B2 visa: A 26-year-old man from the Philippines was recently denied a US B2 visa after a brief interview at the embassy. The applicant, who works on a government contract as an engineer and also owns a sole proprietorship surveying firm, reportedly did not get a chance to fully explain his strong ties to the Philippines during the interview.
Visa Officer Asked Only About Relationship
According to details shared on Reddit by the applicant’s girlfriend, the interview lasted only a few minutes with questions focusing primarily on their relationship.
“O: Good morning. Why do you want to go to the U.S.?
B: For tourism and I want to visit my girlfriend who lives in Arizona
O: types on computer Is she a citizen there?
B: Yes
O: types How long have you been together?
B: Almost 2 years now
O: immediately Unfortunately you are not eligible for the B2 visa”
The girlfriend added that despite her boyfriend having a stable job and owning a business, he was not given the opportunity to prove his intent to return to the Philippines. “It just feels so unfair,” she wrote.
Challenges of Showing Ties to Home Country
Many visa applicants face challenges when they have significant others in the U.S., as consular officers may view this as a potential reason for overstaying the visa. Reddit users discussing the post noted that applicants are advised to be truthful about their purpose of travel and financial or familial ties to their home country, but this can sometimes conflict with personal circumstances.
The Reddit post also raised questions about social media disclosures on the DS-160 form, with the girlfriend highlighting that photos with the couple together make it difficult to provide alternative answers.
Questions about how to improve for the next interview and the recommended waiting period before reapplying remain unanswered. Visa experts generally suggest strengthening proof of employment, property ownership, and family obligations before reapplying.