B1\B2 visa Kyiv\Ukraine Anyone recently?

[YandP 6]

Hi Everyone!!

Although this question was asked a million times, I am wondering about anyone's recent experience (within the last half a year).

I am a permanent resident and I want my mom (a Ukr. citizen) to visit us over these Christmas holidays. Sadly, her B1\B2 visa application was rejected. She said that out of 30 people in line before her only 4 were approved. This wasn't the case when I was applying for my visa years ago!!

If you could recommend something or share your experience, that would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the package Mom had with her :

- Real estate (owner)

- Car (owner)

- Bank statement ( over the course of the past couple of years)

- Job ( she runs her own business, she has people working for her)

- her husband (my dad who doesn't want to travel to the US and would rather work over the holidays)

BUT

I am the only daughter. And they specifically asked her about that.

The interview was like 3 minutes, they didn't even look at the papers that Mom brought. Seems like they are making their decision judging by the DS-160 that Mom filed prior.

So I am looking for an advice \ an opinion from outside our family about what we can do differently.

And just to throw it there, I never violated US immigration laws, never overstayed, previously held J1 and B1\B2 visas.

Would appreciate your constructive recommendations!! Thank you!!!

[Don E 0]

I sympathize with your plight, although I don't believe that I have any good advice. My girlfriend applied for a B2 in Kiev recently and had her interview on 4 September. She was denied. Her two sons and her parents are in Ukraine. She has a decent job, owns her flat and some other real estate, owns a car and has done some traveling. It's not clear to me exactly what the concern was, although I suspect that it may have been her somewhat limited travel resume. I also wonder if the fact that she wrote the purpose of her visit was to see me could have been viewed as a negative by the CO. While she didn't have any exact numbers, she also observed that very few approvals were given while she was there.

I'm also interested in others' experiences and any advice in regard to applying for a B2 visa in Kiev.

[YandP 6]

I sympathize with your plight, although I don't believe that I have any good advice. My girlfriend applied for a B2 in Kiev recently and had her interview on 4 September. She was denied. Her two sons and her parents are in Ukraine. She has a decent job, owns her flat and some other real estate, owns a car and has done some traveling. It's not clear to me exactly what the concern was, although I suspect that it may have been her somewhat limited travel resume. I also wonder if the fact that she wrote the purpose of her visit was to see me could have been viewed as a negative by the CO. While she didn't have any exact numbers, she also observed that very few approvals were given while she was there.

I'm also interested in others' experiences and any advice in regard to applying for a B2 visa in Kiev.

In your case, I would assume that two kids is a pretty strong tie and a good reason to come back...well, unless they are over 18 years old, but that's again just a speculation.

Yes, a sheer number of denied application seems to be a new tendency even for the US embassy in Ukraine. They never were too "easy-going" but at least you had a chance if you could demonstrate strong ties. Now, it's hard to understand what they consider to be strong ties.

I was actually wondering if this might be because of the political situation in Ukraine OR all the immigration debates in the US.

[MacUK 983]

In your case, I would assume that two kids is a pretty strong tie and a good reason to come back...well, unless they are over 18 years old, but that's again just a speculation.

Yes, a sheer number of denied application seems to be a new tendency even for the US embassy in Ukraine. They never were too "easy-going" but at least you had a chance if you could demonstrate strong ties. Now, it's hard to understand what they consider to be strong ties.

I was actually wondering if this might be because of the political situation in Ukraine OR all the immigration debates in the US.

Unfortunately there are too many people who plan ahead, parent gets tourist visa, goes to the States and adjusts status, then petitions for children.

While I'm sure this doesn't apply to all, or even most, applicants I'm certain it's something interviewing officers are wary of.

[YandP 6]

Unfortunately there are too many people who plan ahead, parent gets tourist visa, goes to the States and adjusts status, then petitions for children.

While I'm sure this doesn't apply to all, or even most, applicants I'm certain it's something interviewing officers are wary of.

Yes, I hear you. Seems like in this case there are two way to deal with everything: following the rules and scheming. But the fact that the embassy doesn't explain anything is not helpful. Like, what do they interpret as a red flag? How can we fix it?

For example, now I start wondering, does this mean that my parents won't EVER be able to visit us? I wasn't planing to apply for the US citizenship, I am quit satisfied with the rights I have as a permanent resident. Now, I was reading that being a citizen can help with this B2 visa.

[MacUK 983]

Like, what do they interpret as a red flag? How can we fix it?

If you ever figure that out, package it and sell it. You'll be a billionaire in a week!!