Korean Job Discussion Forums

[qwunk89]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with this? I just came back from my wife's visa appointment and her visa was denied on the grounds of "You have not been able to demonstrate sufficiently strong family, social or economic ties to a country outside the US that would compel you to leave the United States after a temporary stay."

My wife is Thai (which I know is a factor), but we have been married for about a year, are a respectable couple and have been living in Korea since February. We just want to go to the US for two weeks in Feb for my sister's wedding. I had all the paperwork and more, including my current contract and contract for next year (March start), flight schedule and wedding invitation.

However, the interviewer didn't really care about the additional supporting documents. Once he found out my wife wasn't working or studying in Korea (working would be illegal on her visa), he basically denied the application. He kept telling me to "Try getting it in Thailand" and after I explained the situation "I can't control your travel plans".

Out of the seven interviewers, we got the one rude, cranky guy (who I was hoping we didn't get while waiting in line); the other six were upbeat and nice. Should we try again? Some people have said it depends on the interviewer. Any similar experiences? Advice?

Thanks.

[Lazio]

I'm sorry to hear your troubles getting a visa.

I've applied for a US. tourist visa 3 times. First time I got a refusal with the same reason "lack of .... ties to my home country etc". Second time, a year later I got a 3 months visa and 2 years later I got a 10 years visa which is still valid.

Yes, there is a good chance you end up in front of an @ss..le. As far as I know there is an unwritten rule that you should wait a year with a new application after the refusal otherwise most likely it will be denied again. Unless those ties have gotten stronger (ie. well paying job, children to leave behind, proof about assets etc.)
If there is a refused application in the past, the chances of getting a visa are even slimmer. No doubt they will ask about the previous try and how circumstances changed since than.

I have close relatives living in the US and the second time I applied I had an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) from them. It's not exactly designed for tourist visas but I'm certain that it helped a lot.

[koreatimes]

[northway]

[nate1983]

[northway]

The same situation happened with my buddy and his wife. He had $250,000 in the bank, she owned a business, they applied in Thailand and were still denied. Eventually he bit the bullet, sucked it up, and spent the money on the marriage visa.

[qwunk89]

Thanks for the replies and info. Yes, I am American. Basically, the interviewer was saying that my wife doesn't have any ties to Korea to ensure she will return; apparently, a husband does not qualify. The part I find ridiculous, is that the interviewer didn't even bother to assess our situation; he really just saw my wife was Thai and wasn't working or studying in Korea and that was it, denied. He wouldn't even let me tell him about the wedding or show him I had already signed a contract for next year. He seemed to emphasize we had only been married about a year as well.

Even if we did go to Thailand, I doubt we could show anything different since we currently live in Korea. Besides, it is not possible with my current job.

I have a feeling some of the other interviewers would have approved us after assessing our situation, but we were unlucky and got "that guy". Also, as Lazio pointed out, I guess we can't even try again until next year.

[ttompatz]

YOu can re-apply but your chances are not good (other than the chance to throw another visa application fee away).

Your problem is twofold.

1) they want to make sure you are not trying to backdoor her into the states instead of getting the spousal visa.

2) the lack of ties here for HER to leave the states rather than remain behind and become an illegal or try to circumvent visa rules as the spouse of an American.

Your options at this point are slim.

A spousal visa will take about a year (or more).

The chances of a 2nd tourist visa application being refused in the meantime are very high unless you can find someway to demonstrate HER willingness to NOT remain in the states.

You can attend the wedding by yourself, offer greeting on behalf of your wife and complain loudly to anyone who will listen about the unfairness of the USCIS and or consular section of the embassy.

You can complain to your ambassador, congressman and/or senator (squeaky wheels do get grease). The more public you make it the better.

.

[qwunk89]

Thanks ttompatz,

I had basically come to the same conclusion. No need to respond to my PM. I did just talk with a hometown friend who is in a similar situation and is getting help from the local congressman, and he gave me the inside contact info. So, maybe I'll explore it. Still kind of bummed, but what can we do.

[koreatimes]

[northway]

[koreatimes]

[northway]

[koreatimes]

[Colorado]

My wife is also Thai. We got her first tourist visa in Thailand with the help of my congressman. Her second and third tourist visas were acquired in Korea using my contract as her reason to return to Korea.