Mandy Feuerbacher, former Visa Officer and U.S. immigration attorney shares why a Visa Officer would deny a visa after 2 questions, and what you can do about it.
The consul's decision-making process is shrouded in uncertainty, with no clear guidelines or criteria for evaluation. While some individuals invest considerable effort in presenting a comprehensive picture, the consul may dismiss their efforts as superfluous. In contrast, others may adopt a more concise approach, only to find that it fails to satisfy the consul's expectations. The path forward is unclear, and it is difficult to determine the most effective strategy, whether it is to provide a brief answer or to elaborate at length.
So basically, it depends on the mood of the officer on that day. So sad, really... People who prepared so long and struggled to get that visa really badly but got denied-it's not fair, really...
The outcome of the consul's decision still relies heavily on their personal preferences and mood, rather than adhering to a strict set of guidelines. While some individuals invest considerable effort in presenting a comprehensive picture, the consul may dismiss their efforts as superfluous. In contrast, others may adopt a more concise approach, only to find that it fails to satisfy the consul's expectations. The path forward is unclear, and it is difficult to determine the most effective strategy, whether it is to provide a brief answer or to elaborate at length.
Their so called "sixth sense" has cost so many people their entire careers and has also made careers of many underserving people. Do they just forget or ignore that a visa interview is not supposed to be like a job interview? Every person is different. Some are more confident while others aren't. Some can have mental issues like ADHD, OCD, etc. Why do they ignore this simple fact? If they have to interview hundreds in a day then why not just add more officers instead of denying people who spent a big chunk of their hard earned money and time on the visa process and planned their careers around it or whatever. There is no excuse. It's just pathetic.
They're to blame for the border crisis that's been going on for months now. I do not blame those immigrants at at. You cannot just look at ppl and decide that u do not like the way they look so ur gonna deny them a visa.
This is unprofessional and on called for.. indeed they have no idea of stress they put people through waste of years waiting for a Visa and planning life around that long date they give.. just to fit in and in the end just say no to someone base on what you think..? Please,I have been there and witness an interviewer continuesly saying no to everyone that approach her in less than 2 min. Why do people travel especially when they have never been to a country before to be experienced clearly, curious to see what there.!!!
Very correct.....they should see the number of the so called "genuine" people that abscond when they get to US and know that something is not right with the way they interview people for visa..
It is indeed unfair. Appicants pay a government fee, they travel to the consulate office and pay also for the trip. And visa officer has a 6th sense...
@@ZFvisa yeah, I know. I migrate to work with canadian and Australian visas. The online evaluation gives applicants opportunity to explain all details of the request. Thank you for your efforts.
I agree with you . I know people who Will not come Back and get Easy the Visa and people that trully just want to have a Good vacation in family and has it denied .
They denied my girlfriend to visit the US even though she has her own business, family that lives in the Philippines and she has land that she owns. Yet they told her that she has no strong ties? It's absolutely ridiculous. The whole thing is BS! It's not an interview at all. You're just a number. They only give vague reasons for why you're denied. Doesn't matter what documents you bring because they don't even look at them. Then they charge you now, a hundred eighty dollars per interview even though it's very likely most people that go to the interview don't even come close to the qualifications to travel. It's all about money. Yet people can come across the border illegally all the time, it's not about security or safety, it's just about stupid government that is ineffective and not efficient. It's not right when people go about to enter my country the us legally and are denied yet people can freely come across the border unchecked. It's all broken. $180 is a lot of money to a Filipino.
same here. i have all the documents to support my ties in Ph. bank statements, properties, investments, families, yet didnt even bother to check, 5 questions and i was denied! cost me 185usd, 5 months of waiting and all the preparations, and travel cost only to be denied in 2 mins. im not happy at all. better to visit and spend my money in other countries. its such a waste coz i have pure intention of only visting and i deserve approval but IO didnt give me a chance
its really BS! just a minute or two, thats just how it took them to make a decision. how could you judge a person whether he/she is eligible or not by asking 2 to 5 questions and not checking the supporting docs he/she got? You are right. its not an interview at all and its disappointing. i lost interest now in USA. all the excitement were gone
@@mondoshawan2159You're married and they denied? I thought the problem for the other commenters is the interviewer thinks they are looking for a fake marriage in order to immigrate.
Hello Mandy, my partner is currently applying for J1 trainee visa and everyone he knows (& of the same work experience ) has been denied and so he's worried that he might denied to.. one of the main questions asked was about the work experience? They graduated on July 2020 and they got to only apply for J1 trainee visa now that pandemic is over... please let me know what you think.
