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Is there really a US tourist visa?
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Posted by: solstice

I started writing to Nataly some time ago then decided to visit her not long back. We hit it off pretty good and continued our contact after I returned. After awhile I decided it might be a good time to invite her over to see our country and secondly to see if our relationship could move on to the next level. We talked this over and agreed that a tourist visa would be the way to go. I knew this type of visa is difficult to get but I thought she had a strong chance of getting one. Nataly has her own small business with about 5 employees, she also owns her flat which she shares with her 19 year old son who’s still in school. Her father died recently but her mother is alive and doing fairly well thanks to the help of Nataly and her brother. I sent along a letter of invitation offering all the financial support and stating politely that since I had the opportunity to see her country I would like to show her ours. I figured we had all our ducks in a row and since it appears the main objective of a tourist visa is proving that the applicant will return to their country I considered the obligations Nataly had would be convincing enough. Nataly paid the cost of the visa application and paid for both 6 hour train rides between Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow. Her interview was scheduled and after finishing up working a 12 hour day she set off to Moscow. Arriving at the embassy she then spent 2 hours waiting, was then searched and fingerprinted and spent a total of less than 2 minutes being interviewed only to be told NYET! They gave her this nasty looking piece of paper saying that according to section 214b her application is denied. This section is very vague and does not point out anything specifically what is needed. There have been a few times when I have been embarrassed to be a part of the US Government and this was one of them. I really felt the need to apologize for what she went through. Needless to say I was upset as well especially when I sit here in Arizona and can look out of the door where I work and see no less than 2 dozen illegal Mexicans lounging on the corner hoping to pick up some work. All this in front of our local police who travel down the street without so much as a casual glance at these “visitors” from across the border. And what steams my biscuits even more is the fact that each year the US passes out 50,000 free visas inviting the citizens of other countries along with their family to come and stay in the US because our government feels they are not equally represented in our population. What is wrong with this picture when a valid individual from another country makes an honest legal effort to visit the US and knows the decision hangs in the balance by some yahoo embassy official who probably got out of the wrong side of the bed that day and spends 2 minutes or less with a person. I'm beginning to believe there really no such thing as a US tourist visa and only a plan by homeland security to get as many people as they can fingerprinted?

God bless America

Posted by: Longfellow

Man, that really sucks! From what you say about her ties to home, I also would have thought she showed the qualities to overcome the assumption that she would try to immigrate on a non-immigration visa. Sometimes one wonders if the beauracracy is designed for the people and not simply to serve more paperwork.

I wish I knew of some recourse, or way of asking for greater details on the denial, freedom of information or what.

Good luck to you both.

Posted by: AkMike

That sucks! Is there any appeal process available to get this set straight? What about another try? Your lady sounded like shoo-in for the visa.
I was hopeing to get a visa for my step son and his bride to come and visit us in a year. They would leave their 2 1/2 yo. son with the inlaws to ensure they did return. Now I have doubts that it'll work.

Posted by: Jerico

Well that does suck but maybe its just Russia or something.
My wife wanted her mother to see us get married and I simply wrote a very quick invitation letter and faxed it from Kinkos to the US embassy in Kirgistan and right away she was approved. She does own quite a few apartments there though i dont know if that factored in the decision.
My wife is there in Kirgizstan now and again is filling out a invite letter for September for her mother which i am sure will be approved again.
Well dont give up there is always a chance!!!!
Jerry

Posted by: mistermopar

Sorry to hear this solstice.I also went through the same thing back in 2000 with the Canadian Embassy in Moscow.My friend traveled 18 hours only to hear that word NO.
I went to my local member of parliment and he wrote me a letter to send to my friend and try again.This time when they opened her passport and seen the stamp from her last visit,they quickly added another no.

I wrote to the imagration minister of Canada and all they said was the Embassy can do as they please.

So I hope you can find a way around all of this crap.

Randy

Posted by: solstice

Thanks for your condolences guys; it looks like I’ll have to head back to Russia if I want to explore any chances of developing a relationship.

Hey Mike, I think it was Texas Proud whose lady was also trying for a tourist visa. She has two kids that would be staying behind while she was visiting, what more affirmation would anyone need that she would return? Her application was still denied and it sounded like she also got the same explanation Nataly received, NONE! And there is no way to appeal, apparently these embassy people have the supreme power when it comes to visa approvals.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Tourist visas are impossible to get. When I was married I also looked into this possibility. She owned 3 pieces of property, had her own business for over 15 years, employeed 4 people, had a very nice bank account, her son was living with her and 19 years old and he was going to college. A lawyer said don't try because you would get it.

Yes tourist visas exist but the wording can be used to disqualify anyone. Go for a business or work visa if possible. My current girl knows a group of musicians from Moldova that are currently traveling in the USA and playing at concerts. She even knows a woman from Moldova that sells mary Kay Cosemetics and comes to the USA on a work visa to go to the Mary Kay meetings and classes. It's all business related of course ... NOT!

Posted by: Jerico

Well i cant verify if my mother-in-laws visa is tourist or not but for sure it is not business or student :-)
Maybe visitor visa? I dont know but it was extemely easy to get.
jerry

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes Jerico, getting family here is usually very easy. Not sure what the visa is called either.

I hope the fires in "I'll be back" Arnold land haven't been close to your home!

Take care Jerico.

Posted by: AkMike

Jerico, Could you find out the type of visa your MIL got? I looked and couldn't find and family visit kind. I'd appreciate it!
But with my luck it'd get changed or cancelled thye week before it got sent in.

Posted by: Jerico

Hey Mike,
YA i will ask my wife. Shes in Kirgizstan right now and they are submitting the paperwork for the visa.

The first time she came here i just wrote a quick 1 minute letter and just faxed it , APPROVED!!! I was like what the hell, Hehhe.

I will definetly find out for ya and we will see if she is approved again which I am pretty sure she will be approved.
Jerry

Posted by: AkMike

Thanks Jerry!
In a year or so I'd like to bring my step-son and his wife here to see Alaska. I'm sure they'll like the change of scenery especially if they get to go snowmobiling at the 'dacha'. Then when the grandson is 10 or so I'd like to take him to meet Mickey Mouse. I want him to be old enough to remember it in later years.
So I'll be doing this at least a couple of times.

Posted by: myshka

There isnt a family visit visa for USA. There is only a visitor's visa. They are getting granted more and more often. It sometimes is the luck of the draw though.
Here is the link for the Moscow website regarding visas;

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consula...ord_id=nivtypes

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1264.html
another one regarding visas on state dept. website.