B-2, Mother in Law trying again (denied the first time)

[Calicolom 265]

17 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Officers are not required to look at anything brought to the interview.  They can if they want to, but most don't.  A decision is made based in the information in the submitted visa application, and responses to questions asked during the interview.  There is no way to force an officer to look at the file of "stuff" she brings with her.  If she tries, it could backfire as a sign of desperation.  With a recent denial on her record, she should wait a while before trying again.  DOS website says current wait time for a B2 visa interview in Manila is 161 days from filing a new application online and paying the fee again.

I think to many people forget, most paperwork is looked over by local staff. This means by local people hired by the embassy. They know every trick and costume of the local people.

[Adventine 3,187]

I don't recall anyone in the Manila Embassy looking at additional paperwork for tourist visa applications. It seems they make their decision based on the info submitted online in the DS-160, then the personal interview is just the final step before they say yes or no. 

 

The only time I can see additional paperwork making a difference is for immigrant visa applications.

[Skyman 289]

On 7/9/2023 at 8:43 AM, Adventine said:

It seems they make their decision based on the info submitted online in the DS-160

Sad right? Because the DS-160 just contains bio data and nothing about property holdings or other things that would tie a person to their country which is what the B-2 is supposed to be about.  There should be an allowance for at least a few pages of attachments so you can show compelling reasons to return.  Meanwhile, we have an open border with Mexico.

[Boiler 43,689]

How does property tie somebody to a country?

 

You previously mentioned job and that is asked for.

 

What else have you got?

[Adventine 3,187]

1 hour ago, Skyman said:

Sad right? Because the DS-160 just contains bio data and nothing about property holdings or other things that would tie a person to their country which is what the B-2 is supposed to be about.  There should be an allowance for at least a few pages of attachments so you can show compelling reasons to return.  Meanwhile, we have an open border with Mexico.

 

 

The DS-160 asks about work history, income, travel history, criminal history, travel plans, social media history, who's paying for the trip, and family/contacts in the US, among other things. It's already a lot of information to evaluate someone's ties to the PH and reasons to return (or not).

 

Sometimes people can look great on paper and still get denied for tourist visas. It's been that way for decades.

 

Nothing keeping your MIL from trying again. But if nothing has really changed with her situation since the last application, don't get your hopes up.

[Skyman 289]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

How does property tie somebody to a country?

I guess you should be an IO then.

[Boiler 43,689]

17 minutes ago, Skyman said:

I guess you should be an IO then.

I have seen it enough times here when shove comes to push the documentation turns out to be irrelevant. Plus of course how could they authenticate anything in a few minutes.

 

There are situations where documents are very relevant B2 medical comes to mind 

Edited July 10, 2023 by Boiler

[SalishSea 16,851]

2 hours ago, Skyman said:

I guess you should be an IO then.

People in certain countries leave behind property, jobs, and young children every day to overstay/adjust on B visas.  The consulates know all the tricks and the adjudication of tourist visa applications is data-driven.