A complicated query: rejections in 1989-91

[ABN397]

This is not a routine query. Please go through it carefully and help if you can.

I know the basic things about visa applications. Now here is the "past history":

In 1989 I had secured admission for masters at a major US university. I went for the F-1 visa interview at the Madras consulate. First time it was rejected because of inadequate documents for funding. After a few days I got better documents and reapplied. This time I got the visa.

I went to the US, got my MS and did practical training for a while. Then I shifted to Canada for PhD in 1991. After a while I applied for a B-2 to visit US as a tourist, essentially to meet my friends and distant relatives. First time it was rejected as I had left the US a few months ago, and the VO at Vancouver thought I had less ties to Canada.

After about a year in Canada I applied again at the same consulate. I got B-1/B-2 visa twice in 1992 and 1993 and briefly visited the US. I returned to India in 1994. I have been working in India ever since, and have made some short trips to UK and other countries but not to US. I do have a "right of abode" (similar to green card) for UK in my Indian passport, and am eligible for a UK passport since I was born there.

QUERY: I plan to go to the US on a short pleasure trip in 2008 or 09 on B-2. Will show my own funds so that my friends and distant relatives are not asked to show their support.Would the past rejections dating back to 1989-91 be likely to cause problems? Would they even be on file?

I said this was complicated :-)
Thanks in advance.

[PraetorianXI]

Whether the rejections are on file or not is uncertain. But having had approved visas, will certainly be a good thing (do you still have visa stamps?).

I think you have good chances of obtaining the visa. But for "pleasure and tourism" you need a B-2 visa.

[peace]

Abn397

I do not think it is complicated. Officers will assess the app on the merit of your current situation rather that years old denials.And if they are on file or not , is immaterial because on the application form, you will have to mention previous denials, approvals and US visits. And I strongly advise not to lie. You yourself have succeeding in getting visas after denials , so why are you worried.

Self financing is a plus factor.
Most important factor is showing a stable occupation in India with good income.

As you probably know, another option is getting a UK passport and
visiting US on a visa waiver ( no visa required).

[ABN397]

Thanks

Thanks for the prompt replies.
I did think about travelling on an UK passport (strictly speaking India does not allow you to hold another passort, but I know that some people have held both Indian and US or UK passports) But even if you travel on the Visa Waiver Program, there is a question which asks "Have you ever been denied a visa" and if you answer yes there will be a problem. If you answer no, then you have to pray that the events of 1989-91 are not stored.
As this is also a risk, it seems to be better to go through the interview in India with an Indian passport.

[knowledgeable]

India ...

... does not allow it's citizens to carry any other passport or obtain any other country's citizenship.

Nope, I didn't go through the entire post but read the top lines only.

India specifically does not allow a total dual citizenship. The alternative is OCI or Overseas Citizenship of India.

Just because you may not have surrendered or had got cancelled your Indian passport once you took another country's citizenship, does not mean you can use it for any purpose whatsoever.

In that case, you're liable for persecution not only by the Indian government but also by your own country as India has this pact with most countries.

Take care.

[susie16]

help

Pardon me Sir.,my schedule for US tourist visa interview will be nextweek in
US Embassy Manila, Phils...i've been reading and takings notes some my informative inputs i got from this immihelp.com forum.
i just like to inquire what website i'm gonna open, this time it's PhilippineVersion again?..pls help...
thanks a lot Sir..

[PraetorianXI]

Pardon me Sir.,my schedule for US tourist visa interview will be nextweek in
US Embassy Manila, Phils...i've been reading and takings notes some my informative inputs i got from this immihelp.com forum.
i just like to inquire what website i'm gonna open, this time it's PhilippineVersion again?..pls help...
thanks a lot Sir..

Please do not post your questions that are unrelated to the original post. Start a new thread for such things.