Help on Visitor Visa for my Father

[tilakkumarv]

Hi,

My father was rejected a visitor visa a month ago. No specific reason was given except that it was mentioned that the visa is rejected under 214(b) (Possible Immigrant). No Documents were reviewed. The officer just asked 4 questions.

Since I'm the only son we knew that it may play on the mind of the visa officer. We had taken very good documentation but the officer did not even look at the documents. As soon as he got to know about the family condition he sent him back.

1. We are planning to apply again now. Is there anything that we need to do differently than earlier ?

2. Will it help if my father says that he is sponsoring his own visa financially ?

Thanks in Advance,
Tilak.

[peace]

Yes, you will have to do it differently to succeed.
And you will have to provide some info here for advice;

What 4 qs were asked and what answers were given?

'What is your visa status in US?
What is your annual income in US?
What is your dad's income in INdia?
What does he do?
What about your mother?

[tilakkumarv]

The 4 questions that were asked are -

1. What was my father doing ?
My father replied that he is working in such and such a company etc..

2. What am I (son) ?
My father replied that he is working in such and such a company in US
etc..

3. What is my sister doing ?
My father replied that she is a housewife.

4. What is my mother doing ?
My father replied that she passed away few years back.

As soon as he answered the last question the visa officer just gave a weird look on his face ..took the documents from my father he glanced at them in less than 10 secs and said sorry.

As far as the questions you have asked -

I'm on a H1 in US. Income is decent enough. I dont think that should be a problem. My father is still working in India and my mother passed away few years back.

We had taken all the documents we could think of including employment letter from his company, leave letter from his company all the sponsor documents (myself) etc.

We've scheduled the interview again next month.

Please advise what different we should do now ?

Will it help if he self sponsers himself ?

I'm committed to keep trying untill they gave a visa to my father !!

[peace]

The major reason is that he is a widower. And widower's like widows have a hard time. No spouse increases the likelihood in VO's mind that he won't return. Also, it is all hit and trial , not a very rational system of decision making on the part of visa officers, so you can keep trying.

Yes, it would help if he spent his own money , but for that he needs to have a very good income.(8-10 lacs/yr). To determine self sponsorship, they may only ask one question; what is your income and not look at any deposits etc.

He can get a strong letter from his employer in India with statements like how valuable and dedicated he is to the company and how some projects are entirely dependent on him and show it to the officer as soon as the interview opens.

[tilakkumarv]

Thank you very much for the reply.

My fathers income is not that high. Hence I've decided not to take the self sponser route. We will do everything that we can.

I really appreciate your response.

What is dis-heartening to me is it such a big deal to even get your parents ?

I myself am on a work visa which is for a limited time. I dont understand how can my father become a permanent immigrant here.

I know they have their own rules and regulations and we have to respect them but are we so helpless ? The worst thing is when the visa officer rejects the visa he will not give any further advice or what we should do to get the visa approved or if we are lacking something etc and we end up guessing why the visa was rejected. What should I do if they reject the visa again ?

Is there any way I can explain my case or bring it to the consideration of the US consulate ? Can I appeal to any department in US or in india ?

Thanks,
Tilak.

[tilakkumarv]

Thanks for your reply.

My father will be going to the consulate again next week.

Since it is within 3 months from the first interview can we reuse some of the documents that we used in the first attempt like the affidavit regarding the property notarized by the notary, employment letter of my father etc.

Thanks once again,

Tilak.

[Saisuman007]

Yes.