Visitor Visaapproved after 2 rejections

Raja Sampath

Registered Users (C)
My mom got her visitor visa approved for 10 years after 2 rejections on May 19th '03 from Chennai Consulate. I am sharing our experiences with the consulate here.


Brief Intro on Applicant Status:

My mom is 52 yr old widow living with her old parents. She took her voluntary retirement from the goverment service few years back. I got one elder sister who is married already.



1st Rejection (Mar 2002):

Sponsor's (My) Status: I am married. I Filled my I-485 in Jan 2002. My H1B was expiring in Apr 2002. Yet to get my EAD. I was waiting for my EAD. Luckily got my EAD before my mom went to the consulate.

Documents from my side:
As usual, Consolidate Bank Statement, Employer Letter, Affidavit of Support, Pay Stubs, my Passport Copy.

Documents from my mother's side:
Her Bank Statements, Passport/Passport Copy, tax returns, property documents.

During the first application, I did not send my wife's passport copy and W2's. Since she is not eligible for drop box due to her age, we scheduled an appointment and she went for the interview. We did not take any help from any travel agents. But her application was rejected under 214 (b).

Since during that period, if an application is rejected under 214(b), the person will be allowed to appear personally only after one year she applied thro mail the second time.

2nd Rejection (Jun 2002 - Application thro Mail):

Even though there was no significant status change to show as evidience that my mom that she will be coming back to India, just thought we can try our luck again. So we just added some additional documents like my W2's and my wife's passport to the document list. Also from my mom's side, we added a letter from her parents stating that they are solely dependent on her and letter from my sister assuring my mom will come back to spend time with her and family. But once again the application got rejected.


3rd Application:

During the period between 2nd rejection and 3rd application, I could able to buy a land in India and made my mom as POA for it. The loan is pending back home.


(I prepared documents based on www.immihelp.com, www.path2usa.com and www.ttsdropbox.com references)

Documents from My Side: Same as above

From my mothers side: Same as above plus new land documents and her POA document. Letters from my grand parents and my sister was taken out from the list.

She contacted some travel agent who prepared her for the interview. We waited for the completion of one year after 1st rejection and then scheduled for the interview.

During the interview, usaul set of questions was asked by the Consulate officer. The officer never looked at the documents. When he/she asked my mom why does she want to come back to india, it seems like she told she want to construct the house in the new land.

Once the interview was over, the officer asked her to pay the visa issuance fees and told her that she will be getting her visa in 2-3 days by post.

I really donno whether the new land document made any difference in my mom's case as that officer did not even care to look at the documents. Thought I can just share our experiences with the Chennai Consulate here.

Good luck for all those who are in a similar situation.

Disclaimer:
This is not a guideline or something which can be used to obtain a visa at chennai consulate. These were our experiences with the chennai consulate. Issuance of visa is solely dependent on the consulate officer.


Regards
Raja
 
Thanks for sharing the experience. So the last time, she went thro the travel agent, correct? which one? how do these travel agent work exactly? do we have to book tickets thro them etc. I've heard they charge huge amt of money.
 
Hi Shyam

Here u go.

>>> which one?
She contacted some travel agent who has some tie up with Satyam Infosys, Chennai, as one of my inlaw's working over there introduced him to my mom.

>>> how do these travel agent work exactly? do we have to book tickets thro them etc.

I dont think we need to book tickets or do travel arrangements with them.

>> I've heard they charge huge amt of money.

I am not sure whether she paid any money or not. Will check with her when I call next time and let u know.


Have a nice day
Raja
 
Shyam

My mom did not pay anything to Travel Agent. It seems like he asked her to book her tickets thro him whenever she is travelling. You were right on this.

Sorry about the delay in reply.

Thanks
Raja
 
Hello Raja:
My mother's visa application got rejected under 214(b). She is only 58 and she attended the personal interview at chennai. I am planning to reapply . Does she need to go to consulate again or can she use dropbox facility. One more thing, does she need to send 4900/- DD..Any answers in this regard will be appreciated.
 
Hi Suk

Sorry about the visa rejection.

Previously (Before Feb or Mar 2003), when a visitor visa got rejected under 214(b), only after one year from the date of rejection you will be allowed to attend the personal interview. But till that time you can reapply thro mail any no of times. You cannot use drop box facility for that.

But, now due to increased security checks, you got to attend the personal interview everytime you reapply and got to pay 4900/- for the DD. I remember coming across this news in some website. But just verify it before you proceed further.


Refer US consulate website for more info on this.
http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/wwwhnivfaq1.html.

Here is a extract from that website.
"
8. How do I re apply after a visa has been refused?

214(b) Refusals

If you have been refused under Section 214(b) you may choose to reapply and appear in person for another personal interview. Please be aware, however, that in the absence of any significant change in your situation or new information, it is unlikely that you will be issued a visa. Please consider this when deciding whether to travel to Chennai. If you choose to reapply, you may schedule an appointment for a personal interview at www.ttsvisas.com.

Please note that if you have been refused under Section 214(b) and you choose to reapply, you will be required to fill out a new application form. In addition, you will also be required to pay the NIV application fee of Rs. 4900 each time you reapply.
"

For more references:
http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/wwwhniv214b.html


Hope this helps.

Good luck
 
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