Our U.S. tourist visa was "refused." What can I do?
 

My wife, My son, and I. All three of us applied for a visa to America last week, however, Our application was refused.

This is my resume.
I have worked in a China state-owned company as a shipyard Marine outfitting Designer for 12years. We have two houses, two cars, and we have about 60,000 dollars in the bank, My wife, who works on infantile massage in our community for about 1 year. My wife my son and I, have been in Korea and the UK this year, Now We are going to the United States for travel during the Christmas season .but we were refused .:( . Why,:helpme

I would probably head to Mexico and cross there. Then just assimilate for the year you want to be here.

Or apply for asylum.

We are only for a trave and not as an immigrant.

Go to canada and have a much better and safer time....the USA has no friends...

I assume there is some sort of appeals procedure? - There are legit visa consultants, a lot are cons so you would need to do some research on that - Good luck...

This is to inform you that you have been found ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214(b) of the US. Immigration and Nationality Act. A denial under Section 214(b) means that you were not able to demonstrate that your intended activities in the United States would be consistent with the classifica tion of the nonimmigrant visa for which you appliedWhile nonimmigrant visa classifications each have their own unique requirements, one requirement shared by many of the nonimmigrant visa categories is for the applicant to demonstrate that helshe has a residence in a foreign country which he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants usually meet this requirement by demonstrating that they have strong ties overseas that indicate that they will return to a foreign country after a temporary visit to the United States. Such ties include professional, work school, family, or social links to a foreign country. You have not demonstrated that you have the ties that will compel you to return to your home country after your travel to the United StatesToday's decision cannot be appealed. However, you may reapply at any time. If you decide to reapply, please go to Apply for a Visa | Global Home. You must submit a new application form and photo, pay the visa application fee again, and make a new appointment to be interviewed by a consular officer. f you choose to reapply, you should be prepared to provide information that was not presented in your original application, or to demonstrate that your circumstances have changed since that application.

It definitely looks like you need to look for a visa consultant - It could be that you didn't provide enough evidence...

In other words...we got enough homegrown commies here.

You mean we are unwelcome guests. It seems that You've always been Trump's supporter. even to the visitor.

I am sorry, I thought for sure you were kidding/trolling. Who in their right mind would come to GFY for CBP advice?

Seek an attorney if serious.

What passport do you hold that's the biggest factor

Thank you. I'm inclined to trust GFY.

Yes , I know .:(

They are not legal experts.

Americans and Europeans get denied visas to China all the time lately. For instance, if you are a journalist or represent an NGO, you will get denied.

Academic visas require an in person visit to a consulate, which can take months. You just got caught up in it, but a lot of people are feeling the bad relations right now.

Shit happens. When I was getting my first American visa, the US embassy was playing for time (I have no idea why), when I was in hurry. I said "fuck you" to the US council in Moscow. Yes, I really told him that. And my visa was done... for a half of its cost. I've paid for one year but got mine for two.

It seems that your houses and cars and sixty grand in a bank don’t help. Your occupation and reason to visit are more important than the things you might leaving behind to defect.

A visa counselor or attorney would be my advice. It sounds like you didn’t fill out your applications correctly or didn’t give enough information to get your visa.

Good luck. Oh, do you work in that adult industry or did you find us via a web search? I’m curious how travel visas would link here unless you just used Visa in your search.

This is exactly the reason you did not get a visa... Americans think they have the best country in the world and anyone/everyone want to come there and stay there for good... I think having 60k in the bank does not help your case, in their mind it only makes it easier for you to stay there while you figure things out.
Good luck.

The USA is no way a country where I would like to live (overpriced, insecure, with racial hate etc). But let's be honest here. It's one of the 3 countries that were made by immigrants for immigrants. I mean the USA, Canada, Australia and Russia (it was not made by immigrants but it's a home for 190 ethnic groups from the World). These countries where every person... is a parson and it doesn't matter where he have came from. Germany is for Germans. Israel is for Jews, British is for Britains etc. Only those 4 countries are for everyone (yes, now I said 4 and 3, because Russia was not been established by immigrants, but it also a very multi-national country). And course the USA is the most propagandized one.

Hey, don't forget New Zealand!..

Ah it's most same a Australia, but without deadly animals and the place where people from around the World (including my own country) are choose when they want to live at their old ages.

lol - You could get lynched for saying that here!..

