ChatterBank1 min ago
refused a Visa
I have recently been refused a H2 B Visa. Will this stop me from visiting the US for a holiday/vacation? Will I be denied entry in the states? and how long can I take a trip for without a Visa?
Thanks
Alex
Thanks
Alex
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.You might find it difficult to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program.
From the website of the US embassy:
"While travelers who have been refused a visa under the provisions of Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not ineligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, they will be questioned by an immigration official at the U. S. port of entry regarding the refusal by the Embassy or Consulate.
The traveler should carry with him or her evidence of his or her intention to depart the United States at the end of the visit. This is generally satisfied by furnishing evidence of strong social and economic ties to the traveler's place of permanent residence. There is no set form that this should take as each person's circumstances differ.
If the immigration officer is not satisfied that the traveler meets the qualifications for nonimmigrant status, the traveler will be denied entry."
So, it appears that you'll be required to provide evidence of 'ties' if you attempt to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Since you couldn't produce sufficient evidence to obtain a visa, there would seem to be a strong possibility that you might encounter the same problem on arrival in the USA.
Chris
From the website of the US embassy:
"While travelers who have been refused a visa under the provisions of Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not ineligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, they will be questioned by an immigration official at the U. S. port of entry regarding the refusal by the Embassy or Consulate.
The traveler should carry with him or her evidence of his or her intention to depart the United States at the end of the visit. This is generally satisfied by furnishing evidence of strong social and economic ties to the traveler's place of permanent residence. There is no set form that this should take as each person's circumstances differ.
If the immigration officer is not satisfied that the traveler meets the qualifications for nonimmigrant status, the traveler will be denied entry."
So, it appears that you'll be required to provide evidence of 'ties' if you attempt to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Since you couldn't produce sufficient evidence to obtain a visa, there would seem to be a strong possibility that you might encounter the same problem on arrival in the USA.
Chris
I suspect that if you try to enter on a Visa Waiver, they will have noted on their records that you were refused a visa (twice). If you haven't convinced embassy staff during the application/interview, I expect USCBP on the spot are not going to be very lenient.
It is a real bummer; I went through the same **** with my girlfriend living in the States, and visiting frequently. Luckily I could prove 'strong ties' to the UK, but even then they only issues a 3 year B1/B2 (the max/norm was/is ten years), so you can see they still weren't entirely happy, despite me having an overall strong and well prepared application.
In your position I'd focus all my effort on building a picture of strong ties to the UK.
p.s. Having a return air ticket out never helped prove much for me. Even if I went for say 4 weeks their attitude was 'As far as I'm concerned it might as well be 90 days (i.e. they were suggesting I could have changed the ticket), and then you'll just come back again'.
It is a real bummer; I went through the same **** with my girlfriend living in the States, and visiting frequently. Luckily I could prove 'strong ties' to the UK, but even then they only issues a 3 year B1/B2 (the max/norm was/is ten years), so you can see they still weren't entirely happy, despite me having an overall strong and well prepared application.
In your position I'd focus all my effort on building a picture of strong ties to the UK.
p.s. Having a return air ticket out never helped prove much for me. Even if I went for say 4 weeks their attitude was 'As far as I'm concerned it might as well be 90 days (i.e. they were suggesting I could have changed the ticket), and then you'll just come back again'.
you could have a look on here
http://www.solutionsinlaw.co.uk/b_1_b_2_visa.h tm
but it seems youve tried that approach already. A letter from your employer maybe beneficial it seems?
http://www.solutionsinlaw.co.uk/b_1_b_2_visa.h tm
but it seems youve tried that approach already. A letter from your employer maybe beneficial it seems?
Hi Tappy,
It is tough, and pretty stupid. The issue is within the difference between a B1/B2 and the VWS.
In that the VWS gives you very few rights, and allows a stay of max 90 days. The B1/B2 gives rights to stay up to six months (and then apply to extend to a year)... and is the first channel for a lot of people in eventually applying for a green card.
I can see where the embassy are coming from in a way - if your case is anything like mine was. You are not really going their (on a B1/B2) quite on holiday, you are to an extent going to live with your girlfriend. Who you might get engaged to, might marry, might then apply for a green card.
I went to the States at least 6 times in a year on the VWS, for a total of maybe 8 months until they accused me of 'abusing the sheme', 'working here illegally', and telling me I could not use it any more.
You would have thought a mortgage, bank statement and job would be enough to prove 'strong ties' for heavens sake. Did you enclose proof of all of this with your application? An employee letter would definitely help too ('To who it may concern, Tappy is in full time employment with us, we understand he is hoping to visit the US on holiday from x date to y date, and then return to work').
Plus, do you have any family here?
This really should prove enough. If not I think the embassy should be telling you really quite specifically what their issues are.
Good luck.
It is tough, and pretty stupid. The issue is within the difference between a B1/B2 and the VWS.
In that the VWS gives you very few rights, and allows a stay of max 90 days. The B1/B2 gives rights to stay up to six months (and then apply to extend to a year)... and is the first channel for a lot of people in eventually applying for a green card.
I can see where the embassy are coming from in a way - if your case is anything like mine was. You are not really going their (on a B1/B2) quite on holiday, you are to an extent going to live with your girlfriend. Who you might get engaged to, might marry, might then apply for a green card.
I went to the States at least 6 times in a year on the VWS, for a total of maybe 8 months until they accused me of 'abusing the sheme', 'working here illegally', and telling me I could not use it any more.
You would have thought a mortgage, bank statement and job would be enough to prove 'strong ties' for heavens sake. Did you enclose proof of all of this with your application? An employee letter would definitely help too ('To who it may concern, Tappy is in full time employment with us, we understand he is hoping to visit the US on holiday from x date to y date, and then return to work').
Plus, do you have any family here?
This really should prove enough. If not I think the embassy should be telling you really quite specifically what their issues are.
Good luck.