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Tourist Visa cancelled in transit

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Lesotho
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Hi guys,

 

My mother, who holds a B2 visa (expiring 2021) was in transit from Johannesburg to Chicago to come see me. Her connection was in Frankfurt Germany. When she it was time to board her flight from Frankfurt to Germany she was told her visa was cancelled and they said they didn't know the reason. A CBP officer called me asking if there could be any reason I could think of that my mother's ticket got cancelled, I told them nothing i could think of. The ran a background check on both me and my mom and nothing came back. 

She took the next flight back to Johannesburg, made an appointment for a new visa application and it was approved. The consular said she doesn't know why/when the visa was cancelled.

This was obviously a very expensive trip and I am trying to find out where i can file a claim for all the expenses, if at all possible (travel insurance, airline both failed).

 

Your input will be appreciated. 

30/07/09: Mailed signed G325A to Fiance
26/08/09: Mailed I-129F package to USCIS
03/09/09: Package Received
04/09/09: NOA1
14/09/09: NOA1 Hardcopy
25/11/09: NOA2
04/12/09: Case mailed from NVC to Embassy
07/12/09: Embassy mailed Packet 3
06/01/10: Still havent received Packet 3 in the mail
07/01/10: Emailed the embassy and discovered the adress on record is incorrect; Packet 3 was emailed to me as a PDF attachment
22/02/10: Emailed my checklist and DS-230
18/03/10: Medicals
23/03/10: Interview: Approved
25/03/10: Picking up passport
21/09/10: POE NY

01/12/10: Married
07/02/11: Sent out AOS Package
09/02/11: Package received
11/02/11: NOA1 (I-765, I-485, I-131)
11/04/11: Received EAD and AP Card

N-400

11/15/16: Mailed

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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27 minutes ago, LesP said:

I am trying to find out where i can file a claim for all the expenses, if at all possible (travel insurance, airline both failed).

If you're hoping to get the losses recouped from the consulate or State Dept., good luck with that one.

If you're hoping to recoup the losses from the airline---they were not the ones who cancelled the visa, so can't be held responsible for that.  Travel insurance likely isn't going to cover being refused boarding due to a passenger not having valid documents.

 

Edited to add:  The only thing I can think of is maybe appealing to the airline, based on the information you knew at the time that the visa was valid, and perhaps someone higher up on their own benevolence may be willing to issue a voucher/credit towards future travel with them.  But that's also a long-shot.

Edited by Going through

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

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July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

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Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Lesotho
Timeline
4 minutes ago, Going through said:

If you're hoping to get the losses recouped from the consulate or State Dept., good luck with that one.

If you're hoping to recoup the losses from the airline---they were not the ones who cancelled the visa, so can't be held responsible for that.  Travel insurance likely isn't going to cover being refused boarding due to a passenger not having valid documents.

 

Edited to add:  The only thing I can think of is maybe appealing to the airline, based on the information you knew at the time that the visa was valid, and perhaps someone higher up on their own benevolence may be willing to issue a voucher/credit towards future travel with them.  But that's also a long-shot.

Yes, the travel insurance already told me they don’t insure anything visa related. 

 

30/07/09: Mailed signed G325A to Fiance
26/08/09: Mailed I-129F package to USCIS
03/09/09: Package Received
04/09/09: NOA1
14/09/09: NOA1 Hardcopy
25/11/09: NOA2
04/12/09: Case mailed from NVC to Embassy
07/12/09: Embassy mailed Packet 3
06/01/10: Still havent received Packet 3 in the mail
07/01/10: Emailed the embassy and discovered the adress on record is incorrect; Packet 3 was emailed to me as a PDF attachment
22/02/10: Emailed my checklist and DS-230
18/03/10: Medicals
23/03/10: Interview: Approved
25/03/10: Picking up passport
21/09/10: POE NY

01/12/10: Married
07/02/11: Sent out AOS Package
09/02/11: Package received
11/02/11: NOA1 (I-765, I-485, I-131)
11/04/11: Received EAD and AP Card

N-400

11/15/16: Mailed

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Lesotho
Timeline

Yes, the travel insurance already told me they don’t insure anything visa related. 