Hello Mandy i've been informed that if i have an immigrant process going on (my husband is a citizen and my daughter too) and my case is already completed only waiting for interview appointment, it is very difficult for me to get a B1/B2 visa to have a short vacation with my family. do you have any advise on this?
Hey Mandy. During my interview, i tried answering the questions the consulate officer was asking but she interrupted me without letting me even answer and declared i wasn’t qualified. It’s not fair because 180 dollars might not seem much in the US but in other countries it is.
Thank you for this information. I've lived in Viet Nam for a little over five years and married a VN citizen. We applied & paid for a visa for my wife, then we scheduled the interview. I wasn't allowed to attend the interview and her visa was denied. MY WIFE'S VISA WAS DENIED. The reason, my wife told me, was because she doesn't have enough stamps in her passport, which sounded arbitrary to me. Now we're spending our money visiting other countries so we can pay for another interview and pay for a trip for my wife to meet my family. After the failed interview, I suggested to my wife that we fly to Mexico and walk through the open border, like everybody else. If millions of new immigrants don't need a visa, why should my wife?
I got denied because of my educational background, I took two colleges and the first one is irrelevant to the place I'm going as an intern. They didn't even take a look at my documents, my parents paid thousands of dollars for the program and now it's all wasted because I was denied.
Hi @Mandy, i applied for tourist visa 20 years ago and the stamp on my passport was "application received" may i know what that means? Is that rejected or refused? Coz as i am doing my research rejected is different from refused. Another thing is, my boyfriend who is a US citizen planning to apply for K1 visa by next year. Will my visa application 20 years ago (rejected) will affect the future K1 visa application?
Hi Mandy I hope you're doing well As for me am not doing well 😢, I was denied visa yesterday which am against, because the documents they deny my visa is my WAEC result. I give them my result they said the result is not mine, which the result is mine and I sart the exam by myself. So I want you to help me on this... what to do to my visa approved
Hi ma’am I did my interview on 1st November 2023 and the consular told me to submit one more document and he gave me yellow slip 221 g and my case is issued. After I waited a months I sent them email and they said once immigration national act done with your case we will send you an email immediately so how long it takes immigration national act to respond to the embassy?
Thanks madam I did my interview using some guidance i got it from argo how ever the officer told me that my visa is approved and it will take some time and he will send it in email what does it mean ?
Hi Mandy, I got my H1b case approved and tried to book visa slot in London. I paid the fees but, suddenly the next step it went to "pending conular Authorization" .. I am not able to book my slot for interview. I dint know what to do adn what is this situation caled. Please provide some insight on this..
I was denied a US visa in 2000, I was at film school back then that only 15 people a year were accepted in, but they didn’t cared, I was only traveling for vacations. I have never applied for one again, won’t give them the pleasure to decide wether I can go and spend money on their country.
Hi Mandy Hope your day is going well My 5 years Multiple B1/B2visa was revoked in 2013 while trying to apply for my Wife, after traveling to the US like 2 times with it. I was told by the officer that. I did apply in 2015 and refused as there is a cancellation in 2013. Is it possible to get granted again a US Visa?
Hello mom. how are you doing? I had an interview @ US embassy before 10 days and get denied after a couple of questions. the officer didn't see even my invitation letter and my ties. he also didn't tell me the reason of denial. can i apply for waiver of visa refusal? and how can i know the reason of visa refusal? what reasons may he record on the database of my travel history?
Hi " im from Kenya , went for US Embassy interview 2 days ago, asked few questions like The purpose of travelling , i answered well, where do i work , i answered , who is paying for my trip, i answered, do you hv a travel history , i answered No. given pink paper.
if embassy reschedules an appointment to some earlier time or few moths earlier, than the already scheduled appointment,, so what does it means,, like in august 2022,, after using all rescheduling chances,, i got appointment for july 2023,, but in december 2022,, it got rescheduled by embassy itself for april 2023,, so what does it means, is it any precursor ,, or its just routine filling of empty slots.
my F1 visa got denied today under section 214B. the VO didnt even look at my applications.She only mentioned about the Job i was doing in 2018 i was a fashion designer and i was invited by Unna causes to show case my designs..The visa was denied tho.. i applied again recently as an F1 student, am not doin fashion anymore,i work on TV, i have a child and am married...Am wondering why my visa was denied the VO didnt even bother asking me about my current job or even ties...
I'm with my friend when Applied my tourist Visa I got denied and my friend is Approved ending my friend overstayed in the US. Thats her purposed on applying the visa anyway. while my purposed is just to visit but they chose the wrong person to be approved. Its just so sad.
