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Posts Tagged ‘B-2 Visa’
7th August 2013
Holiday Closing Schedule For The US Embassy In Vientiane, Laos
Posted by : admin
The administration of this blog routinely posts the holiday closing schedules of the various US Embassies and US Consulates in the Southeast Asia region to provide a single source for such information to Americans who frequently travel in the region as well as foreign nationals who may be seeking services at such posts. The following is quoted directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Vientiane, Laos:
Date | Day | Holiday |
---|---|---|
January 1 | Tuesday | New Year’s Day |
January 21 | Monday | Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday |
February 18 | Monday | Presidents’ Day |
March 8 | Friday | International Women’s Day |
April 15-17 | Monday – Wednesday | Lao New Year |
May 1 | Wednesday | Lao Labor Day |
May 27 | Monday | Memorial Day |
July 4 | Thursday | Independence Day |
September 2 | Monday | Labor Day |
October 14 | Monday | Columbus Day |
October 21 | Monday | Boat Racing Festival |
November 11 | Monday | Veteran’s Day |
November 18 | Monday | That Luang Festival |
November 28 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day |
December 2 | Monday | Lao National Day |
December 25 | Wednesday | Christmas Day |
Substitution days. Please note: According to the prevailing practice in Laos, official holidays which fall on Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday and Sunday on the following Monday.
Each year, a significant number of Americans travel to a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad in order to request services such as Passport renewal, additional visa pages, notarization, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and much more. Those wishing to avail themselves of these services are encouraged to contact American Citizen Services at the US Embassy or US Consulate concerned. In most cases, Americans are well-advised to make an appointment prior to traveling to the post as some Embassies and Consulates require a prior appointment while others can process a request much more quickly if an appointment has been made before arrival at the post.
Foreign nationals, especially those wishing to apply for a US visa, are also occasionally in need of access to a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad. In circumstances where a US visa is being sought it is generally a requirement that the foreign national schedule an appointment for visa interview prior to traveling to the post. Applicants for a US Tourist Visa (B-2 visa), US Business Visa (B-1 visa), US Student Visa (F-1 visa), or an Exchange Worker Visa (J-1 visa) are usually interviewed by a Consular Officer with a Non-immigrant visa unit. Meanwhile, those seeking an IR-1 visa (immigrant relative visa), CR-1 visa (conditional immigrant visa for an immigrant relative), K-3 visa (non-immigrant spouse visa), or a K-1 visa (US fiance visa for the fiance or fiancee of an American Citizen) are usually required to undergo an interview before a Consular Officer under the Immigrant Visa Section of the Consular Post.
21st July 2013
2013 Holiday Closing Schedule: US Embassy Cambodia
Posted by : admin
In an effort to provide relevant information to travelers and expatriates who read this blog, the administration posts the holiday closing schedules for the various US Emabssies and US Consulates in the Southeast Asia region. The following is the holiday closing schedule for the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as posted on the official Embassy website:
Month | Day | Holiday | Khmer/U.S. |
---|---|---|---|
January 1 | Tuesday | New Year’s Day | U.S. |
January 21 | Monday | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | U.S. |
February 18 | Monday | George Washington’s Birthday | U.S. |
March 8 | Friday | International Women’s Day | CAM |
April 15 | Monday | Khmer New Year’s Day | CAM |
April 16 | Tuesday | Khmer New Year’s Day | CAM |
May 13 | Monday | Birthday of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech PreahBoromneath NORODOM SIHAMONI, King of Cambodia | CAM |
May 14 | Tuesday | Birthday of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah BoromneathNORODOM SIHAMONI, King of Cambodia | CAM |
May 27 | Monday | Memorial Day | U.S. |
June 18 | Tuesday | Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen-Mother NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK of Cambodia | CAM |
July 4 | Thursday | Independence Day | U.S. |
September 2 | Monday | Labor Day | U.S. |
October 3 | Thursday | Pchum Ben Day | CAM |
October 4 | Friday | Pchum Ben Day | CAM |
October 14 | Monday | Columbus Day | U.S. |
October 15 | Tuesday | National Day of Mourning for His Majesty King FatherPreah Bat Samdech NORODOM SIHANOUK | CAM |
November 11 | Monday | Veterans Day | U.S. |
November 18 | Monday | Water Festival | CAM |
November 28 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | U.S. |
December 25 | Wednesday | Christmas Day | U.S. |
Each year, many Americans travel to a US Embassy or US Consulate in an effort to obtain services such as US Passport renewal, notary service, additional US Passport pages, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. Meanwhile, many foreign nationals from around the world must undergo Consular Processing in order to eventually be granted a US visa. Non-Immigrant visa units are tasked with adjudicating applications for non-immigrant visas such as the B-1/B-2 visa (US Tourist visa), F-1 visa (student visa), and the J-1 visa. Business visa units are responsible for the adjudication of business visa applications for travel documents such as the E-1 visa, the E-2 visa, the EB visa, the L-1 visa, the O-1 visa, and the H1-B visa. Finally, immigrant visa units have the responsibility for adjudicating applications for immigrant visas such as the IR-1 visa and the CR-1 visa. However, those seeking a K-1 visa (fiance visa) may also find themselves being interviewed by an officer with the immigrant visa unit as such travel documents are treated in much the same way as immigrant visas, notwithstanding the fact that K-1 visas are technically non-immigrant visas.
