B 2 Application rejected twice--Please share your thoughts

[sonya]

Hi folks,
I (US citizen) am hoping for some insights into how my friend can show stronger ties to home country.

He appeared on May 2 for his first interview with all the necessary documents that appear on the Sponsor Doc section. I had the notarized affidavit of support, invitation letter, itenerary, pay check stubs (over USD 80,000), taxes and w2s, bank statements showing $30,000 plus assets (home+cars+personal property).

From my friend's side, he had his introduction letter (why he wants to visit), his affidavit (which may have been red flag because he reported annual income of 100,000), his business information-who is his client is and one from from whom he is customer of, bank statement showing 655,000 balance. He also showed business registration (2005), income tax clearance etc. He is 31 years old, married, with a child, (showed both marriage and child's birth certificate).

The consular asked him general questions, and in the end said good going but you need some more experience (presumably business), and why not try some other countries.

He was very disheartened and we decided that we should try again. He appeared again today and was rejected. This time, in addition to prior documents, he had his business audit, affidavit from father, and his letter showing that he had a lot of reasons to return to home country. The summary of reasons as follows: has wife and child, old parents and mentally illl older brother for whom he is the sole caretaker for. his business provides food for his family but also provides income to elders of his community. he has social responsibility- active leader in civic/social group and loves being his own boss. he wouldn't trade his life in home country for being illegal.
We also prepared with him his truthful answers but still was denied under 214 B.

My friend asked the consular what is lacking in documents or otherwise. The consular responded that he just doesn't think that my friend will return after visit.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW? I really want my friend to visit me and see how America is and how we are doing here. Is the income/assets for my friend too little? How much should he have for self sponsor? Please, please offer your thoughts!!

Thanks.

[DENTEYE]

Documents arent everything

Both denials dont appear due to lack of documentation. The first denial looks like- business-not a reason enough to travel at that moment-(Experience) of which they might have made a note of. The short gap between the 2 interviews has only made things easy for VO to give a 214b -esp as the reason for the previous denial(lack of exp) cant be overcome- in days! The 2nd intrw lead them to think of different intent than the 1st.
Had your friend been patient enough to really get what they were looking for since the VO officer clearly mentioned experience- he might have stood a better chance next interview given a good gap.This is only an inference and other forum members must be able to guide you constructively.

[sonya]

Thanks...

Thanks Denteye. I realize now that we may have been better off had we waited. Hindsight is always 20/20.

But we really thought that we could overcome the experience factor from the 1st denial. I mean, his family had been in the business for 20+ years but it was just that the papers he took were for the business solely under his name and registered in 2005. So, the consular thought that 3 years is not much of experience while in fact he was working in some manner ever since he was 18.

For the 2nd interview, the consular did not ask him about the experience.

Anyhow, please forum members, what do you recommend we do now? Wait--if so, for how long? Clearly, it is not the experience/documents that is lacking. Perhaps it may be the interview that we need to practice so that my friend can show (confidence/stature) that he has no immigrant intent.

Should he travel to another country? Will that help? PS- his trip to US would have been purely a vacation.

[sonya]

hello....

I wanted to clarify that the business documents were presented to show that he is self employed and because he runs his own company, he has to return home after visit to take care of it.

Can anyone tell us how to overcome 214b given the above? How long should we wait before we try again?

thanks.