Good morning. I over stayed in us in 2004.2005 i was granted a visa.but at the air port sfo i was detained for the previous violation. Being barred,i applied after 3 yrs. Barred again for 10 yrs from 2008.can i apply again ?will they reject and bar again.?please help.
Please tell me what should I do. It has been 6 months since my fianca got interviewed for k1 visa. First they asked us to submit more documents we did that. Now they are not responding, when we email them and ask them about the status they keep saying "the concerned team is reviewing this process" Please let me know if you know something that can help me
I am on F1 visa, and I filed for F2 for my wife. VO refused her visa just after questioning her name and marriage date. Idk why they refused her visa, she is my wife. Now I don’t know whther I should apply again or not??
Maybe I got something like this, but not rejected immediately and given a 221g which is still pending for long, after checking few of your videos tried to connect you on your website and still waiting to hear back
Rather than arrive through the Mexico-US border, an applicant makes considerable effort and pays expensive fees and travel only to be denied because some clerk is having a bad day? They should be fired! The US Embassy should demonstrate some dignity and decency and properly represent the American people.
Hi, I was rejected b1 visa recently. The officer didn't asked much questions and didn't look for documents and handed me 214b . If i apply again what are the chances.
My visa got rejected twice in Chennai india , 1st time for fall 22 I switched program and she asked experience, at that my bachelors just completed, 2nd time all H1b and b1,b2 are going in Chennai , I went to interview again my visa got rejected, I went on my bachelors course (mechanical engineering) at that the slots not opened yet for spring 23 , again I’m having a visa interview on 26th June I’m going on same course, whether I need to change university r not plz let me know officer 🙏 , plz give me answer.
my visa appointment date happens to be in December 2023 ,but the graduation i was to attend happened in may 2023 should i still appear for the interview.thank you
Ma'am just a few days ago VO just refuse my F1 visa application after 4 questions and VO didn't see my documents Can you guide what shoud i say or do if a reapply for visa appointments?
Thank you for the video. I just want to say that the Visa application process is awful and very humiliating. 1. You could do it online --> We live in a digital century and you do not have to waste your time, energy and money to attend the embassy. WHen you get there for only 2-3 Minutes go get a "No" - you feel like an idiot and you just hate the World at this point. 2. You pay, but there is no guarantee you will get what you paid for --> paying 175$+ is not a joke and it really feels like you have been scammed after officer finds it weird about how you would like to visit US. 3. Visa Online Application is extremely frustrating --> you literally have to speedrun the application online otherwise you will receive a message "Session timed out" and you have to do it all over again and again until you make it quick. I honestly think about all people and if I were someone who created these regulations: how can elderly people get this done by themselves? They can not. So that is something about caring about people of all ages. 4. Provoking illegal immigration --> I wonder why? If people can not get to country they want to live in officially and enter the US legally - what choice do they have if their families and friends are all in US? Of course you will have this problem. Well, there you go. This is just another example of courruption being unbeatable just because of the profit. Remember that you have to pay first without having a guarantee you will get what you paid for and secondly you have to physically get there when you could do it online for those mere 2-3 minutes. Awful and humiliating. You really feel like an idiot and scammed at the end.
@@ZFvisa Thank you so much for your reply. I just want to make sure you do not feel this personal. In no way it was meant for you all. I know this is also very tough task for officers. Thank you for the video once again. At least we have a platform here we can raise issue on and talk about it thanks to people like you ☘️
I really need to book your appointment as I’m trying there are no dates available before 22 august kindly let me know if it’s possible before 22 august
MY visa was denied twice. I think i am a teacher and I was going to a teacher conference . Maybe they predudged immigirant intent 214 b. What could be done ?
Hi Mandy, love what you are doing. How about the process for Religious Visa? Can you share any information that would be of help for this process? Thanks!
Hi ma’am! Thank you for your very informational videos. I’ll be having my US tourist visa interview on January 2024, and I’m planning to undergo nose threads and it will change my appearance. Will it affect my visa application? My passport photo was taken when I renewed it last 2019. Hope you’ll answer my questions. thank you so much!
Hey Mandy .. what if you separate with spouse but not yet having divorce decree so partner is not available on the day of interview, is it possible to get my visa and my children as well, although spouse was on accompany eb3 visa
Hello Mandy! Great content . I have a quick question that my uncle is sponsoring me for my study in US. I already got my I 20. and going to start my visa process. So, is is really ok that my UNCLE is my sponsor ?