Those wishing to receive service from American Citizen Services at a US Embassy abroad or those wishing to have a visa application adjudictaed are encouraged to make an appointment online prior to traveling to the US Post.
For related information please see: US Embassy Thailand.
27th June 2013
US Embassy Bangkok: Holiday Closing Schedule
Posted by : admin
In an effort to provide relevant information for those Americans living abroad as well as those foreign nationals who may have business to conduct at a US Embassy or US Consulate it has been the practice of the administration of this blog to post the holiday closing times for US Embassies and Consulates in and around Southeast Asia. The following is quoted directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:
Month | Date | Day | Occasion |
January | 1 | Tuesday | New Year’s Day |
January | 21 | Monday | Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday |
February | 18 | Monday | Presidents’ Day |
April | 8 | Monday | Substitute day of King Rama I Memorial and Chakri Day |
April | 12 | Friday | Songkran Festival |
April | 15 | Monday | Songkran Festival |
April | 16 | Tuesday | Substitute day of Songkran Festival |
May | 6 | Monday | Substitute day of Coronation Day |
May | 24 | Friday | Visakha Bucha Day |
May | 27 | Monday | Memorial Day |
July | 4 | Thursday | Independence Day |
August | 12 | Monday | Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday |
September | 2 | Monday | Labor Day |
October | 14 | Monday | Columbus Day |
October | 23 | Wednesday | Chulalongkorn Day |
November | 11 | Monday | Veterans Day |
November | 28 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day |
December | 5 | Thursday | His Majesty the King’s Birthday |
December | 10 | Tuesday | Constitution Day |
December | 25 | Wednesday | Christmas Day |
December | 31 | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve |
Those seeking information about the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand are encouraged to visit their homepage by clicking HERE.
The US Embassy in Bangkok is tasked with adjudicating visa applications for non-immigrant visas such as the B-1 visa, the B-2 visa, and the F-1 visa; the immigrant visa section adjudicates applications for visas such as the CR-1 visa, the IR-1 visa, the K-1 visa, and the K-3 visa. American Citizen Services is responsible for assisting Americans in renewing passports, issuing new visa pages for US passports, issuing Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, providing notary services, as well as a wide variety of other functions. Generally, it is advisable to make an appointment prior to traveling to the Embassy as this can facilitate quicker processing of relevant requests.
For related information please see: US Visa Thailand.
4th August 2011
It recently came to this blogger’s attention that the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand is poised to begin exclusively offering routine services at the American Citizen Services section of the Post by appointment only. In order to provide further insight into these developments it is necessary to quote directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:
Beginning September 1, 2011, all non-emergency consular services will require an appointment. We hope that this will assist us in providing prompt and efficient consular services to American Citizens residing in Thailand. Please plan accordingly.
For those who are unfamiliar with matters pertaining to United States Missions abroad it should be noted that an American Citizen Services section of a US Embassy, US Consulate, or American Institute provides many services for Americans resident abroad. Such services include, but are not limited to, US Passport issuance, Consular Report of Birth Abroad issuance, Notary Services, and issuance of additional pages to a previously issued US Passport. It has always been this blogger’s personal experience that the ACS unit of the US Embassy in Bangkok handles matters in an efficient and courteous manner. That stated, the unit always seems hectically busy and it would appear that the new policy is aimed at streamlining the processing of pertinent requests.