The most important thing is that I'm not there :) Do you understand how many hours you must spend in the airplane to move from Moscow to Wellington? Sorry, but I pass.

:thumbsup

Europe Visa is Ok . American vist is difficult for Chinese.

Thank you . the reason may have a lot of.

I know several Europeans who have gotten denied for visas unless they switched to tourist. No NGOs. And Americans, forget it.

Who gets an attorney for a tourist visa? Just my opinion, but I expect doing that just looks like someone actually intends to stay illegally.

Just call your local US Embassy or Consulate and tell them you are legit tourist, ask them who you should talk to there who can help you, ask what info they were looking for or what the concerns about you entering the country are, demonstrate you have the funds and reasons to return home. QED

Disclaimer: I am not an immigration attorney, so please do not take this as legal advice, but, FFS, in my opinion this is not complicated.

Hit up Canada

Just don't come. Ain't shit to see here.

“The farther you travel, the less you know.” Tao Te King

OMG. I get the very clear impression that many people here that are giving out the advice, don't actually have much experience traveling let alone deal with the American Consulate. :2 cents:

First and foremost, the Consul staff have full authority to approve or decline you. There are three major things which come into play:

- regardless of what you stated on your application, they have in advance presumed you to be guilty of _______________ (wanting to work in the US and/or overstay, etc.) and that you do not have the financial motivation or family connections to want to return home. In the case where an interview was required, they were watching you in the waiting area, before you have walked up to the window. At that moment, they passed again a judgment on you, thinking that they likely will or likely will not issue the Visa. They presume that all documents presented are likely fake. You literally have a couple of minutes to impress/convince them enough to grant you the Visa.

- they have a quota (a limit) on the number of Visas that can be issued in each category.

- current politics ( in your case, the current relationship between the US and China) are a clear factor.

There is an appeal process where you contact the US State Department directly. It is very time consuming, and very rarely will they overturn the decision made by local Consul staff. The burden of proof that they clearly went against their own internal screening guidelines is on you. Since you don't know their in house rules, you have no way to prove they violating them. What you should do, if coming to the US is very important to you, is simply reapply.

When reapplying, carefully take into consideration, what you wrote before in the questionnaire, and see if there are any changes in facts that need to be made. Second, bring with you originals and/or certified copies of anything that supports your claims (traveling to foreign countries that are friendly to the US, ownership of any homes, buildings, businesses, bank statements going back a couple years, statements by employers confirming your position, responsibilities and salary, plus a statement that they are only allowing you to be absent for certain days, and that they expect you to return to your position by a certain date, etc.).

If you are willing to leave your minor children at home, while you and your spouse travel, this will improve your chances of being approved.

When given the option to speak in Mandarin, Cantonese or English, consider speaking in English. Because of the language, there is a more personal connection between you and the interviewing officer.

Dress professionally, and walk with confidence (but without attitude). Try to dress more like a wealthier educated American (whatever that means to you). Do not be afraid of the officer. Look them straight in the eyes. Do not give them the feeling that you are lying about anything. Always speak with respect but also with confidence.

The last piece of advice, try to find the fax number or email addresses to the Consul General and Consul Section. Prepare a signed letter using very good English. Introduce yourself. Let them know that you had previously applied on X date, and was denied, and was actually surprised by that decision because you were able to prove your ___________________. Perhaps it was in error or misunderstanding, and therefore you are reapplying for the Visa, and have a new interview date of X. Attach all supporting documents to the fax or email. You can even let them know that if necessary you would leave your minor child at home with relatives, to allow you to travel briefly to the US, but that you would prefer that he/she/they come with you, so that you all can visit relatives, friends, or be a tourist seeing X, Y and Z.

While officially they do not want to receive any package of documents to review in advance by email/fax, the fact is, someone likely will review it. If for any reason they want to do confirm anything (bank, title, employer, etc), they have more time to do it.

Good luck!

PSA to non Americans applying for Visas to the US...

One of the biggest factors in the decision process to approve or decline a Visa application hangs on the simple question, does this person intend to work without authorization and remain illegally in the USA.

When applying, you are staying that you absolutely do not intend to stay in the USA.

50,000 Diversity Visas are issued every year worth several million foreigners applying.
What is immensely valuable to the US State Department is the data collected.

Millions apply for the lottery stating that would love to immigrate to the US. Millions more apply every year for various temporary Visas stating they do not want or intend to migrate to the US. The State Department checks the Visa applicant against this database.

