Us Visa Declined

[alyx]

Hey

A couple of Thai friends (married, two kids over 18)running a small restaurant (good turnover though) have been invited to visit the US by one of their Thai acquaintances (Thai woman (US citizenship) married to a US National)

That woman in the US applied online for them, sent all relevant documents to the Embassy in Bangkok

The couple were interviewed and their application was rejected with the possibility of applying again; the reason for being turned down because more documents are required (but nothing specific) as well as "the relatioship betwwen the applicants and their Us based friend)

I should add that they have been truthfull although I might not have answered the same way

How long do you plan to stay? 2 or 3 months

You bankbook shows 400.000 on a given date and .1.000.000 the next day, Why? I have sold some of the gold I own in order to pay for our stay in the US

I am aware that this not much to go on but I need to know what should be done in order to come up with the right papers, to whow I should send a query (as these people do not speak English at all) and where it went wrong as they have a business here (they would have closed it for the period)

I am a complete ignorant in the matter

Thanks for questions and help

[Shot]

The online application is rather lengthy, and asks several questions about family. Did the person filling out the application have all the information? Father and mothers birth names, birth place, etc. Was the online application filled out in full?

Other documents could be a business license from their restaurant, or documentation of some sort, showing they own and run a restaurant.

If they own any land, have them take those documents as well.

They have to prove their ties to Thailand, in order to convince the embassy they will return.

I don’t think having a spike in the bank account for selling gold is a big deal. The more important thing is that they were honest.

　

　

[alyx]

Thanks

As a matter of fact they were pretty straightforward during the interview. They did present all the documents they were asked online together with the registration of their business ( not a company though) a slip of their taxes ( but the small one with just the name and the amount)

As for the document regarding their house I think that they did not present it: the thing is that they are building it and I think that this was not brought up in the discussion ( I will ask them)

One thing has been bothering me since yesterday: the documents they were given back by the Embassy, upon refusal, were all in Thai: aren't they supposed to have every document translated to English ( as this is the case for other countries?)

Also, the Embassy has kept most of the papers provided by the applicants...does this mean that they will not have to produce them again or do they have to start the whole process over again?

Thanks for trying to help with so little information

Edited March 29, 2012 by alyx

[Shot]

Thanks

As a matter of fact they were pretty straightforward during the interview. They did present all the documents they were asked online together with the registration of their business ( not a company though) a slip of their taxes ( but the small one with just the name and the amount)

As for the document regarding their house I think that they did not present it: the thing is that they are building it and I think that this was not brought up in the discussion ( I will ask them)

One thing has been bothering me since yesterday: the documents they were given back by the Embassy, upon refusal, were all in Thai: aren't they supposed to have every document translated to English ( as this is the case for other countries?)

Also, the Embassy has kept most of the papers provided by the applicants...does this mean that they will not have to produce them again or do they have to start the whole process over again?

Thanks for trying to help with so little information

A slip for the taxes should be sufficient.

If their house is being built, have them supply any information about that. Perhaps a contract with the builder. But, most important are the documents showing they own property.

Many countries do ask for documents to be translated. The US is not one of them (I’m pretty sure about that). All the documents I supplied were in Thai, and we had no problems. The interviewer spoke, read, and wrote English and Thai perfectly.

Not sure about why they kept some of the papers. Were the papers they kept a copy of the application? When they re-apply, the online application will ask, if they have applied before. I don’t know what they ask for beyond that point. So, I don’t know if they have to produce everything again, or if the Embassy keeps it.

[alyx]

Thanks

They are building a house but it is for, and in, the name of their son. I told them to bring the papers anyway. They also own a small condo in the husband's name. They plan to reapply next week once they have gathered all the documents but I am trying to tell them not to expect too much

[thaihome]

It sound like the interviewer may have suspected the couple intended to stay in the US possibly to work illegally and the US based friend was helping and may have actually have intended to employ them.

How one would get past that perception I’m not sure as it depends on the details of your friends. Try looking at from that perspective and see what you can do to show unequivocally that they intend to return and are not looking to stay and work.

TH

Edited March 31, 2012 by thaihome

[alyx]

Yes, it is what I suspect but how can one prove that? They can only be as honest as they can....hope it will turn up ok for them

[taxout]

I think the restaurant's a sore point.

Are they closing it for two or three months while they're away? If so, that cuts some of the ties that would bring them back to Thailand.

Further, folks in the restaurant business would have little trouble finding under-the-table work in the US, so their line of work is a red flag.

I suspect they'd have much less trouble if they planned a short, two-week vacaction in the US, instead.

Edited April 8, 2012 by taxout

[lopburi3]

Obviously a 2-3 month vacation answer would be a huge red flag on any application from a working person. Without strong supporting evidence that closing restaurant is temporary and financially viable they are also indicating no plans to return.

[bangkokburning]

Visiting acquaintances is just not enough oooomph

No itinerary, visiting in US to do what? Visit the acquaintance for three mos?

Who will pay for these poor peoples stay and are they beholden?

Bringing whole family so nothing to lose if they do not return

Rented restaurant is no substantial means

Looks to me like they will engage in work - just sayin'

Sorry.