Those seeking information regarding visas and immigration to the United States should look for information regarding Immigrant Visa Units and/or Non-Immigrant Visa Units at US Posts abroad as those sections are generally tasked with adjudicating applications for visas such as the B-2 visa, the K-1 visa, the CR-1 visa, and the IR-1 visa.
2nd June 2011
US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan: Holiday Closing Schedule 2011
Posted by : admin
Frequent readers of this web log may have taken note of the fact that the administration routinely posts the holiday closing schedules of the various US Missions in Asia as a courtesy to the public-at-large. To quote directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan:
DATE DAY HOLIDAY
January 2* (US) Sunday New Year’s Day
January 16* (US) Sunday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 15 (AF) Tuesday Liberation Day
February 16** (AF) Wednesday Prophet’s Birthday
February 20* (US) Sunday President’s Day
March 21 (AF) Monday Nawrooz (Afghan New Year – 1390)
April 28 (AF) Thursday Victory Day
May 29* (US) Sunday Memorial Day
July 3* (US) Sunday Independence Day
August 1** (AF) Monday First Day or Ramadan
August 18*** (AF) Thursday Independence Day
Aug 31 – Sept 2** (AF) Wednesday – Friday Eid ul-Fitr
September 4* (US) Sunday Labor Day
September 8*** (AF) Thursday Martyrdom of National Hero Day
October 9* (US) Sunday Columbus Day
November 6-8** (AF) Sunday – Tuesday Eid-e Qurban
November 10* (US) Thursday Veteran’s Day
November 24 (US) Thursday Thanksgiving Day
December 6** (AF) Tuesday 10th of Muharram (Ashura)
December 25 (US) Sunday Christmas DayNotes:
* American holidays marked with an asterisk (*) are observed on a different day than in the US.
** Afghan holidays marked with double asterisks (**) are based on the Islamic Calendar and depend on sightings of the moon. As a holiday approaches, adjustments to this schedule may be made based on local practice and Afghan government announcements.
*** Afghan holidays marked with triple asterisks (***) are observed one day earlier.
Those wishing to visit the official homepage of the United States Embassy in Kabul are encouraged to click HERE.
It may sometimes prove necessary for an American Resident Abroad or an American traveling abroad to acquire documentation (US Passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Notarized affidavit, etc.) which can only be obtained from an American Citizen Services section of a US Embassy or US Consulate overseas. Americans seeking such documentation are well advised to contact an American Citizen Services Section with appropriate Consular jurisdiction.
Those seeking an American non-immigrant visa (such as a B-1 visa, B-2 visa, J-1 visa, or F-1 visa) are likely to see their visa application processed at a non-immigrant visa section of a US Embassy, US Consulate, or American Institute abroad. Meanwhile, those seeking an immigrant visa such as a CR-1 visa or IR-1 visa (for purposes of Consular Processing, the K-1 visa; although a non-immigrant US fiance visa, is treated in much the same way as immigrant visa categories for processing purposes) are likely to see their visa application processed by an Immigrant Visa Unit abroad. Immigrant visas such as those noted above are likely to only be granted pursuant to an initial adjudication of an immigration petition at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
Those seeking visas such as the EB-5 visa or the L-1 visa are well advised to take note of the fact that it is unlikely that a visa application will be adjudicated by a US Post abroad until after an initial immigration petition is approved by USCIS.
For related information please see: Legal.
24th May 2011
Secretary Clinton Announces Changes Pertaining To Iranian Student Visas
Posted by : admin
It recently came to this blogger’s attention that the American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has made an announcement regarding issuance of US student visas to Iranian nationals. To quote directly from the Still4Hill blog:
I am very pleased to announce a big step forward in the Obama Administration’s support of the Iranian people. Under our old visa policy, Iranian students and exchange visitors were eligible for visas that lasted for only three months and could be used to enter the country just one time. As of today, that has changed. They are now eligible for two-year, multiple entry visas. This gives young Iranians the opportunity to return home for family events, to participate in internships, to travel outside the United States—and they won’t need to get a new visa every time. I’ve heard from many Iranian students and Iranian Americans that you wanted this change. So I want you to know that we are listening to your concerns. We want more dialogue and more exchange with those of you who are shaping Iran’s future. We want to be able to share with you what we think is great about America…
The administration of this web log strongly encourages readers to click upon the hyperlinks above to learn more about this story.
