Going to the UK but there's a problem----Please advice

[indianh1b]

hello, i'd appreicate as many opinions as possible as this is worrying me....

I am an Indian citizen and a US Permanent Resident. I am planning on applying for a visit visa to the UK very soon. I intend to visit the UK for some business reason and return to the US after 10 days. I am currently filling up the UK visa application form and there's a question that asks whether I was refused a visa to another country before. I don't remember seeing this question in that form before as I've been to the UK many times. Here's the problem:

Back in 1993 when I was in India I got an admission to a US University. I applied for the student visa (F1) at the US consulate in Chennai and the visa was refused due to "Potential Immigrant" reason. I did not apply for the US visa again at that time and went to the UK for Masters instead. I've travelled to the UK 3 times as well after completing my Masters in UK.

After 1993, I started to travel to US from India in 1998 on IT projects without any visa issues. I was able to obtain US B1 4 times and 1 new H1-b and a H1b-extension successfully. Now I am a US permanent resident.

I intend to state the truth in the UK visa application form that yes I did get refused a student visa to the US back in 1993 due to the "Potential Immigrant" reason. My question is this: Will this affect my current UK visa application in any negative manner??? Will the UK immigration officer in NYC refuse or delay the application to verify the authenticity of my 1993 US refusal?? If he asks me to submit documents, then there are none! The US consulate staff just stamped my passport saying that my application was received at that time. It doesn't say anything about a refusal but i know that this record stays in the US INS systems.

Please offer your opinions soon as I am quite worried by this dilemma.

Even though back in 1993 i was refused for being a potential immigrant, I AM an immigrant now. I don't know what the UK visa officer will think about this)

[wik]

It may seem obvious, but telling the truth is always a good thing in immigration matters. Given that you are now a US LPR, and have your green card, I don't think the UK authorities will be too concerned about a US visa decision over a decade ago.

[eltoro]

Originally Posted by wik

It may seem obvious, but telling the truth is always a good thing in immigration matters. Given that you are now a US LPR, and have your green card, I don't think the UK authorities will be too concerned about a US visa decision over a decade ago.

I'll second that, especially that he's been to UK many times after the denial happened and (I hope) departed on time.

[niladri30]

Rule # 1: Stick to the truth.
Rule # 2: See rule # 1.

With you being an US LPR, I doubt if there will be a refusal.
But look at it this way as well: What if they did refuse you? Life's over?
Circumstances change dude... so what if you were a Potential Immigrant then, and an immigrant now? Being an immigrant is a crime? All its proves is that there was an astute consular officer at the Chennai US embasy at that time

In any case, most consulates prefer that you tell the truth... it does not mean VISA denial, even for more serious stuff as well. e.g. Canada asks if you have ever been arrested... and then tells you that it will not deny you a VISA for simple stuff like disturbing the peace, etc.

Good luck!

[sadiq]

The advice is impeccable. Let me just add one comment: a Europe visit visa is usually a given for an American PR. You may be asked to provide proof of employment/income, but you'll probably get it. After all, the odds of one of us deciding to immigrate to Europe is practically nil.

best rgds,
sadiq

[indianh1b]

Thanks to everyone for your inputs. My concern was whether the UK consular staff could delay the case in order to investigate what really happenned to my case 11 years ago. I was not given any documents or forms related to the refusal at the US consulate so I don't have anything to support the claim that it was denied due to the "Potential Immigrant" reason. The only proof i have is the stamping made in my passport at that time that states the date of application.

I'd be surprised if the UK staff want to investigate at the cause of US denial and cause delays. I don't have a problem if they call up the State department to ask what happenned but I would like to get the visa ASAP.
Hopefully it shouldn't matter, you think?

Thanks again.

[Avalon]

Do not get paranoid. I got UK visit visa for vacationing when I was on H1. You had been to UK and if you at all wanted to immigrate to UK you could have stayed but you did not. Now you are in US and you are a PR so the issue would not be a problem.

Most records are valid for 10 years and are not kept beyond that point. US may not have that information on file as denial of visa was not a crime. Personally, I would not put. I am odd here. But if it was UK student visa that was denied then I would have been careful.

I rather not give any importance to this question as they may ask more detail. I received my UK visa within a week, from the time I sent my passport to NY and the time time that I received in my hand. Probably the same will be with you.

[alren]

I would put it in. But with your background, I do not think it should matter.

I applied for a UK visa last yr. and got it. I did state that my 1st F1 was rejected (and then it was approved few weeks later and on valid staus in US in past 10 yrs. ...etc.)

[indianh1b]

I am committed to stating only the truth.

I emailed the British consulate directly asking them if they would want me to allocate more time for processing this case. They have responded saying I should consider applying in advance if possible. They said that they cannot guarantee to anyone if their application will be approved as each case is different and it all depends on the documents provided.

alren, did you submit any documents with your UK application form to support your initial F1 refusal?? The UK consulate website does not consider this scenario when listing the required documents.

[Rajah101]

My wife's H1 was rejected a few years ago. She applied for UK tourist visa , a year ago, stating the H1 rejection fact. She had no problems getting UK visa the same day.

So, I think you should have no problems. However, I think you have a more serious problem of being "excessively" paranoid even when so many people have counseled you.

A friend of mine had similar paranoia/anxiety problem; on advice of his physician, he went to a professional counsellor for 8-10 sessions. Now, he is much better, though not fully normal.

[alren]

Originally Posted by indianh1b

alren, did you submit any documents with your UK application form to support your initial F1 refusal?? The UK consulate website does not consider this scenario when listing the required documents.

No! There are no documents as such for the same.

[indianh1b]

Thanks for all the inputs. I guess there's nothing to worry about.
I'll approach this will confidence.

Thanks again.