B2 Visa Denied (Answered a question incorrectly)

[fromthemargins 1]

Hello. My wife recently attended her Visa interview at the US Embassy in Bangkok.

 

She was denied a visa, mostly without the benefit of completing her interview. At her interview she erroneously told the interviewer that my business is "located" in America - which was one of the first questions she was asked. I believe this is why she was denied. But she was not given the opportunity to continue the interview and demonstrate the facts of our residency here in Thailand. The interviewer just handed her passport back to her and ended the interview.

 

The truth is, my work is part-time and remote. I am mostly retired and work from home (as a writer) in Khun Han. I have no intention of ever leaving Thailand long-term or living in America because I love our home and our life in Thailand. Life is much better in Thailand.

 

Further, my wife is deeply rooted in Thailand. She has a business in Khun Han, with business license, fees paid and a commercial lease. We also have a lease on a home and are building a home in her village. Her whole family is here and she is deeply connected to them - especially her elderly Father. She is a generational Thai citizen and would never live outside of Thailand.

 

Unfortunately she was not given the opportunity to share any information at her interview because of her very first answer about my business (I am pretty sure). We brought tons of documentation to the interview, leases, licenses, bank statements, etc....

 

My wife is happy to re-apply for her Visa but we want to avoid this unfortunate occurrence at her next interview. As many have said, they have notes and providing a different answer to the same question might tank her efforts again.

 

We were married in Thailand on 12-5-2024. My wife has never met my family and that is what we plan to do in America. Go for a short visit to meet family/friends and then come home. Again, zero intention on staying in America any longer than a month. Thailand is home.

Sorry to ramble. Thank you for any insight or direction!

[Boiler 47,908]

They interview people not documentation 

 

2 or 3 questions is normal

 

i assume you are a USC

 

sadly so many change their mind at baggage reclaim 

[fromthemargins 1]

Understood, Boiler. Thank you for the response. To clarify: I am a US citizen. My wife is a Thai Citizen. I am assuming the incorrect answer, "in America" to the question, "where does your husband work" is what derailed the interview. The interviewer never even got to any questions about my wife. The interview stopped right there.

[OldUser 10,383]

7 minutes ago, fromthemargins said:

Understood, Boiler. Thank you for the response. To clarify: I am a US citizen. My wife is a Thai Citizen. I am assuming the incorrect answer, "in America" to the question, "where does your husband work" is what derailed the interview. The interviewer never even got to any questions about my wife. The interview stopped right there.

It's possible. Most of the times, though, decision is already made before the interview. 

[Boiler 47,908]

The information they mainly need is on the DS 160, for most cases.

 

my impression that most cases are a done deal and the interview is performative, they are required to do it.

[fromthemargins 1]

Interesting. Ok, so find a way to explain more on DS160 and hope for the best. Thanks. We will give that a go. And will tune in to the Live Lawyer show now. Thanks for that as well...