The US Student Visa, also referred to by the categorical title of F-1 visa, is a very popular travel document among foreign nationals who wish to travel from their home country to the United States in order to undertake a course of study. This visa category is akin to the US tourist visa (B-2 visa) insofar as both visas require the adjudication of a visa application at a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad. The US student visa is also a non-immigrant visa. It is important to note this fact because it implies that any application for such a visa must survive scrutiny pursuant to section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. Not all non-immigrant visa applications are scrutinized pursuant to 214(b), most notably the L-1 visa, but many popular categories require such scrutiny.
Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act creates the rebuttable presumption that a non-immigrant visa applicant is actually an undisclosed intending immigrant to the United States. This presumption can only be overcome by the applicant providing affirmative proof that they have a strong incentive to leave the United States rather than remain. For many, overcoming such a presumption can be difficult, but it should not be viewed as impossible as many US non-immigrant visas are issued each year.
For related information please see: J-1 visa.
14th May 2011
Officials In Travel Industry Reportedly Criticize “US Visa System”
Posted by : admin
It recently came to this blogger’s attention that some have criticized the current process associated with adjudication and issuance of United States visas. Notably, it would seem that this criticism is mostly concerned with non-immigrant visas such as the B-2 visa (US tourist visa) and the B-1 visa (US business visa). To quote directly from a Reuters story posted on the website airwise.com:
The complicated US visa system hurts tourism and must be reformed if the United States wants to attract lucrative tourism from countries such as China, India and Brazil, travel industry officials said…
Readers of this blog are encouraged to click upon the hyperlinks noted above to read this story in detail and also gain greater insight into this developing issue.
At the time of this writing the United States maintains a system which allows for some nations to receive admission to the USA through a visa waiver program. As noted above: China, India, and Brazil are not included in the visa waiver program. This situation exists notwithstanding the fact that these three nations in association with two others (South Africa and Russia) compose the so-called BRICS group of developing countries with what some would claim is a virtually unlimited capacity for economic growth in the future.
This visa waiver program also entails the so-called “ESTA” (Electronic System For Travel Authorization) program, which requires foreign nationals to pre-register for admission to the United States before beginning their journey to America. It should be noted that in its current form the ESTA program only pertains to nationals from visa waiver participating countries. Therefore, nationals from countries such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Kingdom of Thailand cannot benefit from the visa waiver program and the ESTA program as of the time of this writing.
Those interested in further information on such topics are encouraged to visit a few official websites: HERE and HERE. To quote further from the aforementioned piece:
“The challenge we have is the unnecessary, burdensome US visa system,” said USTA president Roger Dow. “It’s really self-imposed barriers that we put on ourselves as a country that have caused us to lose international travel and that have stymied international growth.”
This blogger has heard this argument made in the past and it is certainly salient especially at a time when tourism income is in high demand in an international context. To continue quoting further:
The US visa process from beginning to end can take as long as 145 days in Brazil and 120 days in China, a USTA report said. In contrast, Britain takes an average of 12 days to process visas in Brazil and 11 days in China…
Clearly, the visa processing time differential between the United States and the somewhat similarly socioeconomically situated United Kingdom is a stark contrast. To quote further:
US Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who chairs a subcommittee focused on export promotion and competitiveness, said the travel industry was important to help President Barack Obama meet his stated goal of doubling exports by 2014. “We see it as part of our economic recovery. I see this as a way to get jobs in our country,” Klobuchar said…
It is refreshing to see a federal legislator like Senator Amy Klobucher from the sovereign State of Minnesota taking the time to investigate an issue that may, at first glance, seem mundane. In point of fact, matters pertaining to United States non-immigrant visas are extremely important as they can have a significant impact upon foreign direct investment in the United States and the amount of money raised by American companies and enterprises offering services to foreign nationals both in the USA and abroad. Finally, a legislator trying to find reasonable solutions to American economic concerns in a reasonable manner! America: Let us not forget, we are one of the most historically fascinating and economically dynamic nations ever to have made our voices heard in the chorus of history. Why do we forget this? We seem to find ourselves constantly debating the minutia of our past transgressions or the history of our geopolitically unique grouping of jurisdictions. We do this when solutions to some of the current economic problems stare us in the face. The reality is that there are many around the world who wish to do business with those in the United States of America. There are many who want to buy our products. There currently exists the distinct possibility that the continent of Asia will have a constantly growing middle class of prospective international travelers for decades into the future. These travelers will likely be traveling for both business as well as pleasure. It stands to reason that many prospective tourists from Asia will make their initial international travel decisions with great care. Therefore, America should continue to be mindful of the fact there exists an international competitive market for income generated from tourism. It stands to reason that more tourists in America means more tourism income.
