Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
#16
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
@tom169:
I applied for an ESTA right after my first B2 denial in 2014. It was rejected. Following your line of thought, I then waited almost two and a half years (!) before my next ESTA application (a few weeks ago); but that one didn’t go through either. I don’t know what to make of that.
I guess what I’m wondering is:
Given that each failed attempt—be it ESTA or visa—forces me to wait for another X months before trying again, which would be the better, safer choice next time I apply: ESTA or visa?
My understanding is that going for a visa would be smarter because of the personal interview, where I can present my credibility in a way the online ESTA application doesn’t leave room for. But it seems you’re hinting at the opposite.
I applied for an ESTA right after my first B2 denial in 2014. It was rejected. Following your line of thought, I then waited almost two and a half years (!) before my next ESTA application (a few weeks ago); but that one didn’t go through either. I don’t know what to make of that.
I guess what I’m wondering is:
Given that each failed attempt—be it ESTA or visa—forces me to wait for another X months before trying again, which would be the better, safer choice next time I apply: ESTA or visa?
My understanding is that going for a visa would be smarter because of the personal interview, where I can present my credibility in a way the online ESTA application doesn’t leave room for. But it seems you’re hinting at the opposite.
#17
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
But in this case maybe he is ineligible when you consider that more than 2 and a half years passed between b2 visa denial and the esta application? Have you ever heard of such a long period of time. If the denial was instant then it would suggest to me he is on some type of list. .....
If he was on "some type of "list" then that would have shown up on the denial last time around.
Last edited by Pulaski; Feb 18th 2017 at 9:44 pm.
#18
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
Did the embassy official who denied his visa mark his immigration file in someway that was incorrect perhaps to be a jerk. That has been known to happen. If he was refused because they thought he intended to work illegally wouldn't future esta's be denied based upon that premise?. If you are banned for some reason would they tell you were?
Last edited by albanks2542; Feb 18th 2017 at 10:21 pm.
#19
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
If the esta was denied instantly then there has to be something on his file to cause that to happen. If it was denied after a period of time with application pending than the denial was done manually by consul officer after a review of his U.S immigration file. If it is the first scenario then perhaps he is screwed for the esta for good?
I have a lot of family and friends coming over later this year and so far all of them have first hit the pending status. No way can USCIS keep up with manually processing them all in that timeframe.
#20
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
That's nonsense as there is no evidence that all applications that are first marked as pending are actually reviewed by a person.
I have a lot of family and friends coming over later this year and so far all of them have first hit the pending status. No way can USCIS keep up with manually processing them all in that timeframe.
I have a lot of family and friends coming over later this year and so far all of them have first hit the pending status. No way can USCIS keep up with manually processing them all in that timeframe.
#21
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
Then how are they reviewed if not by a person. The esta is a computer following a set of unwavering commands and scanning passenger information against databases and markers flagged into the system by consulate officers. A human being must come into the process at some point?
There is always going to be a name scrub too, against a list of known terrorists and other trouble makers.
#22
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
If approval is not immediate, the computer runs the application through an algorithm and an ever expanding decision tree until such time as it hits an endpoint. It's then either approved or denied. There's no evidence that there's any human interaction at all... and, in fact, there's no need for a person to be involved. Why? Because the decision is always either approved or denied. There's no other choice... and it's easier to simply tell someone to get a visa.
Ian
Ian
#23
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
If approval is not immediate, the computer runs the application through an algorithm and an ever expanding decision tree until such time as it hits an endpoint. It's then either approved or denied. There's no evidence that there's any human interaction at all... and, in fact, there's no need for a person to be involved. Why? Because the decision is always either approved or denied. There's no other choice... and it's easier to simply tell someone to get a visa.
Ian
Ian
#25
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
If approval is not immediate, the computer runs the application through an algorithm and an ever expanding decision tree until such time as it hits an endpoint. It's then either approved or denied. There's no evidence that there's any human interaction at all... and, in fact, there's no need for a person to be involved. Why? Because the decision is always either approved or denied. There's no other choice... and it's easier to simply tell someone to get a visa.
Ian
Ian
Lets assume your reasonably correct and that explains the process when authorisation is pending and then denied the computer likely has an algorithm based on lapsed time since the visa denial and when he passes that time period the application will approve. What if he has been denied instantly? Wouldn't that suggest there is a "flag" on the system. And if so wouldn't that "flag" always be there? Should he not be considering the so called DHS Trip inquiry as others have?
#26
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
And if so wouldn't that "flag" always be there?
Should he not be considering the so called DHS Trip inquiry as others have?
Ian
Last edited by ian-mstm; Feb 19th 2017 at 12:54 pm.
#27
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
@Everyone:
The applications were not rejected right off-hand.
Both ESTA applications (2014, right after B2 denial, and 2017, a few weeks ago) were reviewed and processed: the page prompted me to check in again within 72 hours (”this does not indicate a negative finding”). That is, no automatic denial.
And for the record, I truthfully checked the ”Have you ever been refused a visa” box.
Your discussions are informative, please keep them coming.
I’ve sometimes imagined that the consul I met in 2014 made some unfavorable note about me which has followed me ever since (I was civilized and polite, albeit a bit nervous by her interrogating style, and genuinely surprised and in a bit of a shock over her decision; but I didn’t argue with her and were completely honest when presenting my case). But that I will never know.
