Polish girl's tourist visa refused

[Keebleman 9]

I've a query on behalf of a friend of mine, a Polish national who is planning a three-week road trip in the USA in September together with half-a-dozen or so others (a mix of UK and US nationals). A couple of weeks ago she had her visa application refused by the consulate in London, a development that came as a complete - and extremely distressing - surprise to her: she has been resident in the UK for 8 years, has a permanent job, a large social circle and ample financial means to support herself for the duration of the holiday.

She went to the interview armed with many documents to support her application, but it seems the consular officer she saw didn't even ask to see them. The officer asked my friend why, once she had separated from her British boyfriend (the reason she had come to Britain in the first place), she hadn't returned to Poland. My friend told her about the job and her friends, and that her life is in Britain now, but the application was promptly and curtly turned down on the grounds that she has left one country once so may well do so again. Her hopes now lie with another interview (in Belfast this time) later this week.

Do you think she simply came up against the wrong official on the wrong day, or is her application fundmentally flawed? She has been planning for and looking forward to this holiday for months and months. Any advice anyome can offer to make the second interview a success would be very gratefully received.

[Harsh_77 718]

It is strongly recommended your friend never lie to immigration officer / CO.

CO looked at her history where she entered one country to live with her bf and then whatever happened the relation was discontinued which is a red flag in immigration terms.

You did not post her age, but a single female of marriageable age would have hard time to overcome the burden to prove she would not live in US past her visa.

Social circle does not mean anything – did she not leave her social circle in the Poland?

[Tygrys 143]

IMHO, trying to get US visa in Belfast two weeks after she was turned down in London is just waste of money. Her circumstances have not changed during that time, nor will the CO's decision change.

Edited August 20, 2012 by Tygrys

[No-Where-Man 147]

Sorry to hear about what happened.

Tourist visas are one of the hardest to obtain specially to the US.

Looking to the circumstances, I see why the officer was concerned about giving her the visa, its a legitimate reason.

Nothing she can do but to apply again if she wants. That does not mean she will get it the second time. She is allowed to apply as manytimes as she wants and the outcome is simply UNKNOWN.

[Keebleman 9]

Just to clarify, she's 32, so not really a girl, though I concede that still might be considered 'of marriageable age'. Also, she has applied for British citizenship (cost up front: £800+), a process that started months ago. If it had already been approved then none of this would have been necessary as UK is part of the Visa Waiver Program. And as I mentioned she has a permanent job.

What really astonished her at the time was that the official refused to even look at the documents and testimonials she had brought with her. Apparently the idea that a Polish national might want to simply go on holiday on the US for a few weeks with some friends (inc at least one American) is too absurd even to consider.

Oh, and as far as I'm aware, she didn't, and nor does she intend to, lie to a Consular Official.

[Darnell 8,479]

That's Great !

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

"Just to clarify, she's 32, so not really a girl, though I concede that still might be considered 'of marriageable age'" So once you hit 30 you are no longer marriageable ?? Thanks for the laugh.

Chances are she will be refused at the second interview because they will see that she was just denied and has gone to another place where she has even less ties simple to try to get a visa. ( just what are her ties to Belfast that will compell her to return when her visit is done ? ) Sorry but for much of the world vacationing in the US is a privilage and one that is hard to come by. Many seem to think they can plan the holiday they want and they have the right to just pop by the US embassy and get a visa. They usually have the same result as your friend. It is an eye opener to most people.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Did she tell the IO at her interview that she has already started the process to become a British Citizen? I would make that clear up front and bring proof.

[Boiler 45,952]

What has changed between her first application and second?

[Asia 2,499]

What really astonished her at the time was that the official refused to even look at the documents and testimonials she had brought with her. Apparently the idea that a Polish national might want to simply go on holiday on the US for a few weeks with some friends (inc at least one American) is too absurd even to consider.

The thing is, that you shouldn't overwhelm the officials with the tons documents you might have to prove your ties to the place/country you live in. Show anything only if you're being asked about it.

Maybe she was nervous or something... And the consul thought that she's not being honest about her trip to the US.

I'm a woman from Poland too, and I applied for a visa (in Poland) three years ago. I didn't have any documents with me, wasn't asked about them and I got a visa without any problems.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Asia

[Keebleman 9]

She's going to Belfast because it's the only consular office where she could get an appointment before the holiday starts.

She didn't mention the citizenship application last time - the CO immediately asked about her ex-boyfriend and I think my friend was rather thrown by this - but it's going to be front and centre in Belfast.

I don't think she was nervous for the London interview, she regarded it as a formality. I've looked it up, and in 2009 only 13% of visa applications from Poles were refused, which I assume were people with something dodgy in their past (of course, there could be something she's not telling me...). She'll certainly be nervous next time, though.

And my references to 'Marriageable age' and lying to the CO were sarcastic responses to post #2.

[Asia 2,499]

They have her in their system and that she was denied.

I don't think she'll get a visa, but good luck to her.

13%? I don't think it was that much. Where di you get that info from?

Edited August 21, 2012 by Asia

[Keebleman 9]

They have her in their system and that she was denied.

I don't think she'll get a visa, but good luck to her.

13%? I don't think it was that much. Where di you get that info from?

I got the info from this link: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY09.pdf

[Harsh_77 718]

She's going to Belfast because it's the only consular office where she could get an appointment before the holiday starts.

She didn't mention the citizenship application last time - the CO immediately asked about her ex-boyfriend and I think my friend was rather thrown by this - but it's going to be front and centre in Belfast.

I don't think she was nervous for the London interview, she regarded it as a formality. I've looked it up, and in 2009 only 13% of visa applications from Poles were refused, which I assume were people with something dodgy in their past (of course, there could be something she's not telling me...). She'll certainly be nervous next time, though.

And my references to 'Marriageable age' and lying to the CO were sarcastic responses to post #2.

Some ppl just cannot get their attitude straight and they expect everything is their right, including visting to US.

If you think your friend is not marriageable age then she is not why the heck do I care.

Go right ahead and apply at Belfast.

[Boiler 45,952]

The question that has been hanging in the air.

What is it to you?