Hello Mandy, thank you for the work you do. I have some worries that I wish you can clarify me. I had to to register for my online application with my old passport which does not meet the 6 months Validity requirement. After my intended duration of stay, I have 5 months 6 days left before it expires. So I decided to make a new passport. So my question is, should I turn up for the interview with the old passport with less than 6 months left to expire since I used it for the online application, or I should go with the new passport for the interview? I will be glad to get your feedback. Thank you.
Hi mandy.thanks I have F1 by change in status in usa . I have acceptance letter from university for master. I got I 20 s and have sponsor as back up. My wife got 2 times rejections. How can we overcome the situation please
Hi Mandy I hv two Sons pursuing Masters one in Canada & other in US canadian son applied for a visit visa as vacations started he mention in application as brother in US for MS & other a relative who is a US citizen his Visa got rejected .why please explain
Hello maam..is it ok to ask question about returning visa immigrant got denied..and now its getting petition by his son for immigrant visa ..my question is the record from returning visa denied..is it in the file system record..thank you
I have BSC degree and I applied for associate program and change of major the visa officer didn’t have much problem with it but her problem was my major I want to study is not in the acceptance letter so I should Re apply again
Hello! I have my visa interview soon, could you tell me that having relatives (US citizens) in US affect your F1 Visa?? I am nervous and thanks for the video! Amazing ❤
It is very concerning to me as a US citizen to know about this horrible problem of not allowing good and honest people to travel to my country. It seems like something I would expect from a dictatorship. I married a man of Indian origin in 2014 and it is now almost ten years later and still we have not had any success to get my brother in law a visa just to travel to visit us. My husband has a big family who all owns property and businesses in India and has plenty of evidence of their ties to India. We are completely isolated from my husband’s family here unless we are to travel to India which costs thousands of dollars each time and puts all of the burden on us. We cannot even invite our family members to our home. So many birthdays, holidays, weddings and funerals have been missed. My family has not been able to build any bond with my husband’s family. We have not had children also due to the lack of family being able to visit. We don’t want to raise children without the possibility of being visited by aunts uncles and cousins. Our family is deeply injured by the current way things are done regarding tourist visas from India to USA.
you cannot blame the US. People from 3rd world countries like india use the US to illegally look for jobs just to better their lives. The US would much rather give those jobs to their citizens then illegal immigrants. Thats just the reality of it. Ask your husband how rampant Indian people flock to the US illegally just to find a better life for themselves.
I don't know, Joanie. I had children overseas and only visited with family every few years. It was hard. Never anyone to babysit or help if I got flu. But I wouldn't give up having a family. That was a greater priority.
@@user-ov4wr5yu4r It is a choice we must all make…It is too difficult for us to have a family under these conditions, we both have demanding careers and it would require a lot of help from family. We both are not willing to have kids only to have them be raised by strangers. My point is that is didn’t have to be this way, there needs to be reform in the way visas are given. The current system doesn’t make sense for American families like mine. And there are many of us suffering over this.
@@eileenwatt8283 I wish we could move to India, unfortunately we earn our living in United States. There are no comparable career options in India. Also, my family lives here and my husband’s family lives in India. United States allows people with European citizenship to visit freely but it’s not the same for Indian citizens. All I am saying is that it is time for an update in the law considering that Indians hold many top positions in top companies in the US and have proven themselves to not be a security threat to the United States. There is no reason I can see why Indian citizens who can prove their income and show a return ticket should not be allowed to visit the United States for 2-3 weeks at a time. I don’t think what I am saying is unreasonable.
Hi Mandy! Thank you so much for all these informative videos. I love all of them! Could you please make a video of why people got questions for a long time (b1b2 visa) yet still received a 214b? Thank you so much.
hey Mandy, My f1 visa interview is one day before my class starts, I ask for expedite date but they denied my request. what are my odds of getting a visa and what should i do?
Mam, I have a question.. My interview date is Knocking at the door.. What should I say or how much should I say if the VO ask me about my sponsor.. Please help me mam...
hello mam , really need your help here , actually i am a indian citizen and i am in canada on visitor visa , and i want to go to US , so while applying , when they ask , ARE YOU TRAVELING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR APPLYING US VISA , YES OR NO ?
Great content Mandy. As a former consular officer, I agree 💯. It can be really frustrating for applicants but given the way the law is written and the onus being on the applicant to convince the officer that they won't be misusing the visa, sometimes a couple questions is all it takes to know that you doubt the person in front of you and don't believe them. Thanks so much for making these videos and helping to demystify the application process.
My boyfriend wanted to come to my graduation ceremony at an Ivy League school, I am an international student on F1 Visa. He was refused and the visa officer didn't give any reason for the same? What can we do?