30/07/09: Mailed signed G325A to Fiance
26/08/09: Mailed I-129F package to USCIS
03/09/09: Package Received
04/09/09: NOA1
14/09/09: NOA1 Hardcopy
25/11/09: NOA2
04/12/09: Case mailed from NVC to Embassy
07/12/09: Embassy mailed Packet 3
06/01/10: Still havent received Packet 3 in the mail
07/01/10: Emailed the embassy and discovered the adress on record is incorrect; Packet 3 was emailed to me as a PDF attachment
22/02/10: Emailed my checklist and DS-230
18/03/10: Medicals
23/03/10: Interview: Approved
25/03/10: Picking up passport
21/09/10: POE NY

01/12/10: Married
07/02/11: Sent out AOS Package
09/02/11: Package received
11/02/11: NOA1 (I-765, I-485, I-131)
11/04/11: Received EAD and AP Card

N-400

11/15/16: Mailed

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Can't see much you can really do in this situation, sadly.

As I suggested, you can try reaching out to a higher-up with the airline and maybe plead for a travel credit out of them...but honestly the buck is probably going to stop as soon as you say "the visa was cancelled" to them.

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

July 14, 2017 (Day 00) -  Submitted N400 Application, filed online

July 21, 2017 (Day 07) -  NOA Receipt received in the mail

July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

July 25, 2017 (Day 11) - Biometrics PDF posted online

July 28, 2017 (Day 14) - Biometrics letter received in the mail, appointment for 08/08/17

Aug 08, 2017 (Day 24) - Biometrics (fingerprinting) completed

Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

Aug 16, 2017 (Day 32) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Interview Scheduled, read the letter we mailed you..."

Aug 17, 2017 (Day 33) - Interview Appointment Letter PDF posted online---GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!

Aug 21, 2017 (Day 37) - Interview Appointment Letter received in the mail, appointment for 09/27/17

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Naturalization Interview--- read my experience here

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Oath Ceremony Notice mailed"

Sep. 28, 2017 (Day 75) - Oath Ceremony Letter PDF posted online--Ceremony for 10/19/17

Oct. 02, 2017 (Day 79) -  Oath Ceremony Letter received in the mail

Oct. 19, 2017 (Day 96) -  Oath Ceremony-- read my experience here

 

 

 

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48 minutes ago, LesP said:

Hi guys,

 

My mother, who holds a B2 visa (expiring 2021) was in transit from Johannesburg to Chicago to come see me. Her connection was in Frankfurt Germany. When she it was time to board her flight from Frankfurt to Germany she was told her visa was cancelled and they said they didn't know the reason. A CBP officer called me asking if there could be any reason I could think of that my mother's ticket got cancelled, I told them nothing i could think of. The ran a background check on both me and my mom and nothing came back. 

She took the next flight back to Johannesburg, made an appointment for a new visa application and it was approved. The consular said she doesn't know why/when the visa was cancelled.

This was obviously a very expensive trip and I am trying to find out where i can file a claim for all the expenses, if at all possible (travel insurance, airline both failed).

 

Your input will be appreciated. 

I’m confused, as you say the visa was cancelled and then that the ticket was cancelled. What exactly happened - did the airline tell her her visa was cancelled and refused her boarding? Had the airline staff (I presume this is Lufthansa) checked her visa in Johannesburg before allowing her to fly? 

A CBP officer called you? Unsolicited? From where, Frankfurt or here in the US?

and the joburg consulate confirmed her previous visa had been cancelled  - so it wasn’t an error on the airline’s part?

 

Edited by SusieQQQ
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Lesotho
Timeline
8 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

I’m confused, as you say the visa was cancelled and then that the ticket was cancelled. What exactly happened - did the airline tell her her visa was cancelled and refused her boarding? Had the airline staff (I presume this is Lufthansa) checked her visa in Johannesburg before allowing her to fly? 

A CBP officer called you? Unsolicited? From where, Frankfurt or here in the US?

and the joburg consulate confirmed her previous visa had been cancelled  - so it wasn’t an error on the airline’s part?

 

I meant to say visa on that second part. The CPB Officer called from Frankfurt; I am concluding that Lufthansa didn’t check the visa in Johannesburg that’s how she was able to board the flight.

i called the consulate when this was going on and they got back to me saying, “there seem to be a problem with your mother’s visa and she will need to come back to the consulate.” The CPB Officer in Frankfurt said usually there’s a reason on file when a visa gets cancelled, but there was no reason this time.

when she went to get her visa re-issued, the consular said she didn’t know either why it was cancelled.

