B2 visa chances

[KierenHby 900]

I know someone who interviewed for a B2, were denied.

On their next attempt, they (parents of a US-based individual) took with them a letter of financial support from their child); the interviewing CO asked to look at the letter, and they were granted a 10-yr B2.

The letter.. and the CO.. were the only differences between the two attempts.

Edited March 30, 2016 by KierenHby

[HFM181818 750]

In general, I would only look at documents if I thought they were fake! Otherwise, why bother? Either I believe the applicant or I don't, and a piece of paper did not (and could not) change my assessment of an applicant from unqualified to qualified, as there is no such paper that can work that magic upon me (I cannot speak for all colleagues, except the ones I trained). For ex, a job letter, on its own, cannot convince me that an applicant might not work w/o permission, for example, nor prevent baggage claim mind changes...all the letter states (usually) is that Mr or Ms so and so is a/an _____, working for said company for X years, has some accumulated leave, yadda yadda yadda.....how might that letter regulate Mr or Ms X's decision making once in the US? If you can come up with the fool proof and undeniably true answer to that question (good luck, BTW), let's hear it.

[Nikki&Nathan 1]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the input.

[MacUK 983]

I know someone who interviewed for a B2, were denied.

On their next attempt, they (parents of a US-based individual) took with them a letter of financial support from their child); the interviewing CO asked to look at the letter, and they were granted a 10-yr B2.

The letter.. and the CO.. were the only differences between the two attempts.

The different CO would have been the main difference there. The decision is all down to the opinion of that individual.

An applicant who might be considered risky by one CO could be considered trustworthy by another.

The letter would probably not have made any difference at all.

[KierenHby 900]

The letter would probably not have made any difference at all.

I see it differently..

This other CO asked to see the letter. In this case, the letter likely made the difference. The CO commented these two were otherwise eligible for the visa, but apparently lacked financial resources. That's where the letter (of financial support) made the difference.

[HFM181818 750]

that CO was new....(IMHO)....when parents are going to visit their adult child, it is not unusual for the adult child to pay the freight, especially if everyone is from a developing country....a piece of paper is not going to change either the need nor the offer of support....falling for whatever is written in a letter is a sure sign that the CO has not been adequately trained.

At one post in which I was totally responsible for training new officers, I let them look at papers for one week....after that, no more papers (except I-20s or DS-2019s) (I did the petition-based visas, like the H's, L's, etc, until I trained at least two officers to do them)....some of them felt uncomfortable initially, but most became much better interviewers, did more of them per day and made better decisions....but you should have heard the howling at first!!! If they were tempted to look at some paper, they had to call me over....and I would decide whether or not some piece of paper would make a difference....usually, after a couple of more questions, they realized that the papers were not going to help....

Of course, the applicants were not happy....and more than a few messed up, when after trying to shove their papers under the window to be looked at, and neither the new officer nor I would even so much as glance at them, they got annoyed and said, 'hey, I paid $100 for those documents....please look at them!!!' (I am not kidding....people would foolishly say this sometimes!!!)...

[Nikki&Nathan 1]

I can understand people taking chances, but it just seem unfair that someone like me who has no intention of moving to the US can be denied because the CO for whatever reason decided I didn't want to return to my own country. It's a three week visit,not 6 months. I have my life here my friends and family are all here, if it were my intention to relocate I would have done so in my 20's not waited until my 40's when my life is settled.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Unfair and visas often go hand in hand

[templeton 120]

I can understand people taking chances, but it just seem unfair that someone like me who has no intention of moving to the US can be denied because the CO for whatever reason decided I didn't want to return to my own country.

You can thank all the people who come on this site asking how their B-2 parents/children/siblings can adjust to permanent residency now that they're in the US. Those "visitors" all claimed they had no intention of staying in the US during their interviews too.

[HFM181818 750]

Fair or not, our current laws presume immigrant intent on the part of every applicant seeking a B2 visa...that is, you are presumed to be going to the US to remain there permanently until you convince a CO otherwise. The interview does not start off in a neutral mode; you are presumed guilty until a CO believes differently....and yes, you can thank the untold thousands or millions of others who claimed they were going to return, but oddly, 'forgot' to do so....thus hampering future applicants' chances of getting B2 visas....and that is just the way it is....and that is why the interview is so important ...talking to an applicant, not staring at a pile of papers. It is not a perfect system, it could be made better if our do-nothing Congress would support better border enforcement and disallow all AOS/COS from B2 visas...but they don't...they just pretend to be interested.

[Nikki&Nathan 1]

Well I am hoping for the best, my intention is to enjoy a 3 week holiday and return home. It's just a pity so many people have abused the system. I guess only time will tell if I get my visa or not.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Well I am hoping for the best, my intention is to enjoy a 3 week holiday and return home. It's just a pity so many people have abused the system. I guess only time will tell if I get my visa or not.

Just gather any evidence that will help prove that you will return.. That's all.

[marianath 27]

Fair or not, our current laws presume immigrant intent on the part of every applicant seeking a B2 visa...that is, you are presumed to be going to the US to remain there permanently until you convince a CO otherwise. The interview does not start off in a neutral mode; you are presumed guilty until a CO believes differently....and yes, you can thank the untold thousands or millions of others who claimed they were going to return, but oddly, 'forgot' to do so....thus hampering future applicants' chances of getting B2 visas....and that is just the way it is....and that is why the interview is so important ...talking to an applicant, not staring at a pile of papers. It is not a perfect system, it could be made better if our do-nothing Congress would support better border enforcement and disallow all AOS/COS from B2 visas...but they don't...they just pretend to be interested.

Amen to this !!!

Well I am hoping for the best, my intention is to enjoy a 3 week holiday and return home. It's just a pity so many people have abused the system. I guess only time will tell if I get my visa or not.

All you can do is apply and hope for the best, just tell the truth and that is all you can do.

You are asking for permission to visit and have no right at all to expect that this will be allowed.

If not, plan another trip to another country with your Bestfriend...

Goodluck !!

[Michael and Ganna 105]

I just saw a article that stated 40% of the people fly into the US, and don't leave when they are suppose to. I thought that number way high, but may be a reality.

[Nikki&Nathan 1]

Well from all image read here it's basically impossible to get a visa so why they even bother having tourism visas I really don't understand. They consider you an illegal with intention of staying, they judge you before anything else. Why bring supporting docs in they mean nothing? It basically depends on the attitude of the person interviewing you. It seems that they only care to take your money with intention of not ever granting a visa. Has anyone EVER been granted a visa first-time?????