In my case the first officer messed my record, since then I have been receiving several denials. A genuine case and for work purpose but do they care? with one minute they say sorry sir. I actually do not want to apply but my bosses are Americans they do not know the pain, humiliations going through the interview & stress after the denial. I wish I do not have to visit that embassy but it is not up to me. 😿 I've been to EU Latin America, Asia & several countries in Africa but this visa???
Hi Mandy ☺️, im done w/ my interview and the consular req'd me to get a COC at Singapore as i stayed their for 1 yr in 2010-11 but the letter he gave me is i stayed their for more than 1 yr. 2nd is he wants me to get a QJS coz my husband's income was not enough though NVC approved it. Im just glad that he gave me 2 white pamphlets which is usually given to applicants w/ approved visa. Im still thankful that he did not deny my application right away. If completed the req't, do i have a high chance for him to approve it? Hope u can help me 🙏😊
am the who just denied visa after a couple of questions I thought it was because I haven't been going to any other countries outside of my country coz my case was a visiter but I learn so much so many things ever since..... But I need your consultation for further cases please put your mail on the screen......thank you for your advice.
Help pls! I am applyng for B1/B2, currently my passpport says single, I got married legally this year, my passport expires in 4 years, do I need to update my passport or can I use single status in my visa application and just bring my marriage certificate as proof during my interview? 😢😢
I was rejected because I want to do a second degree primarily because I want to change my career . The visa officer didn't give me the opportunity to present my case and explain my career goals .He immediately dismissed !!!
Hello Mandy, I'm a buisness owne from Pakistan. And i got refused US visa 3 times now. 2 times in 2022 and 1 in back 2011. And I dont get the reason so far.
I applied for the C1D visa and I they told me my contract is fake!! They brought me to an office and said it’s not possible for me to have this job with msc! How can I forge a document and go there?? And in the denial paper they said I didn’t prove that I’ll go back to my country after passing by the us! While she didn’t ask me any question about that!! It’s very unfair
in comparison, chinese visa officers are so kind and cooperative,, i remember my very first interview for china business visa in 2013, with fresh passport,, with same profile i had with me to us embassy yesterday morning the chinese vo asked me about my business, abt my reason to visit china,, and instantly called the inviting person in china,, and issued the visa. after that, i got 4 more visas, with same profile,, without any questions,, just documents !
No body wants to migrate and live in China permanently. It is the opposite for the USA. Chinese Visa Officers have no reason to worry about your true intent for getting the Visa.
@@annsgal2025I have applied for Schengen visa (twice, approved both times) and they were fairly cooperative - at least they'd ask clarifying questions and see our documents.
Is it that they don't give housewives US visa? I went to America last year on a visiting visa and thought it would had been easier to receive a visa after visit but i guess i was wrong . I went on a visa interview this morning and got denied.. i dont know if is because i am not working or what.. And yes i have been married for 20 years with 2 children and the person asked that and who the peraon is to me where i will be staying .. Does it have to be a family member on your application form for place of stay when you are applying for a visa? Is it a problem if you put friend on your application form when applying for your visa?
Hi my sister got visa refused 2 times. She is teacher by profession. She is in 40s and unmarried and does not have any plan to get married in future. She was refused for being single that visa officer was not satisfied that she will come back. She has good travel history 2 schengen visas and travelled lot of shenegen countries. She has also filed petition of immigration on the basis of sibling (filed after 2 times refusals). Do u recommend her to try her luck again and apply for visit visa???? Visa officer mis judged as she does not have any intention to skip on visit visa as she is financially sound and has valuable assets in homeland. Do u recommend to apply for visit visa???
Hi John, I would not recommend that she apply again until she works with an expert like myself. Otherwise it will be the same outcome. She can book with me at www.zfvisa.com. Good luck.
my fiancé has submit ds 160 form but she is not citizen yet in canada thus she doesn't have passport. can she fill out ds 160 without having passport????? please help Reply
Hi, Mandy, my brother was rejected last week for a J1 Visa, he was asked how did I end up in the USA, and he answered “she has a green card” after which he was given the passport back, my status is clean, with no illegal days in the USA, got my GC after marriage. He booked another appointment that’s coming soon, I would appreciate any recommendations from you!
Hi, the same thing happened to me!! I had travel history to the US 2x but got denied recently after they asked me about my sister. Please tell me how it went for your brother or if you got any tips. I can't afford a consult.
My masters is on hold just cuz they keep rejecting my F1 visa and i have to defer my course to the next term like come on we pay embassy fee and sevis fee everytime and for what just to get rejected. I have gotten the f1 visa before then i came back after my program ended idk why theyre being so silly and not giving the visa and playing with people's future
