Cousin and his wife VISA got denied, what to do next?

[Valor 131]

Hi All,

My cousin and his wife were planning to come to the U.S. for their honey moon. However, they just got denied earlier today. Both of them are from China and legally married their. They provided their income statements, employment statements, my cousin's house property certificate, car title. I'm currently here on F1 VISA and also adjusting my status. The agent told them they should have not told them that they had relative here. I just felt like they should be honest on everything so I asked them to do so. They are planning to come to visit in May/June, is there anything we can do now? Much appreciated on your feedbacks.

[Cathi 5,863]

was it visitor visas that were denied?They must prove very strong ties to home and without strong ties they will not get a visa. Obviously the consulate officer did not think their ties were strong, and to be honest they weren't. A house and a car title are weak and are easily left behind. Don't they have jobs? Every visitor to the US is assumed to have immigrant intent and they must prove otherwise. Having friends and family in the US works against them. They never should have made plans to come here without having the visa in their hands, tell them to change their plans. The only thing they can do is provide stronger ties and try again.

[Valor 131]

was it visitor visas that were denied?They must prove very strong ties to home and without strong ties they will not get a visa. Obviously the consulate officer did not think their ties were strong, and to be honest they weren't. A house and a car title are weak and are easily left behind. Don't they have jobs? Every visitor to the US is assumed to have immigrant intent and they must prove otherwise. Having friends and family in the US works against them. They never should have made plans to come here without having the visa in their hands, tell them to change their plans. The only thing they can do is provide stronger ties and try again.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, it was an application for visitor VISA. They both have jobs in China and they did provide their employment and income statements. We are just not sure what else they could provide to show a strong tie to China. The've made the plans but didn't book anything yet.

[HFM181818 750]

there is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing that you can do to change any decision nor improve their chances of obtaining a B2 visa, should they reapply. Having a job does not guarantee visa issuance, nor does owning a house, as jobs can be abandoned and property sold....they failed to convince the CO that they would return to China....and you cannot change that opinion by writing letters, sending invitations, etc. No one has a right to a US visa.

No experienced CO would make a statement like the one given, that the applicants should not have revealed that they had relatives in the US...that is patently absurd. Besides, a cousin is not a close relative.

[Valor 131]

there is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing that you can do to change any decision nor improve their chances of obtaining a B2 visa, should they reapply. Having a job does not guarantee visa issuance, nor does owning a house, as jobs can be abandoned and property sold....they failed to convince the CO that they would return to China....and you cannot change that opinion by writing letters, sending invitations, etc. No one has a right to a US visa.

No experienced CO would make a statement like the one given, that the applicants should not have revealed that they had relatives in the US...that is patently absurd. Besides, a cousin is not a close relative.

Thanks. I'm not thinking about have an appeal or something like that. I just don't know whether it's a good idea to reapply soon or not. My cousin can only take his vacation before June 22. If they do, what else could they bring to prove a stronger tie.

[Valor 131]

there is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing that you can do to change any decision nor improve their chances of obtaining a B2 visa, should they reapply. Having a job does not guarantee visa issuance, nor does owning a house, as jobs can be abandoned and property sold....they failed to convince the CO that they would return to China....and you cannot change that opinion by writing letters, sending invitations, etc. No one has a right to a US visa.

No experienced CO would make a statement like the one given, that the applicants should not have revealed that they had relatives in the US...that is patently absurd. Besides, a cousin is not a close relative.

Also, it was not the CO said they should not reveal they had relatives. They went to a travel agent to inquire why they would fail, someone from the agent told them that they shouldn't reveal. They wrote on the DS160 saying that their cousin is in the U.S. and provided my address and contact info.

[HFM181818 750]

travel agents who also provide 'visa advice' are useless.....and dangerous to applicants....a travel agent has no inside knowledge of the visa process, no 'connections' within an embassy...anyone stupid enough to follow a travel agent's advice should not be surprised when their applications are denied. These clowns offer advice that is just plain idiotic and false....they think they know, but in reality, they do not. The DS 160 asks about first degree relatives.....parents, siblings, spouses or fiancées....not cousins....

[Valor 131]

travel agents who also provide 'visa advice' are useless.....and dangerous to applicants....a travel agent has no inside knowledge of the visa process, no 'connections' within an embassy...anyone stupid enough to follow a travel agent's advice should not be surprised when their applications are denied. These clowns offer advice that is just plain idiotic and false....they think they know, but in reality, they do not. The DS 160 asks about first degree relatives.....parents, siblings, spouses or fiancées....not cousins....

Thanks for your advice. I think they accidentally put me as a relative. So in their new application form, should they change it to Other?

[HFM181818 750]

changing something on the DS160 is not a change in their circumstances... doing something like that only makes the applicant look desperate to get to the US....a lot of applicants think they can fool a CO by altering minor information on their next application...like reducing the proposed visiting time, or, as in your cousin's case, omitting something....COs are not that naïve.....and many with experience have seen all the silly tricks tried by desperate applicants....

[Valor 131]

changing something on the DS160 is not a change in their circumstances... doing something like that only makes the applicant look desperate to get to the US....a lot of applicants think they can fool a CO by altering minor information on their next application...like reducing the proposed visiting time, or, as in your cousin's case, omitting something....COs are not that naïve.....and many with experience have seen all the silly tricks tried by desperate applicants....

They are definitely NOT desperately want to come here. I just thought it would be nice for them to have there honey moon here in the States. The ONLY reason why I was thinking about changing the information was purely because they did it incorrectly last time. According to what you said, cousin does not count as relative. It has nothing to do with trying to change their circumstances at all.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

If they say something different then they could get themselves into even more trouble. Unfortunately tourists are guilty until proven innocent of wanting to immigrate

Edited March 24, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Boiler 47,685]

Well nothing is going to change in this sort of time, what is their back up plan.

[Teddy B 17,252]

travel agents who also provide 'visa advice' are useless.....and dangerous to applicants....a travel agent has no inside knowledge of the visa process, no 'connections' within an embassy...anyone stupid enough to follow a travel agent's advice should not be surprised when their applications are denied. These clowns offer advice that is just plain idiotic and false....they think they know, but in reality, they do not. The DS 160 asks about first degree relatives.....parents, siblings, spouses or fiancées....not cousins....

But in this case the agent was correct in that they shouldn't have listed the cousin as a relative on the visa form.

[squareleg 69]

tbone1991 - I'm not certain why folks are getting worked up to call your cousin "stupid" and/or implying that they are "desperate".

If your cousin were to apply again, I suggest, including any tax filing documentation (proof that they indeed have the income which their paystubs say, birth-certificate etc. if they have kids, documentation if they care for their parents (paying any medical bills etc.), evidence of family vacations in China, evidence of any local charity work they perform, any local religious institution they are affiliated to (like temple, monastery etc.), have they taken any foreign trips for work or personal reason...include evidence as such.....think of ways that they can provide close ties with their native country. If they are engineers or professionals etc, are they members or charter holders of ASME, IIA, CFA etc. (you can google these). These are not related to tourist visas directly, but they do show that being member of certain organizations that you uphold certain ethics (and can speculate that you are indeed a tourist and not scamming the system).

Also, I suggest, correct the application, because cousin is not a close relative. However, tourist visa is a matter of chance. Good luck.

[Boiler 47,685]

You can not include that in your application. Not possible.