B2 denied. When to apply again?

[EatBulaga 493]

My Mother-In-Law in the Philippines got denied in her B2 visa interview. 

 

Those who had relatives with B2 denial, how long did they wait to apply again for successful approval? In other words, if they got approval the second time, how long did they wait to re-apply? Or how many times did they get denied before finally approval, and how long was the overall process?

 

How did they fill out the DS-160 differently for the subsequent times? Thanks!

[Crazy Cat 45,938]

I would think applying before her circumstances have changed would be futile. 

[appleblossom 5,609]

1 hour ago, EatBulaga said:

My Mother-In-Law in the Philippines got denied in her B2 visa interview. 

 

Those who had relatives with B2 denial, how long did they wait to apply again for successful approval? In other words, if they got approval the second time, how long did they wait to re-apply? Or how many times did they get denied before finally approval, and how long was the overall process?

 

How did they fill out the DS-160 differently for the subsequent times? Thanks!

I’d wait at least a year and as above, not bother unless her circumstances/ties have changed. 

[W199 541]

My MIL recently got approved, but she never got denied before. She is just a retired farmer in the province who even had to use a translator for the interview. They just asked her a few questions. The embassy and the visa officer were all very kind, friendly, and helpful.  This has always been our experience with the USA embassy in Manila. 

 

Why your MIL got denied and how to overcome the issues are impossible to answer with the information or lack thereof that you provided. It may be something simple or something impossible to overcome. 

 

 

[EatBulaga 493]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would think applying before her circumstances have changed would be futile. 

 

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

I’d wait at least a year and as above, not bother unless her circumstances/ties have changed. 

 

Mother-In-Law is retired so her circumstances most likely won't change anytime soon.

 

37 minutes ago, W199 said:

My MIL recently got approved, but she never got denied before. She is just a retired farmer in the province who even had to use a translator for the interview. They just asked her a few questions. The embassy and the visa officer were all very kind, friendly, and helpful.  This has always been our experience with the USA embassy in Manila. 

 

Why your MIL got denied and how to overcome the issues are impossible to answer with the information or lack thereof that you provided. It may be something simple or something impossible to overcome. 

 

The B2 interview was in Manila. According to my Mother-In-Law, the B2 interviewer denied the 3 before her. It was 3 questions and denial lasting no more than 2-3 minutes for each applicant.

Edited 18 hours ago by EatBulaga

[appleblossom 5,609]

44 minutes ago, EatBulaga said:

The B2 interview was in Manila. According to my Mother-In-Law, the B2 interviewer denied the 3 before her. It was 3 questions and denial lasting no more than 2-3 minutes for each applicant.

Pretty standard. The decision seems to usually be made off the application, I’m not really sure why they bother with the interview at all. 

[W199 541]

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

Pretty standard. The decision seems to usually be made off the application, I’m not really sure why they bother with the interview at all. 

My MIL's 4-5 questions in the manila embassy were extremely well crafted, each one based on her previous answer, and it was clear the officer granted the tourist visa based on her answers.  

 

Of course, the DS-160 and the background check had to have no red flags as well. 

 

 

[appleblossom 5,609]

1 hour ago, W199 said:

My MIL's 4-5 questions in the manila embassy were extremely well crafted, each one based on her previous answer, and it was clear the officer granted the tourist visa based on her answers.  

 

Of course, the DS-160 and the background check had to have no red flags as well. 

 

 

So her visa was granted? That’s a different scenario then. I’d bet the decision to grant it was made based on the DS-160, and the questions asked just to confirm the decision. 
 

There are numerous stories on the forum of people being refused without being asked questions, those are the people I’m taking about when I say I don’t know why they bother to get them in for an ‘interview’. 
 

 

 

[W199 541]

27 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

So her visa was granted? That’s a different scenario then. I’d bet the decision to grant it was made based on the DS-160, and the questions asked just to confirm the decision. 
 