The applications were not rejected right off-hand.
Both ESTA applications (2014, right after B2 denial, and 2017, a few weeks ago) were reviewed and processed: the page prompted me to check in again within 72 hours (”this does not indicate a negative finding”). That is, no automatic denial.
And for the record, I truthfully checked the ”Have you ever been refused a visa” box.
Your discussions are informative, please keep them coming.
I’ve sometimes imagined that the consul I met in 2014 made some unfavorable note about me which has followed me ever since (I was civilized and polite, albeit a bit nervous by her interrogating style, and genuinely surprised and in a bit of a shock over her decision; but I didn’t argue with her and were completely honest when presenting my case). But that I will never know.
Last edited by aksojern; Feb 19th 2017 at 3:41 pm.
#28
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
@Everyone:
The applications were not rejected right off-hand.
Both ESTA applications (2014, right after B2 denial, and 2017, a few weeks ago) were reviewed and processed: the page prompted me to check in again within 72 hours (”this does not indicate a negative finding”). That is, no automatic denial.
And for the record, I truthfully checked the ”Have you ever been refused a visa” box.
Your discussions are informative, please keep them coming.
I’ve sometimes imagined that the consul I met in 2014 made some unfavorable note about me which has followed me ever since (I was civilized and polite, albeit a bit nervous by her interrogating style, and genuinely surprised and in a bit of a shock over her decision; but I didn’t argue with her and were completely honest when presenting my case). But that I will never know.
The applications were not rejected right off-hand.
Both ESTA applications (2014, right after B2 denial, and 2017, a few weeks ago) were reviewed and processed: the page prompted me to check in again within 72 hours (”this does not indicate a negative finding”). That is, no automatic denial.
And for the record, I truthfully checked the ”Have you ever been refused a visa” box.
Your discussions are informative, please keep them coming.
I’ve sometimes imagined that the consul I met in 2014 made some unfavorable note about me which has followed me ever since (I was civilized and polite, albeit a bit nervous by her interrogating style, and genuinely surprised and in a bit of a shock over her decision; but I didn’t argue with her and were completely honest when presenting my case). But that I will never know.
#29
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
A last shot, if you’re still following this thread:
As I pondered travel alternatives, I came to think of Victoria, BC, Canada, which I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. Then I thought, ”what if it’s easier to enter the U.S. via Canada?” It seems highly unlikely that there would be such a wormhole, but I checked the Canadian government’s website, and they do in fact state that when travelling by land or sea, no ESTA application is needed if the traveler comes from a visa waiver program country.
What they do ask for, though, is for you to fill out a I-94W form on-the-go, which includes all the regular ESTA application questions, such as ”Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa?”.
So what I’m wondering is, are the chances of getting into the U.S. by any means higher if opting for the Canada land/sea route than the chances of having a standard online ESTA application approved? (provided that I answer truthfully to the ”Have you ever” question)
As I pondered travel alternatives, I came to think of Victoria, BC, Canada, which I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. Then I thought, ”what if it’s easier to enter the U.S. via Canada?” It seems highly unlikely that there would be such a wormhole, but I checked the Canadian government’s website, and they do in fact state that when travelling by land or sea, no ESTA application is needed if the traveler comes from a visa waiver program country.
What they do ask for, though, is for you to fill out a I-94W form on-the-go, which includes all the regular ESTA application questions, such as ”Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa?”.
So what I’m wondering is, are the chances of getting into the U.S. by any means higher if opting for the Canada land/sea route than the chances of having a standard online ESTA application approved? (provided that I answer truthfully to the ”Have you ever” question)
#30
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 153
Re: Advice for new B2 application after previous denial
A last shot, if you’re still following this thread:
As I pondered travel alternatives, I came to think of Victoria, BC, Canada, which I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. Then I thought, ”what if it’s easier to enter the U.S. via Canada?” It seems highly unlikely that there would be such a wormhole, but I checked the Canadian government’s website, and they do in fact state that when travelling by land or sea, no ESTA application is needed if the traveler comes from a visa waiver program country.
What they do ask for, though, is for you to fill out a I-94W form on-the-go, which includes all the regular ESTA application questions, such as ”Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa?”.
So what I’m wondering is, are the chances of getting into the U.S. by any means higher if opting for the Canada land/sea route than the chances of having a standard online ESTA application approved? (provided that I answer truthfully to the ”Have you ever” question)
As I pondered travel alternatives, I came to think of Victoria, BC, Canada, which I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. Then I thought, ”what if it’s easier to enter the U.S. via Canada?” It seems highly unlikely that there would be such a wormhole, but I checked the Canadian government’s website, and they do in fact state that when travelling by land or sea, no ESTA application is needed if the traveler comes from a visa waiver program country.
What they do ask for, though, is for you to fill out a I-94W form on-the-go, which includes all the regular ESTA application questions, such as ”Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa?”.
So what I’m wondering is, are the chances of getting into the U.S. by any means higher if opting for the Canada land/sea route than the chances of having a standard online ESTA application approved? (provided that I answer truthfully to the ”Have you ever” question)