Imagine how many are found in the Diversity Visa applicant database. While not absolute, this information serves as another filter to support denials.

NALEM, Thanks for the advice.About sending an email, I've never really thought about that. You sound professional.:)
The biggest problem is the Consul staff have full authority to approve or decline me. I am worried that I will get bumped back with an automated reply .

Frequent travel for my international team and I have regularly exposed us to various foreign Consulates, including my own US Consulates abroad.

Consul staff approve or decline hundreds of thousands of applicants annually. I know it's not easy for you to accept a rejection but try to understand that you are an absolute stranger to them, and they do not know your true intentions. They are quickly passing judgement based on training they receive, regarding past experiences with applicants and their paperwork.

The glue that can support your application is the few minutes of subconscious bonding you have with them. Hence I suggest speaking English, wearing American style clothing, and in general being more confident.

Please know that if the Consul Officer / Staff reply to any email, they likely will not identify themselves by name or position, and will not discuss or advise you about your case.

You are simply providing them a written statement and supporting documents in advance for their consideration.

That consideration will be for the new application that you will have submitted along with the appropriate fees.

I agree. I suspect there are even key words and phrases that will get you an instant denial. Looking and sounding too desperate would get you a no as well I would guess...

That's why I suggested professional help - They are more likely to know what those things are.....

Nalem beat me, and did a way more thorough job then I ever could. Very short addition to this is - when you go through appeals, make sure to have ALL your documents, translated and notarized. Anything that can be a factor - ownership of land/real estate/cars. Elderly relatives needing care, what you do and any income, in statements and bank printouts, where you work and your salary, as well as your wife's. It's best to have a letter stating that you have a planned vacation and that your position will be kept for you until you return from your trip, or if you own a business - any incorporation docs you have... literally anything you can think of that can be used to support your claim. The "presumption of illegal immigration" is a guideline they all follow, and it's your job to prove them wrong.

Maybe they didn't like your GFY status?

His picture :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

To most Americans Asians look the same ;)

Natalie, thanks for the compliment and more important for noticing what I failed to add. While it's not mandatory it's very smart to translate all documents into English and certify the copies as being true copies of the original ad witnessed by a Notary.

Xinyonghu which US Consulate in ROC did you apply and/or interview at?

You work as a shipyard marine outfitting designer why don't you come like the rest of the Chinese in a shipping container?

Seriously, nobody was thinking it? What happened to the tasteless sense of humor this board used to have.

NALEM ,We interviewed in Beijin last month.

My Visa consultant said we should bring the original document to look over if necessary.Because VO knows about Chinese . In fact, they haven't seen any of it.

Sorry. Do you mean the news about 39 dead in a container in England?

Most of the documents doesn't show up on the DS160 application forms. and can not be appealed. but could have a second interview.

One possible reason may be No more confident.

Probably just a really poor time to try with news of spies and current politics etc.

Dude, don't get caught up in the weeds. Visas between US and China are taking longer on both sides right now. That's just the way it is.

i'd be inclined to disagree with that statement

:1orglaugh

not this year, sir...

#

Xinyonghu, hello.

Ignore some of the replies here. Some are idiots, and others are just having fun. Many Americans have no idea how stressful and difficult it is, to have to apply for a Visa to enter the United States.

Confident people "appear" to be relaxed and honest. When people are nervous or anxious or desperate in the eyes of the Consul Staff, the Consul Staff is asking themselves why is this person behaving this way. Are they lying to me, and afraid to be caught in the lie?

For general clarification, when you traveled to Korea, was it South or North Korea?
Shipyard marine outfitting designer? What type of position is this? Do you require special security clearance with your government or employer? You can imagine that the US Government would be worried if you visit cities near the naval shipyards, that you could be a spy.

The good news, if its correct, that Beijing is processing Tourist Visas within 3 business days, so if you work quickly and in a smart way prepare your supporting documents, including translations and notary certification, you could have your interview very soon.

Photocopy your past or current passports pages which also show entry/exit stamps and Visas to countries you traveled. Bank statements showing past payment for travel packages and hotels abroad, including any photos of yourself in known tourist destinations, all help.

If you write me directly, I will try to share with you some email addresses for Beijing. Some you may recognize from their website, others will come from a State Department directory we keep. Unfortunately with our current President, many positions including that of Consul General are not officially filled in many locations. I will try to provide you the most updated information.

Email me directly: alex AT nalem DOT com