESTA fly into Chicago or Orlando on a contrived vacation catch a bus to Nola and just vanish?

The answer is simple! I had and still have full intent on returning!

I've got thick skin the accusations made by some members do not bother me, the mocking and laughing doesn't either! My story is 100% truthful the only thing I've been guilty of is naievity.

Thanks for all the actual help offered in here though I do really appreciate it.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Ross_s

[Ross_s 5]

I'd love to read a LOGICAL, COHERENT explanation as to how this could take place..........................

Ok, here you go! I work for a close friend whom I tend the bar is his main pub that is part of a rapidly expanding chain of what is now 9 bars and 1 night club. He himself leads a bit of a jetsetting lifestyle always on lengthy vacations around the world he's just back from Vegas and intends to travel route 66 in October.

Anyway he fully supports what I wanted to do granted me up to 6 months unpaid leave and told me if my cash where to run dry he'd support me or help with flight costs home!

Ok so that's how I'm physically able to leave my job.

I intend on returning to the UK to study business administration after my trip!

I first visited New Orleans for football being a massive saints fan I decided to go to the season opener in 2010 through a forum I met some amazing friends and decided that it was possible to extend my trip longer than a planned 2 weeks. I had just finished up studying and decided to take some time out!

I stayed there for 3 months on a little over 3k I paid a third of the household bills at my friends which he shares with another friend. I paid a third of the groceries and we all took turns each to cook. I had already paid in full for a Saints season ticket at face value from my friend!

I spend huge amounts of time outdoors indulging activities which cost very little, like hunting and fishing! And when I'm doing these things I'm also camping!

So no, I have never leached from anyone! And yes it's very pheasible!

What is your problem anyway? Really? You seem to have took this personally all I asked for was a little guidance not jumped all over the top off when I'm already feeling pretty low and distraught at what's happened.

[Gloves 0]

I think I have experienced this woman in the Belfast Consulate before. I have been out to the US on J1 visas for the past 5 years and been interviewed by her three times. (obviously I understand it could be somebody completely different). However, the difference between her and the other guy that interviews is that she is much more meticulous when it comes to evidence of return (and rightly so). She turned me away once and told me to return with more evidence before she issued the visa, which I did and was approved.

My point being, she is only doing her job and I think from what she told me and from reading your story she is right in denying the visa. It is so important you have CONCRETE ties to home that leave absolutely no doubt of not returning. I had to bring in a job contract with a school I was teaching in to show that I had a well paid job to return to. Temporary or part time work isn't sufficient.

Unfortunately, people do abuse the tourist visas so they have to be extra careful. The other catch is that once out of university/college with no mortgage or permanent job it is increasingly hard to prove ties (the issue I had last year).

My best advice is to apply for the VWP and just stay for 90 days and bring a bucket load of evidence and such as who you will be staying with, signed letters from them stating you can stay with them for free, return flight booked, permanent job contract with letter from employer stating you role and what you will be doing when you return etc etc

[Teddy B 17,251]

It's too bad the OP had this other thread, but the facts as being presented by some are not accurate. OP said he wanted to visit 4 months, not 6. OP said he had a place to stay. OP never said his vacation was paid. Many people have a job they can go back to... replacing and then firing a bartender is not too difficult. He was obviously able to save up some money.

Whether or not the op stated he wanted to stay in the US for 4 months and not 6 is irrelevant in this case. The fact is that he was applying for a 6 month visa without any evidence of a return date. The CO has to assume the op is going to stay for the duration of the visa, if not longer. This whole thing stinks of an overstay, I don't know why so many people are so quick to jump to the defense of the op especially after the evidence of his other post wher he states "I'll just have to do it my way".

I'm all for foreign nationals coming to the states for work and travel, but I'm not for people who abuse the system in place. No foreign national has a "right" to be in the US, there are rules that have to be followed to gain entry and if you're not willing to follow them, then yes, go somewhere else with less stringent laws and have a blast. The op's story is not realistic, not to mention he had no return date and no real ties to his homeland. The CO did her job correctly, good for her. All of you bleeding hearts that think we should be more lenient or have open borders so anyone can come and go as they please, remember that the next time 3,000 people get killed by foreign nationals who want to destroy this country. The US is already overloaded with illegal aliens that are draining our economy, we don't need anymore.