From a legal perspective there is something to be said for allowing further membership in the United States visa waiver program as it would lead to fewer overall denied visa applications based upon section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. Currently, many tourist visa applications are denied pursuant to a presumption in the aforementioned section of U.S. law. This section requires Consular Officers to make the factual presumption that a tourist visa applicant is actually an intending American immigrant unless the applicant can produce sufficient evidence to overcome this presumption. The visa waiver program gets around this 214(b) presumption by waiving the need for an American visa. Simultaneously, the visa waiver program also restricts those foreign nationals admitted into the United States from adjusting status to lawful permanent residence. One may adjust one’s status to lawful permanent residence (Green Card status) from tourist visa status in the U.S.A. under very limited circumstances. The visa waiver program does not permit such adjustment and therefore requires those foreign nationals seeking immigrant status to depart the United States and undergo Consular Processing abroad.
It remains to be seen whether or not US visa policy regarding non-immigrant visas such as those described above will be changed, but clearly there is some momentum behind this rather important issue in Washington D.C.
For related information please see: K-1 visa system, K-3 visa system, or US Company Registration.
18th January 2011
เมื่อเร็วๆนี้มีข่าวที่อยู่ในเว็บไซต์ Telegraph.co.uk พาดหัวข่าวว่า “เด็กชายวัย 9 ขวบพลาดการไปเที่ยวดิสนีย์เวิลด์เพราะระเบียบของคนเข้าเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกา”ซึ่งรายงานกล่าวว่า เด็กชาย วัย 9 ขวบถูกปฏิเสธวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาประเภทท่องเที่ยว อ้างโดยตรงจากบทความ :
พวกเขากล่าวว่า มีความเสี่ยงที่หลังจากช่วงวันหยุดสุดสัปดาห์ เขาจะไม่เดินทางออกนอกสหรัฐอเมริกาและเขาถูกปฏิเสธคำขอภายใต้มาตรา 214(b) ของพระราชบัญญัติสัญชาติและคนเข้าเมือง
บล็อกเกอร์อ้างในหัวข้อของบทความต้นฉบับซึ่งข้อจำกัดของคนเข้าเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกาซึ่งอาจจะมีบางอย่างคลุมเครือเนื่องจากการยื่นคำขอวีซ่านั้นยื่นต่อกงสุลสหรัฐอเมริกาภายใต้เขตอำนาจของสถานทูตในสหราชอาณาจักรและไม่ใช่หน่วยบริการคนเข้าเมืองและพลเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกา (USCIS)ในสหรัฐอเมริกา อาจกล่าวได้ว่า บทความนี้ได้อธิบายถึงการยื่นขอวีซ่าของเด็กในสหราชอาณาจักรและการปฏิเสธวีซ่า พ่อแม่ของเด็กกพยายามที่จะสร้างความประทับใจให้แก่ลูกด้วยการเดินทางไปดิสนีย์เวิลด์ ฟลอริด้า อ้างโดยตรงจากบทความ:
ไมคาร์ [ผู้ที่ยื่นขอวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาประเภท B-2]เกิดในอังกฤษและอาศัยอยู่ในเมดเดิลส์เอ็กซ์ตลอดชีวิตของเขากับคลาเดียร์ ลูอิสผู้เป็นแม่
เขาถือพาสปอร์ตแอฟริกาใต้เพราะเคทรีและเอ็ดเวิร์ดทวดขอองเขาอาศัยและทำงานอยู่ในอังกฤษตั้งแต่ปี 1990 เพียงแค่เขาเท่านั้นที่ได้รับพาสปอร์ตแอฟริกาใต้
