Denied Visa last year but will re-apply again next week for the same purpose of trave

[remuz102689]

Hi. I am a 27 year old male from the Philippines, Single and have worked for a Call Center for more than 5 years. I applied last June 2016 but was rejected. Here's how the interview went:

VO: Good morning!
ME: Good morning!
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I was invited as a guest by (a church in the US) to participate in many of their activities and events
VO: May I see your invitation?
Me: (gave her the invitation but she did not read it)
VO: Where in the US?
Me: Answered the city and state
VO: What's in it for you?
Me: I will become a Pastor here after the training
VO: What's your job here?
Me: I am a Manager
VO: How long?
Me: Eversince or with my current employer?
VO: Eversince
Me: 5 years
VO: Who will pay for your trip?
Me: The church in the US will provide me meals, housing and transportation. Our local church will provide the plane ticket and my personal allowance. I have my own savings too.
VO: Unfortunately, I cannot give you a visa. Thank you.
Me: Oh, okay, thank you.

Do you know what could be the reason of my denial last year? Next week, I am scheduled for an interview again. Lots have changed in my situation since. Here are the changes:

-I am no engaged to my long time girlfriend and set to get married on December
-I have resigned from my previous job and is now working as a full-time Pastoral staff for 9 months (1 months after my visa was denied last year)
-Our house title is now in the process of being transferred under my name
-I have a business for almost 4 years now which I did not mention in the interview last year. However, that business is a sweepstakes outlet which might contradict my current job in our church.

Let me know your thoughts please. I will give you an update next week regarding the result of my interview so please respond with your feedback and advise as soon as possible. I appreciate all your help. Thank you.

P.S
I will go to the US for the same reason. I was invited again for a 5 month stay by the church in the US to participate in their programs and activities.

[inadmissible]

"a 5 month stay by the church in the US to participate in their programs and activities" is too vague a description, and is not specific enough to warrant granting a B visa

[remuz102689]

"a 5 month stay by the church in the US to participate in their programs and activities" is too vague a description, and is not specific enough to warrant granting a B visa

Thank you. What do you suggest? Should I explain further my purpose? Is it safe to say that I will be there for a training? Please give me some tips and advice. Thanks.

[NettieL]

............. to participate in their programs and activities.

Get a letter from the church which outlines the training opportunities.

eg interpersonal- and leadership skills development through leading Bible Studies; public speaking through preaching/teaching opportunities, etc etc

[remuz102689]

Get a letter from the church which outlines the training opportunities.

eg interpersonal- and leadership skills development through leading Bible Studies; public speaking through preaching/teaching opportunities, etc etc

Thanks for your feedback. Is it from our church here or the church in the U.S?

[inadmissible]

The church that is conducting the activities - presumably the US church

It's not enough for you to bring the letter (which the consular officer may not even look at). You have to be able to explain to the consular officer the activities you plan to engage in that justify the B visa. You have to be both succinct yet specific at the same time

[remuz102689]

The church that is conducting the activities - presumably the US church

It's not enough for you to bring the letter (which the consular officer may not even look at). You have to be able to explain to the consular officer the activities you plan to engage in that justify the B visa. You have to be both succinct yet specific at the same time

Will it be safe to tell the consul that it is for a 5 month enrichment program that involves faith-based leadership development? or should I tell them that it is for a training? which one is better? Thanks.

[inadmissible]

You should contact the church providing this leadership course and ask them what other developing country visa applicants have said in order to obtain a B visa. Review the section of the manual consular officers train with in the issuance of B visas https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040202.html

You'll notice that training is not one of the "standard pigeonholes" for B-1 visa issuance, although it is possible to be issued a "B-1 in lieu of H visa". See the H-3 requirements in section 9FAM402.2-5(F)(4). The consular officer is not permitted to make a positive issuance decision on his own, and will need to obtain an Advisory Opinion on the matter

There is a standard pigeonhole for seminar/conference/convention attendees, but it 5 months is quite a stretch 9FAM402.2-5(B)(5)

