Tourist Visas to the U.S.

[GrizGator]

Hi GUys:

This message goes out to anyone who is married to (or was married to) a Colombiana and has had relatives from Colombia visit you in the U.S.

I consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable about the K-Visa process and have advised many gringos on the process and the interview. However, I know very little about the tourist visa (other than why the U.S. turns down so many applications from Colombia).

My wife and her two brothers had an interview for a tourist visa today and were denied. I was somewhat surprised by this. I fully expected her mother and minor brother to get the visa (I expected her older brother to be denied). From my understanding, the CO wants to ensure that the visa applicant is likely to return to COlombia after expiration of the visa.

Here's the skinny on the facts...my wife's mom is a property owner in Colombia. She owns her apartment and the apartment and store-front below. She has a pension. She works part-time. She also owns a finca in another town. She has money in the bank. She has a lot of family in Bogota. Her older son is college educated and is employed, although he lives at home and has no real assets. The younger son is a minor and is currently in private military school. I even wrote a letter of invitation for them.

Basically, the CO interviewing my mother-in-law asked few questions. She asked her why she wanted to go to the U.S. The answer was to visit her daughter who was married to an American. She asked if her sons would go with her and she said yes. Unfortunately, the CO never asked her for ANY evidence (and she had brought quite a bit, including bank statements, titles to assets, etc.). Because of that (and because my mother-in-law is not very aggressive), my letter was never read by the CO. The CO reportedly spoke to another person behind the window and then denied the visa.

Any advice on anything we could do differently or better next time to get the tourist visa? I know that sometimes it's luck of the draw....as my mother-in-law said that another CO seemed to be approving a lot of folks while her CO was approving very few.

Maybe my mother-in-law needs to be more aggressive and ensure that they read my letter. I also think that the boys had a negative impact....and that maybe she would have gotten the visa if she was alone.

Any ideas? I have some other friends in Colombia who regularly travel to the U.S. to see their daughters, both of which are married to gringos. Granted, he is a lawyer and probably is a little better off than my mother-in-law, but I don't think the difference is that significant.

I know she won't be able to apply again for another year, but I want to start building her case (if that's possible) so she'll get a tourist visa next time. My mother-in-law is heart-broken, as is my wife....who expected her family here for Christmas.

Thanks in advance,

Griz

[Miraflores Apt]

I am sitting in Miami airport with my (Peruvian wife). We are returning to Lima as I write. She was turned down for her tourist visa 5 years ago when we first meet. She recently received a 10 year ME and we just completed our first trip together to the USA.

In your Suegra's case she should apply alone and travel alone,should she receive it. Leaving close family behind can be construed as her planning to go back. As far as a letter is concerned I doubt they would ever read it.

When you have children together (if you do) the US may grant her the tourist visa to help with the pregnancy or after care.
Suerte,
LB

[Jay_D]

Miraflores, congrats on your visa success...can you tell me what is a 10 year ME and a little about the process...thanks...hope you had an uneventful flight!

[STM]

Too bad Griz, that sucks.
A local I know, said the visa office is full of ass hole punks, who are all Colombians anyway.

Any visa I need for someone, I am going to be there in preson with them, I am not 100% it they let you in with her though.

There are so so many Colombians in the US these days, direct daily flights Wash DC (our nation's capital !!!) to Bogota on Avianca, that just shows how far the Colombians have infiltrated the US.

[Miraflores Apt]

Originally Posted by Jay_D

Miraflores, congrats on your visa success...can you tell me what is a 10 year ME and a little about the process...thanks...hope you had an uneventful flight!

A 10 year ME (multiple entry) visa allows a person to travel to the USA anytime they desire (maximum 6 mos.stay) over 10 years. This is the most valued visa and once used (successfully) opens doors to the EU as well.

The process is the same (I believe) at every LA consulate. You pay a fee about $10.00 (at bank) which entitles you to call for an appointment. You will be given a date for the interview and have 24 hours to deposit $130.00 at same bank and then you go to the website and fill out the form. Bring that form and supporting documentation to the interview (no gringos allowed!)as STM alludes too.

The interview is short ( if they wish to bounce you) and 1 hour or so if they plan to give it to you. They will know if you lie and are not real interested in documentation (usually counterfeit). They will answer the same questions over and over, just presented differently to see if you are lying!

We had a great trip to Miami, but are both happy to be home in Lima!

[Jay_D]

Thanks for the info...did your wife apply for a regular tourist visa first?

[GrizGator]

Yep, if they are going to turn you down....they do it very quickly....and without looking at one shred of documentation. At any rate, my mother-in-law is trying again. She is getting her appointment this week. This time she is applying to travel alone, without the two "boys." Hope it works out for her better this time - my wife is really counting on it.

Griz

[Tim413]

Sorry to hear the news Griz.

We just had a baby boy and everyone keeps asking my wife when her mother will come to see the little guy. I always let my wife answer the question, but it must be hard for her to know that most likely her mother will never be able to come to the US.

My wife told me that out of all the 2000 people who go for an interview in Bogota each day only 60 people get a visa. I don't know how true this is, but I know that many people looking for a visa get turned down.

For me this is confusing since I many people I know here in the US have friends from Colombia come visit and their friends have a visa. I don't know how these people get visas.

Keep us posted Griz.

Tim
_____________________
http://bloggingwithjesus.com/

[Cubafro]

Originally Posted by Tim413

We just had a baby boy and everyone keeps asking my wife when her mother will come to see the little guy._____________________
http://bloggingwithjesus.com/

Tim CONGRATS buddy that's a very good news for your family ..How does it feel beside the fact that the visa for mom-in law is not easy to get, but to be a father , maybe again ..Love to hear those good news


BTW griz I hope this time they won't turn her down because she presented herself with the kids first time and now alone..I know for some immigrations assholes they will say that could be too insistent and just for that could turn it down...Just hope that won't be the case ..


CUBA

[GrizGator]

We talked to my mother-in-law last night and apparently things have changed in the process. First of all, there's now quite a wait for an appointment for a tourist visa. My mother-in-law called yesterday (August 14) and her appointment in not until early November! That's right, NOVEMBER....which really suck because she was hoping to be here for Christmas (going to cost her for a plane ticket and really puts all of our plans on hold until we know whether she's approved). Further, they informed her that there is a new procedure. Apparently, you are now required to submit your form and all of the supporting documents the day before your "interview." Then you show up for your interview, perhaps get asked some follow-up questions, and then get told whether you are approved. I actually like this because, at least on the surface, it appears that the embassy has interest in reviewing an application and the supporting evidence....as opposed to last time when they did not look at anything other that my mother-in-laws application. We'll see what happens. Just too bad that the waiting period has grown so long.

Griz