พวกเขามีต้นกำเนิดมาจากแอฟริกาใต้
ไมคาร์แนบจดหมายจากโรงเรียนประถมของเขาที่ยืนยันว่า เขาเรียนอยู่ที่โรงเรียนไปพร้อมกับการยื่นคำขอวีซ่า
แต่สถานทูตอเมริกาปฏิเสธจดหมายของไมคาร์โดยอ้างว่า “เพราะว่าไม่มีการแสดงให้เห็นถึงความสัมพันธ์ที่แน่นแฟ้นนอกสหรัฐอเมริกาหรือไม่สามารถแสดงว่า กิจกรรมที่คุณจะไปสหรัฐอเมริกาจะทำให้คุณยังคงสถานะของวีซ่าอยู่ได้ คุณเป็นผู้ที่ขาดคุณสมบัติ”
เคทรี ยายของเขามาจากบริกซ์ตันทางตอนใต้ของลอนดอนกล่าวว่า “เป็นเรื่องที่น่าประหลาดใจมาก เขาน่าจะชอบมัน”
บล็อกเกอร์ขอแนะนำว่า ผู้ที่สนใจที่จะติดตามเรื่องราวเพิ่มเติมสามารถอ่านเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ เว็บไซต์ Telegraph
มาตรา 214(b) พระราชบัญญัติสัญชาติและคนเข้าเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกาซึ่งกำหนดข้อสันนิษฐานทางกฎหมายในการตัดสินของเจ้าหน้าที่กงสุลในภารกิจของสหรัฐในต่างแดน (สถานทูตสหรัฐ สถานกงสุลสหรัฐ สถาบันในอเมริกา หน่วยบริการวีซ่า และอื่นๆ)ซึ่งเป็นการยื่นขอวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาซึ่งปกปิดเจตนาการเข้าเมือง การที่จะพิสูจน์ข้อสันนิฐานที่จะเกิดขึ้นเมื่อเจ้าพนักงานกงสุลมีความเห็นว่า ตรงข้ามกับข้อมูลที่กล่าวอ้างไว้ ผู้ยื่นขอวีซ่าต้องแสดงถึงความสัมพันธ์อันแนบแน่นที่มีต่อประเทศที่ผู้สมัครมีภูมิลำเนาอยู่ หรือประเทศอื่นๆและในขณะเดียวกันจะต้องไม่มีความเกี่ยวพันกับสหรัฐอเมริกามากนัก
ในตอนอื่นๆของบทความที่กล่าวมาก่อนหน้านี้ ผู้เขียนอ้างถึงคู่ที่จองตั๋วเครื่องบินสำหรับการเดินทางไปพักผ่อนที่สหรัฐอเมริกา ตามที่กล่าวมาในบทความก่อนหน้านี้คือ ไม่มีการยืนยันที่ชัดเจนสำหรับการที่จะได้รับวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาของคนต่างชาติมากกว่าระเบียบวิธีการ พฤติการณ์ดังกล่าวนั้นไม่สามารถที่พวกเขาจะคาดการณ์และต้องสูญเสียทั้งเรื่องการเงินและความรู้สึก ชาวต่างชาติมี่ปรารถนาจะเดินทางไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกาไม่ควรจะวางแผนการเดินทางที่ไม่สามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงได้จนกว่าจะได้รับการออกวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกา
องค์ประกอบหลักที่มีผลอย่างมากต่อผลลัพธ์ของการขอวีซ่าในคดีต่างๆ คือหนังสือเดินทางของสหราชอาณาจักร ตามที่กล่าวมาแล้วข้างบนจากสถานทูต ผู้ยื่นคำขอวีซ่าไม่สามารถแสดงความสัมพันธ์อันแนบแน่นต่อสหราชอาณาจักร หรือประเทศอื่นๆ ถ้าเด็กที่อาศัยในสหราชอาณาจักรแต่ไม่มีหนังสือเดินทางของสหราชอาณาจักร และตามที่กล่าวอ้างไปแล้วข้างบนว่า ไม่เคยอาศัยในแอฟริกาใต้ แต่พยายามที่จะใช้หนังสือเดินทางของแอฟริกาใต้เดินทางไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกา อาจจะกล่าวได้ว่า ความสัมพันธ์ต่อประเทศอื่นๆนั้นไม่แน่นแฟ้น อาจจะเป็นไปได้และปราศจากข้อมูลอย่างละเอียด นั่นอาจจะเป็นเหตุผลในการปฏิเสธคำขอ อย่างไรก็ตาม การวินิจฉัยของแต่ละคดีนั้นอยู่บนหลักความจริงที่แตกต่างกันและการวิเคราะห์พฤติการณ์ต่างๆที่จะมีการปฏิเสธคำขอวีซ่านั้นก็แตกต่างกันด้วย