30/07/09: Mailed signed G325A to Fiance
26/08/09: Mailed I-129F package to USCIS
03/09/09: Package Received
04/09/09: NOA1
14/09/09: NOA1 Hardcopy
25/11/09: NOA2
04/12/09: Case mailed from NVC to Embassy
07/12/09: Embassy mailed Packet 3
06/01/10: Still havent received Packet 3 in the mail
07/01/10: Emailed the embassy and discovered the adress on record is incorrect; Packet 3 was emailed to me as a PDF attachment
22/02/10: Emailed my checklist and DS-230
18/03/10: Medicals
23/03/10: Interview: Approved
25/03/10: Picking up passport
21/09/10: POE NY

01/12/10: Married
07/02/11: Sent out AOS Package
09/02/11: Package received
11/02/11: NOA1 (I-765, I-485, I-131)
11/04/11: Received EAD and AP Card

N-400

11/15/16: Mailed

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14 minutes ago, LesP said:

I meant to say visa on that second part. The CPB Officer called from Frankfurt; I am concluding that Lufthansa didn’t check the visa in Johannesburg that’s how she was able to board the flight.

i called the consulate when this was going on and they got back to me saying, “there seem to be a problem with your mother’s visa and she will need to come back to the consulate.” The CPB Officer in Frankfurt said usually there’s a reason on file when a visa gets cancelled, but there was no reason this time.

when she went to get her visa re-issued, the consular said she didn’t know either why it was cancelled.

Wow that’s bizarre and infuriating. From my own experience on similar flights, the agent in SA will check the destination visa visually so if it looks good they’ll let you go. I am guessing the problem was only picked up when your mom was actually on the manifest on the leg to the US, and that was at boarding in Frankfurt, Unfortunately it doesn’t seem as there is anyone you can claim from -it doesn’t seem to be an airline mistake and you can’t sue DoS for cancelling a visa. :( 

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2 hours ago, LesP said:

A CBP officer called me asking if there could be any reason I could think of that my mother's ticket got cancelled

Your post is unclear.  Was it the airline ticket or the visa that was cancelled?

 

If the visa, it is strange that CBP would call you when they would have access to the info.

Edited by Jorgedig
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Lesotho
Timeline
23 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Your post is unclear.  Was it the airline ticket or the visa that was cancelled?

 

If the visa, it is strange that CBP would call you when they would have access to the info.

That was an error. The visa was cancelled not ticket.

Yes, they called about 3 times. They were very empathetic and were trying to see if they could help. 

30/07/09: Mailed signed G325A to Fiance
26/08/09: Mailed I-129F package to USCIS
03/09/09: Package Received
04/09/09: NOA1
14/09/09: NOA1 Hardcopy
25/11/09: NOA2
04/12/09: Case mailed from NVC to Embassy
07/12/09: Embassy mailed Packet 3
06/01/10: Still havent received Packet 3 in the mail
07/01/10: Emailed the embassy and discovered the adress on record is incorrect; Packet 3 was emailed to me as a PDF attachment
22/02/10: Emailed my checklist and DS-230
18/03/10: Medicals
23/03/10: Interview: Approved
25/03/10: Picking up passport
21/09/10: POE NY

01/12/10: Married
07/02/11: Sent out AOS Package
09/02/11: Package received
11/02/11: NOA1 (I-765, I-485, I-131)
11/04/11: Received EAD and AP Card

N-400

11/15/16: Mailed

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

Was this a through ticket.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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11 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Was this a through ticket.

I’m pretty sure it would have been, knowing the flights/routes from SA-US. And I know that every time we have travelled on through tickets from SA to the US, visas/green cards/passports have all been checked again from the transit point. 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Romania
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1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

I’m pretty sure it would have been, knowing the flights/routes from SA-US. And I know that every time we have travelled on through tickets from SA to the US, visas/green cards/passports have all been checked again from the transit point. 

They might check for Visa in passport/validity but the APIS check was most likely in Germany only.

The only airline i flew that checked my ESTA at the first flight (origin) was Austrian. 

The last couple of times Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines did the APIS check in Germany/Istanbul before boarding the USA bound flight. Ahh the agent updated my GC info in their system at the origin point because I screwed up the check in so needed to get a paper boarding pass and had the APIS check before boarding the USA bound flight. 

So this might be airline dependent when they actually check the system is you are allowed to board. Maybe they don't have access to the APIS system at every airport they fly from?

 

Edited by ineedadisplayname
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