[Ross_s 5]

This whole thing stinks of an overstay,

Then why did I not just travel using the VWP and then overstay?

[Boiler 43,453]

So have you re done Esta?

[Ross_s 5]

So have you re done Esta?

I still have an active ESTA from beforehand, the only reason I applied for the visa was as a precaution on the off chance I was able to stay longer, 4 month was realistic 6 was possibly unlikely.

Obviously now if I reapply for an esta there's a strong chance it's gonna decline, so I'm in two minds... Do I now garner evidence to ties and written statements from friends claiming responsibility in ensuring I do not overstay, written evidence from my employer to support that I'm integral in the expansion of his business and I provide him wi more than just a bartender?

And once I have gathered this evidence do I go back to Belfast? Or do I assume travel on my existing ESTA and then present the evidence to the port authority?

[Teddy B 17,251]

Then why did I not just travel using the VWP and then overstay?

Because you were looking to get to stay in the US for 6 months to a year without actually being here illegaly, you wanted an out if you decided you didn't want stay permanently, you said it in your other post. You were going to got to New Orleans, work for one of your buddy"s, and if you liked it, you were going to stay. The one thing that stopped you cold in your tracks is your ignorance of the US immigration laws. I'm glad you "did it your way".

Here's your original post for you to mull over before you ask me why I don't believe you or trust you again.

Ok so here is my situation.

I'm a British national, no criminal record. who frequently visits the USA using the ESTA visa waiver program.

My last stay was my longest, I spent the maximum 3 months in New Orleans living with a friend. At this moment in time my intention is to return for 6 months to a1 year. I understand I will have to travel to the US embassy in Belfast to obtain a tourist visa.

I'm really just looking for guidance on any other options I have.

Basically, I have a large group of friends in New Orleans and I'd love nothing more than to make my stay there permanent something which to me seems impossible barring falling in love and marrying a citizen.

Anyway, I have 3 different people willing to employ me but I do not have any specialist skills and this is where my confusion lies. Any information I have gained from the official web sites and such like indicate you must be in a field of need to gain employment. But from my experience and my friends experiences they are aware of people who have obtained such visas to do menial labour jobs such as waiting tables or construction.

Any help regarding which channels I can go through would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Ross

[Teddy B 17,251]

I still have an active ESTA from beforehand

No you don't. As explained to you earlier, your existing ESTA is now void because you were denied a visa.

[Ross_s 5]

Because you were looking to get to stay in the US for 6 months to a year without actually being here illegaly, you wanted an out if you decided you didn't want stay permanently, you said it in your other post. You were going to got to New Orleans, work for one of your buddy"s, and if you liked it, you were going to stay. The one thing that stopped you cold in your tracks is your ignorance of the US immigration laws. I'm glad you "did it your way".

Here's your original post for you to mull over before you ask me why I don't believe you or trust you again.

Since my original post it became very apparent I would not be able to have a working holiday, therefore I was intending to undertake the next best thing available!

Why do you have to be so nasty?

Do you take pleasure in the misfortune of others?

No you don't. As explained to you earlier, your existing ESTA is now void because you were denied a visa.

And you can validate this how?

As I checked it merely a few hours ago and it's still showing as active until September!

[Boiler 43,453]

You need to update Esta with your change of circumstances.

Let us know what. happens.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Boiler

[Teddy B 17,251]

Why do you have to be so nasty?

Do you take pleasure in the misfortune of others?

I take great pleasure in seeing someone who committed fraud to attempt to gain entry into my country to work here illegaly get caught. The funny part is that you actually see that as a fault on my part.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I take great pleasure in seeing someone who committed fraud to attempt to gain entry into my country to work here illegaly get caught. The funny part is that you actually see that as a fault on my part.

The OP never committed fraud! He was naive, surely, and asking questions.

[Teddy B 17,251]

The OP never committed fraud! He was naive, surely, and asking questions.

Based on his original post that was found where he clearly stated his intention to come to the US and work ilegally, and that he was going to do it anyway he could, yes he did commit fraud. He lied about the purpose of his B-2 visa and he lied to the CO about why he was coming to the states, that is fraud.

[Boiler 43,453]

He was doing it his way.