โดยทั่วไปแล้วไม่มีหลักฐานที่แน่นอนว่า การยื่นคำขอวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาอีกครั้งหนึ่งจะไม่มีการเปลี่ยนแปลงในข้อเท็จจริง แต่อย่างไรก็ตามเมื่อสถานการณ์เปลี่ยนแปลงไปมาก หลังจากนั้นการยื่นคำขออาจจะเป็นเรื่องที่ไร้สาระ ในมุมมองของกฎหมายในหลายๆเขตอำนาจศาลการเปลี่ยนแปลงสัญชาติ การได้มาซึ่งสัญชาติ การลงทะเบียนสัญชาติ หรือการแปลงสัญชาติเป็นสัญชาติใหม่ซึ่งแตกต่างกันตามสิทธิตามกฎหมาย ภาระผูกพัน สิทธิพิเศษ และอย่างน้อยที่สุดอาจจะเป็นหนังสือเดินทาง บางครั้ง หลังจากที่เด็กได้รับพาสปอร็ตสหราชอาณาจักรซึ่งเป็นเอกสารการเดินทางที่เหมาะสมประเภทหนึ่ง การยื่นคำขอวีซ่าประเภทอื่นๆจะได้รับการอนุมัติหรือไม่ ขึ้นอยู่กับการได้มาซึ่งหนังสือเดินทางของสหราชอาณาจักร เด็กในบทความนี้อาจจะมีคุณสมบัติสำหรับโปรแกรมการขอละเว้นสิทธิ แม้ว่า การปฏิเสธวีซ่าสหรัฐอเมริกาต้องการที่จะอยู่ในระบบลงทะเบียนอิเล็คทรอนิกส์ของการเดินทาง (ESTA)
หวังเป็นอย่างยิ่งว่า ผู้ที่จะยื่นขอวีซ่าท่องเที่ยวสหรัฐอเมริกาในอนาคตนั้นควรจะตระหนักถึงข้อเท็จจริงที่ว่า สัญชาตินั้นเป็นองค์ประกอบที่สำคัญในการยื่นคำขอวีซ่าหรือกระบวนการทางคนเข้าเมือง
To view this post in English please see: US visa denial.
4th December 2010
Those who read this blog on a regular basis will no doubt realize that when new information regarding Consular processing comes out this administration tries to post it in an effort to provide insight to those processing a visa application through the relevant Post. It recently came to this blogger’s attention that the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines is changing their protocols for Immigrant visa processing. The following is a brief quotation from the official website of the US Embassy in Manila:
Effective December 1, 2010, various changes to immigrant visa services are as follows:
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Immigrant visa applicants whose appointments have not been scheduled through the National Visa Center (NVC) (i.e., immigrant visa petitions approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services Manila) may request a visa appointment by visiting the U.S. Embassy in Manila’s Visa Information and Appointment Service online at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or by calling (632) 982-5555. The Visa Information and Appointment Service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on U.S. and Philippine holidays. Callers in the U.S. should call (214) 571-1600, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Callers are able to speak with an English-, Tagalog-, Ilocano- or Cebuano-speaking operator.
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Visa Information and Appointment Service representatives can provide information on visa appointment-related inquiries only. Inquiries on a specific case may be directed to the Immigrant Visa (IV) Unit by e-mail at [email protected] or by fax at (632) 301-2591. Petitioners and applicants may also call the IV Inquiry line at (632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 during normal business hours.
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Immigrant visa applicants who have been scheduled by the NVC for a visa appointment at the Embassy are required to visit the online appointment website to register their delivery address.
