Almost everyone is getting denied????

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I just read a new review about the Skopje embassy in Macedonia, the first one since last year. The review said almost everyone is getting denied the first time and is having to bring more evidence for a second or even third interview Apparently they had lots of evidence already. It was for a K-1 visa and the person did get approved at the second interview. They didn't say what type visas were getting denied.

Now I'm happy I sent a stack of papers 6 or 7 inches thick. But now I'm worried, too. I'm also concerned that if I mention this to my hubby it might make him nervous. What should I do? Keep it to myself? Warn hubby? And pray, of course.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If you send a stack of papers "6 or 7 inches thick," men in white coats will come to your house, take you away and lock you up in a room with padded walls based on the fact that you are apparently insane.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

If you send a stack of papers "6 or 7 inches thick," men in white coats will come to your house, take you away and lock you up in a room with padded walls based on the fact that you are apparently insane.

LOL!! They haven't showed up yet. The papers are now weighing down someone's desk at the embassy.

[TBoneTX 45,447]

I just read a new review about the Skopje embassy in Macedonia, the first one since last year. The review said almost everyone is getting denied the first time and is having to bring more evidence for a second or even third interview

Sounds like a new Section Chief of the Immigrant Visa Unit has been transferred in, whereupon attitudes and policies can change without notice.

What should I do? Warn hubby?

Definitely this, but even more important is that you spare no expense to beat it over there to be present for that first interview. This from one who wishes that someone had given HIM this advice, at the time.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Sounds like a new Section Chief of the Immigrant Visa Unit has been transferred in, whereupon attitudes and policies can change without notice.Definitely this, but even more important is that you spare no expense to beat it over there to be present for that first interview. This from one who wishes that someone had given HIM this advice, at the time.

I know for a fact that at this embassy only the person named in the appointment letter will be allowed in. So if I did fly over I would be left standing outside. He told me a few days ago that people applying for visitor visas were all denied. The person who wrote the review didn't specify visa types.

[TBoneTX 45,447]

I know for a fact that at this embassy only the person named in the appointment letter will be allowed in. So if I did fly over I would be left standing outside. He told me a few days ago that people applying for visitor visas were all denied. The person who wrote the review didn't specify visa types.

Well, you can risk having your USC hindquarters being required (transl.: ordered) to appear for a second interview, perhaps a Stokes, or you can do it the "right" way: Show up. He carries your U.S. passport to show the consul. This scores points beyond count. Perhaps you'll even be invited in.

And you can tell the foreigners outside the embassy that the embassy is U.S. soil, you're a U.S. citizen, and they have zero authority or right to deny your entry. If they give you flak, insist on speaking with an American. If you end up speaking with one (you'll probably be let in beforehand), ask point-blank what authority a foreigner has to order you around. If it's "policy," ask who decided that the U.S. is his country more than it is yours.

Playing the "USC card" can work wonders. Too few of us do it.

[cerebus407 16]

First, the land an Embassy sits on is not considered "U.S. soil".

See http://diplomacy.state.gov/discoverdiplomacy/diplomacy101/places/170537.htm

Second, the Embassy has the right to deny access for a variety of reasons. Most embassies, however, allow those conducting business with the Embassy to enter. Since you are the petitioner, you arguably have business to conduct there and would be allowed entry for an IV or K1. This is because the relationship between the Petitioner and the applicant is essential to the qualification for a visa. US citizens are not usually allowed to enter to accompany people applying for non-immigrant visas as their relationship to the applicant is usually immaterial to the applicant's qualifications. U.S. citizens are welcome to enter to conduct business with ACS or other entitlement agencies. Some of these agencies will only see you with an appointment though.

Before going crazy on the guards outside, send an email to the Embassy and ask if petitioners can accompany the applicant to the interview.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Every embassy has a lobby/waiting room, therefore you will be allowed to sit in the lobby.

[TBoneTX 45,447]

Before going crazy on the guards outside, send an email to the Embassy and ask if petitioners can accompany the applicant to the interview.

Nowhere did I specify that the petitioner is entitled to attend the interview. This is part of an extremely common misperception on VisaJourney: that "being on the consular premises" equals "attending the actual interview." The petitioner can enter the consulate and wait in a waiting area or the lobby while the beneficiary shows the petitioner's U.S. passport to the consul. No foreign embassy guard would have any business (or objection to) leaving a U.S. citizen "naked," without a passport, on the street outside a U.S. consulate.

It's been reported over and over here that when the U.S. passport is shown to the consul, the U.S. citizen is often invited into the interview itself.

Edited February 25, 2013 by TBoneTX

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Just a short follow-up. Thanks for the input. I wasn't able to go but I don't think it would have mattered. The embassy most likely would have told me the same thing they told my husband..."your wife is going to loose her social security benefits because she remarried so you need a joint sponsor, it's the USA law." No, I won't, because I remarried after age 60, but without proof, what could I do? I now have proof, printed & signed from the social security office, along with a booklet of USA laws regarding social security, which I will send to hubby along with a new AOS and my 2012 taxes and proof of income.

And yes it's true, people are being turned away at the Skopje embassy with requirements to bring more documents.

[sara..... 371]

Nowhere did I specify that the petitioner is entitled to attend the interview. This is part of an extremely common misperception on VisaJourney: that "being on the consular premises" equals "attending the actual interview." The petitioner can enter the consulate and wait in a waiting area or the lobby while the beneficiary shows the petitioner's U.S. passport to the consul. No foreign embassy guard would have any business (or objection to) leaving a U.S. citizen "naked," without a passport, on the street outside a U.S. consulate.

It's been reported over and over here that when the U.S. passport is shown to the consul, the U.S. citizen is often invited into the interview itself.

Sir.......you are correct i fully agree that if i had been able to attend or go to the embassy in person with perviz when he had his interview the end result would probably been a different out come than it was.......every USA person has the right to enter the embassy they might not be able to attend the interview but just knowing that the s/o is there in a lot of cases sways the out come......and its also better to be there and never ever have to wonder what if as i do on a daily bases.

sara

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Sir.......you are correct i fully agree that if i had been able to attend or go to the embassy in person with perviz when he had his interview the end result would probably been a different out come than it was.......every USA person has the right to enter the embassy they might not be able to attend the interview but just knowing that the s/o is there in a lot of cases sways the out come......and its also better to be there and never ever have to wonder what if as i do on a daily bases.

sara

omg you have been in AP since 2009 ???? That's terrible

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Sir.......you are correct i fully agree that if i had been able to attend or go to the embassy in person with perviz when he had his interview the end result would probably been a different out come than it was.......every USA person has the right to enter the embassy they might not be able to attend the interview but just knowing that the s/o is there in a lot of cases sways the out come......and its also better to be there and never ever have to wonder what if as i do on a daily bases.

sara

Sara I apologize I didn't ready your full story I am so sorry.

[sara..... 371]

omg you have been in AP since 2009 ???? That's terrible

no ............i was waiting for my noa2 for two years prior to being messed over by the embassy by them sitting on the petition until it expired and was sent back as expired petition

[sara..... 371]

I might not know a lot about different things but one thing i do know is its very important to take the advise of the old timers that have been jerked around by any part of the immigration process.......many have finished their visa journey one way or another and stick around to give sound advise to anyone that needs help.....

sara