There are numerous stories on the forum of people being refused without being asked questions, those are the people I’m taking about when I say I don’t know why they bother to get them in for an ‘interview’. 
 

 

 

Yeah, its kind of disrespectful for them to make them come to an interview if they know in advance that they will deny them.  When someone come from the province or another Island, it is expensive for hotel, travel, time-off, and so forth.

 

A 2-stage approval approach would be good. Where they either deny you or then allow you to schedule an interview.  

 

It could reduce their interview load as well.

 

But I suspect, they just don't have time to review the data twice given they have thousands of applicants per day.

[top_secret 2,767]

If your wife naturalizes in 2026 one could argue that if the MIL had any immigrant intent at all, she would just have your wife sponsor her immigrant visa.  Since she hasn't and doesn't want to, it is evidence she only intends to visit.  In any case, a change in your wife's citizenship is a "change" in her mother's overall life circumstances. 

 

Parents with kids in the US do seem to have better odds for B2 visas than most in the Philippines.  Having a US based kid does defacto make them well off by Philippine standards. Factors like age or if MIL and FIL are still together might make a difference (???)

[W199 541]

8 minutes ago, top_secret said:

If your wife naturalizes in 2026 one could argue that if the MIL had any immigrant intent at all, she would just have your wife sponsor her immigrant visa.  Since she hasn't and doesn't want to, it is evidence she only intends to visit.  In any case, a change in your wife's citizenship is a "change" in her mother's overall life circumstances. 

 

Parents with kids in the US do seem to have better odds for B2 visas than most in the Philippines.  Having a US based kid does defacto make them well off by Philippine standards. Factors like age or if MIL and FIL are still together might make a difference (???)

In my case, my Wife has only been here for 2 years and hasn't even applied for removal of conditions yet (too early). We also have no kids.  My MIL is only 2 years older than me and quite healthy.  She also was brutally honest and  told them she didn't own any farm land, etc. to tie her to the Philippines..  But they were very fair in evaluating all the circumstances, risks, and other key things and approved her VISA 

 

[Boiler 48,385]

DS 160 questions are factual.

 

She can apply as often as she wants, her money, best to not get involved.

[EatBulaga 493]

3 hours ago, W199 said:

My MIL's 4-5 questions in the manila embassy were extremely well crafted, each one based on her previous answer, and it was clear the officer granted the tourist visa based on her answers.  

 

Of course, the DS-160 and the background check had to have no red flags as well. 

Did your MIL pay for the DS-160 fee, or did you or your spouse pay for the fee?

 

1 hour ago, top_secret said:

Parents with kids in the US do seem to have better odds for B2 visas than most in the Philippines.  Having a US based kid does defacto make them well off by Philippine standards. Factors like age or if MIL and FIL are still together might make a difference (???)

A Filipina friend of my spouse, just a couple of months ago, had her Father get rejected, and the next day her Mother got approved for the B2. The Mother is currently in the US visiting.

 

19 minutes ago, Boiler said:

DS 160 questions are factual.

 

She can apply as often as she wants, her money, best to not get involved.

Actually, it was we who paid for the MIL DS-160 fee with a US credit card.

I wonder if that might trigger a flag with the consulate?

Edited 13 hours ago by EatBulaga

[W199 541]

11 minutes ago, EatBulaga said:

Did your MIL pay for the DS-160 fee, or did you or your spouse pay for the fee?

 

A Filipina friend of my spouse, just a couple of months ago, had her Father get rejected, and the next day her Mother got approved for the B2. The Mother is currently in the US visiting.

 

Actually, it was we who paid for the MIL DS-160 fee with a US credit card.

I wonder if that might trigger a flag with the consulate?

 

Yes, I paid for everything, my MIL has no money. 

[TBoneTX 48,794]

All else equal, a good travel history can be a plus.

Have her visit another country (or two) and return home.

Wait appropriately, then try again for a B-2.