There an "incidental employment" provision for voluntary missionary work 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(1)

As an applicant for a B visa, you have a lot stacked against you: young, not tied down, a national of a country perceived to have high overstay rates (although this perception is not justified by the data https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/fi...y%20Report.pdf page19). Don't put the burden on the consular officer to struggle finding a way to justify granting you a visa. Study the manual, and give them all the information they need to easily come to a positive conclusion

[remuz102689]

You should contact the church providing this leadership course and ask them what other developing country visa applicants have said in order to obtain a B visa. Review the section of the manual consular officers train with in the issuance of B visas https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040202.html

You'll notice that training is not one of the "standard pigeonholes" for B-1 visa issuance, although it is possible to be issued a "B-1 in lieu of H visa". See the H-3 requirements in section 9FAM402.2-5(F)(4). The consular officer is not permitted to make a positive issuance decision on his own, and will need to obtain an Advisory Opinion on the matter

There is a standard pigeonhole for seminar/conference/convention attendees, but it 5 months is quite a stretch 9FAM402.2-5(B)(5)

There an "incidental employment" provision for voluntary missionary work 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(1)

As an applicant for a B visa, you have a lot stacked against you: young, not tied down, a national of a country perceived to have high overstay rates (although this perception is not justified by the data https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/fi...y%20Report.pdf page19). Don't put the burden on the consular officer to struggle finding a way to justify granting you a visa. Study the manual, and give them all the information they need to easily come to a positive conclusion

My visa was denied for the 2nd time. I was informed by the consul that it should have been filed under R-Visa or Religious Visa. Here's how the interview went.

Consul: Hi
Me: Hello

Consul: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I was invited as an international guest to participate in a spiritual enrichment program by one of the largest church in NJ which includes faith-based leadership development.

Consul: It's quite a long- trip how can you go on leave from your employer?
Me: I was work as a Pastoral staff in our church and they were the ones sending me to the US.

Consul: What are you going to do there for 5 months?
Me: There will be a spiritual training and classes which is less then 15 hours per week and there will be faith-based conferences as well. I will also participate in many aspects of FFMWOC and observe how a mega church organize activities so we can apply it in our local church here.

Consul: US immigration law is very strict this should should have been filed under R-Visa. (Then handed me the blue slip)
Me: Oh, okay, thank you.

Can you provide a feedback about this? My colleague who applied last year for the same travel purpose was approved for B1/B2 visa. I don't know what went wrong here.

[remuz102689]

You should contact the church providing this leadership course and ask them what other developing country visa applicants have said in order to obtain a B visa. Review the section of the manual consular officers train with in the issuance of B visas https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040202.html

You'll notice that training is not one of the "standard pigeonholes" for B-1 visa issuance, although it is possible to be issued a "B-1 in lieu of H visa". See the H-3 requirements in section 9FAM402.2-5(F)(4). The consular officer is not permitted to make a positive issuance decision on his own, and will need to obtain an Advisory Opinion on the matter

There is a standard pigeonhole for seminar/conference/convention attendees, but it 5 months is quite a stretch 9FAM402.2-5(B)(5)

There an "incidental employment" provision for voluntary missionary work 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(1)

As an applicant for a B visa, you have a lot stacked against you: young, not tied down, a national of a country perceived to have high overstay rates (although this perception is not justified by the data https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/fi...y%20Report.pdf page19). Don't put the burden on the consular officer to struggle finding a way to justify granting you a visa. Study the manual, and give them all the information they need to easily come to a positive conclusion

Also, do you think it would be worth it to re-apply next week and explain that a B visa is enough for this 5 month trip? My colleague was able to travel last year for the same purpose using a B visa. He was even granted a 10 year entry.

[remuz102689]

Also, do you think it would be worth it to re-apply next week and explain that a B visa is enough for this 5 month trip? My colleague was able to travel last year for the same purpose using a B visa. He was even granted a 10 year entry.

Help anyone please?