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K visa applicants who have been notified by the Embassy to prepare for their interview, must pay the visa application fee of $350 before they can request a visa appointment via the online appointment website or the Visa Call Center
It should be noted that the above quotation does not encompass all of the information provided upon the official website. Those interested in obtaining further information are encouraged to correspond directly with either an American immigration attorney or the US Embassy in the Philippines.
The Consular Processing phase is usually the last phase of the US visa process for those with immigrant intent. Although in certain cases, a 221g refusal may be issued if the adjudicating Consular Officer feels that further documentation is required to process an application. Furthermore, a visa application may be denied if it is found that a legal grounds of inadmissibility exists in a given case. Under such circumstances, it may be possible to remedy the denial through use of an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility.
In American family based visa cases, the Immigrant Visa Unit of a US Consulate abroad is responsible for the adjudication of a visa application for those seeking a K1 visa, K3 visa, CR-1 visa, or an IR-1 visa. Those seeking a non-immigrant visa such as a B1 visa (US Business Visa), B2 visa (US Tourist Visa), F1 visa (US Student Visa), or J1 visa (Cultural Exchange Visa) must interview with an adjudicator at the Non-immigrant visa unit of the Post with Consular jurisdiction to adjudicate a visa application.
For related information please see: US Embassy Philippines.
28th October 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule of the US Consulate for Hong Kong and Macau
Posted by : admin
Frequent readers of this blog may have noticed that the administration routinely posts the holiday closing schedules of various United States Missions in Asia in an effort to forestall possibly fruitless trips to a US Embassy or US Consulate overseas. Many American Missions close and do not provide routine services in observance of both United States Federal holidays as well as local holidays in the Host Country. The following information was quoted directly from the official website of the United States Consulate in Hong Kong (this Post also has Consular jurisdiction over Macau):
The following have been designated as official holidays for 2010. The Consulate General will be closed to the public on these days.
Friday, January 1 | New Year’s Day | A/L |
Monday, January 18 | Martin Luther King’s Birthday | A |
Monday, February 15 | President’s Day/Second day of the Lunar New Year | A/L |
Tuesday, February 16 | Third day of the Lunar New Year | L |
Friday, April 2 | Good Friday | L |
Monday, April 5 | Easter Monday | L |
Tuesday, April 6 | The day following Ching Ming Festival | L |
Friday, May 21 | The Buddha’s Birthday | L |
Monday, May 31 | Memorial Day | A |
Wednesday, June 16 | Tuen Ng Festival | L |
Thursday, July 1 | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day | L |
Sunday, July 4 (observed Monday, July 5) |
Independence Day | A |
Monday, September 6 | Labor Day | A |
Thursday, September 23 | The day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | L |
Friday, October 1 | National Day | L |
Monday, October 11 | Columbus Day | A |
Thursday, November 11 | Veterans Day | A |
Thursday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Day | A |
Saturday, December 25 (observed Friday, December 24) |
Christmas Day | A |
Monday, December 27 | First Week-Day after Christmas Day | L |
Saturday, January 1 (observed Friday, December 31) |
New Year’s Day | A |
A – American Holiday/L – Local Holiday
Notes: Four local holidays falling on Saturdays are not included in the 2010 holiday schedule (the day preceding Lunar New Year’s Day, February 13, the day following Good Friday, April 3, Labour Day, May 1, and Chung Yeung Festival, October 16).
Both Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China and have considerable autonomy under Chinese law. That said, those Americans interested in receiving services such as issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), new US passport, new visa pages, or notary services, etc. are well advised to contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) Section of the nearest US Mission in an effort to schedule an appointment at ACS. Scheduling an appointment is an efficient way of streamlining services at an American Mission abroad as Consular Officers can prepare in advance to service a prospective customer’s needs.
Those interested in matters pertaining to United States Immigration are well advised to research the issue before contacting an American Mission abroad to set up an appointment for visa interview. Many non-immigrant visa categories (ex. F1 visa, B1 visa, B2 visa) may not require the initial filing of a visa petition in the USA. However, non-immigrant visas such as the K1 visa and the K3 Visa do require the initial approval of a petition at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Also, immigrant visa categories such as the IR1 Visa and the CR1 Visa require the initial filing of a petition with USCIS. Although, some American Consulates and Embassies abroad may allow Direct Consular Filing (DCF) under certain limited circumstances.
For related information please see: US Visa China or EB-5 Visa China.
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