B2 visa for parents - applying 2nd time

[roy2017]

Hi..

I am applying for B2 visa for my parents second time. First time it was rejected and a short summary is as follows -*

The first interview was on August 9,2016. My dad is retired state govt. employee and my mom housewife. They applied under self sponsorship. They showed more than INR20lac of bank balance and two properties on their name. I am the only child. I have been in US for almost 10 years, did MS, PhD and now working in R&D and my status is H1-B. At the time of application my I-797 was approved, but I did not have the H1B stamp as I did not travel outside US after I797 was approved (April 2016). Parents interview -

VO: Who do you want to visit? Parents: My son.*---VO: what does he do in USA? Do you have his documents? Parents: Yes, he did his MS and PhD there and now he works for xx company and here is copy of the visa (approved I797)---VO: No, no..not this document, give me a copy of his passport. Parents: Ok, here it is. ---(The VO looked at my passport which had only F1 visa stamps and arrival departure records, gave it to some other guy, discussed something and asked my parents to come to another window)---VO: What do you do? What is your monthly income. Parents (dad): *I am retired and RS.xxx*is monthly pension.---VO: Sorry, you cannot get visa, here is 214(b) letter.

Now, preparing for the 2nd application - I have visited them couple of months back on Jan.2017 and got my H1-B visa stamp. I am also sponsoring them this time. My questions are*

1) What could have been the major reason they rejected the B2 visa first time?

2) What should I write in the "Explain" field for "Have you ever been refused an us visa?". I know I have to select "Yes".

3) What else I can do to make it a strong case for them?

Any help/suggestion is highly appreciated..

Thanks,

[rcmax]

Hi..

I am applying for B2 visa for my parents second time. First time it was rejected and a short summary is as follows -*

The first interview was on August 9,2016. My dad is retired state govt. employee and my mom housewife. They applied under self sponsorship. They showed more than INR20lac of bank balance and two properties on their name. I am the only child. I have been in US for almost 10 years, did MS, PhD and now working in R&D and my status is H1-B. At the time of application my I-797 was approved, but I did not have the H1B stamp as I did not travel outside US after I797 was approved (April 2016). Parents interview -

VO: Who do you want to visit? Parents: My son.*---VO: what does he do in USA? Do you have his documents? Parents: Yes, he did his MS and PhD there and now he works for xx company and here is copy of the visa (approved I797)---VO: No, no..not this document, give me a copy of his passport. Parents: Ok, here it is. ---(The VO looked at my passport which had only F1 visa stamps and arrival departure records, gave it to some other guy, discussed something and asked my parents to come to another window)---VO: What do you do? What is your monthly income. Parents (dad): *I am retired and RS.xxx*is monthly pension.---VO: Sorry, you cannot get visa, here is 214(b) letter.

Now, preparing for the 2nd application - I have visited them couple of months back on Jan.2017 and got my H1-B visa stamp. I am also sponsoring them this time. My questions are*

1) What could have been the major reason they rejected the B2 visa first time?

2) What should I write in the "Explain" field for "Have you ever been refused an us visa?". I know I have to select "Yes".

3) What else I can do to make it a strong case for them?

Any help/suggestion is highly appreciated..

Thanks,

1) You are the only son and they being retired is the most "probable" reason. They have no strong ties to India as there are no
other children. They can use the tourist visa as a tool to frequently visit US and live with you for extended periods of time
(basically make US a second home) which is NOT what a tourist visa is meant for.

2) Write 'Denied visa in August 2016'

3) Not much. Your circumstances are what they are. Bank balance and properties in India don't count, VO does'nt even ask/see
those documents.

[roy2017]

1) You are the only son and they being retired is the most "probable" reason. They have no strong ties to India as there are no
other children. They can use the tourist visa as a tool to frequently visit US and live with you for extended periods of time
(basically make US a second home) which is NOT what a tourist visa is meant for.

2) Write 'Denied visa in August 2016'

3) Not much. Your circumstances are what they are. Bank balance and properties in India don't count, VO does'nt even ask/see
those documents.

rcmax....
thanks for your response..it's really pretty tough on us that I am not able to bring them to visit me even after staying 10 years in US..but its hard to convince VO that the rules won't be violated or strong ties to India..I myself never had any trouble with all visa stamps so far..
I was thinking if is it okay to mention in the "Explain" section that - "I believe the major reason could be because my son did not have the H1b visa stamp on the last occasion." would it increase any chances since now I have the h1b stamp..

thanks..

[rcmax]

rcmax....
thanks for your response..it's really pretty tough on us that I am not able to bring them to visit me even after staying 10 years in US..but its hard to convince VO that the rules won't be violated or strong ties to India..I myself never had any trouble with all visa stamps so far..
I was thinking if is it okay to mention in the "Explain" section that - "I believe the major reason could be because my son did not have the H1b visa stamp on the last occasion." would it increase any chances since now I have the h1b stamp..

thanks..

That is a conjecture or your assumption, writing that does not harm nor does it improve the chances. VO will know exactly why it was rejected the first time because it is noted in their system. I personally don't think you not having the H1B visa stamp was the issue, VOs know that students go on F1, land a job and apply for H1B and have a I-797 which confers legal status. Maybe the VO was new and just wanted to confirm it with a more experienced VO so he discussed with him. Lack of strong ties is the main issue I see here.

[roy2017]

That is a conjecture or your assumption, writing that does not harm nor does it improve the chances. VO will know exactly why it was rejected the first time because it is noted in their system. I personally don't think you not having the H1B visa stamp was the issue, VOs know that students go on F1, land a job and apply for H1B and have a I-797 which confers legal status. Maybe the VO was new and just wanted to confirm it with a more experienced VO so he discussed with him. Lack of strong ties is the main issue I see here.

rcmax..thank you for the suggestions..I just wanted to inform you that my parents visa got approved applying 2nd time..I did mention the differences in DS-160 as stated earlier (I have H1-B stamp and that I am sponsoring this time)..the VO this time did not ask for any of my documents this time..asked standard questions like.."why and when you are planning to go?..when you will come back..what does your son do..you have any properties in India..etc.etc.." and then "congratulations..your visa is approved..please collect it after 3 days"..never asked anything related to previous denial..

Since..it is a success..it leads to believe me..the differences made the difference!

[rcmax]

rcmax..thank you for the suggestions..I just wanted to inform you that my parents visa got approved applying 2nd time..I did mention the differences in DS-160 as stated earlier (I have H1-B stamp and that I am sponsoring this time)..the VO this time did not ask for any of my documents this time..asked standard questions like.."why and when you are planning to go?..when you will come back..what does your son do..you have any properties in India..etc.etc.." and then "congratulations..your visa is approved..please collect it after 3 days"..never asked anything related to previous denial..

Since..it is a success..it leads to believe me..the differences made the difference!

I am happy for you man.