Consular officers have developed detailed knowledge about your home country and its culture and use that information to dictate whether or not an applicant will respect a U.S. visa. If you are applying for an F-1 Student visa, B1/B2 Tourist Visa, an H-1B work visa or any other nonimmigrant visa type you must note that the U.S. Consulate has the authority to approve or deny your visa application. Despite the fact of your eligibility for a visa; having made your plans, been accepted by a school program, gotten a job offer or whatever the purpose of your intended travel, the decision by the U.S. Consulate is a subjective one and it can be influenced by the country you are coming from.
U.S. Consulates are Alert on Visa Abuse Trends
In many cases of visa denials, the U.S. embassy might have noticed a trend, such as high numbers of people from a specific country entering the U.S. as tourists or other nonimmigrant visas who never returned or misuse of the tourist visa to seek temporary employment. The U.S. embassy may also have information that there is an economic decline in the country or that there is recent political unrest. In such instances, a thorough review will be given to nonimmigrant visa applicants, specifically first-timers and those applying outside of their home country.
Throughout the years the consular officers have developed specific knowledge about a country and its culture and use that to determine whether an applicant will be respectful of the terms and conditions of a U.S. visa.
For instance, in particular countries, farmers might not be able to show a large balance at the bank, but the U.S. consular officer knows from experience that in that particular culture, farmers generally make a good living and return to their home country after their visit with relatives in the U.S. In other countries, farmers might be facing new government regulations that significantly decrease their wages and this makes it harder for those farmers to obtain a U.S. visa.
U.S. Government Keeps Record of U.S Visa Abuse
The U.S. government works hard to develop tracking systems to monitor those who enter the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas and leave the country in a timely manner; it also constantly keeps an eye on the overall numbers that obtain visas. For example, a high percentage of individuals from a specific country are arrested in the U.S., or file applications to adjust status (to obtain lawful permanent resident status), after entering with a tourist visa, you can be certain that such information will be transferred back to the embassies that approved the visas.
How to Defeat Consular Suspicions During a Visa Interview
If a foreign national is applying for a U.S tourist visa in a country that has high rates of unemployment, a low minimum wage, and increased rates of visa overstays, the consular officer will want to see that that person has a steady employment history in his or her country, a salary, and savings that show sufficient funds for leisure travel and strong social ties to one’s home country. The farther you are along in life the more likely you will be able to substantiate your claims of the supporting documents you provide.
Take note that consular agents have access to information pertaining to prior U.S. travel records, immigration and criminal records and can verify the validity of each supporting document that is being submitted. The consulate officers even have records of a previous visa application.
Ultimately, U.S consular officers are looking for consistency and honesty. Even if an applicant may have a good financial stance, if a consul discovers discrepancies between a prior application and the current one, or knows that the applicant is not being honest about the length of trips to the U.S. in the past, the visa application will be denied.
Get the Help You Need from an Immigration Attorney
Applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa from a foreign country that is going through tough times may not garner the results you may be looking for. Why not talk to an immigration attorney who knows the U.S. immigration laws extremely well? Call Gambacorta Law Office at 847 908 4913 for advice and guidance.