4 ms·

About US B1/B2 visas. A startup I knew was selected into Blackbox connect. 3 people appeared for an interview, only 1 was selected. The rejected ones reappeared

About US B1/B2 visas. A startup I knew was selected into Blackbox connect. 3 people appeared for an interview, only 1 was selected. The rejected ones reappeared, 1 was selected from them. The final one decided not to go. Recently had something similar happen to me with an Australian visa. I've been to the US before, and a few other countries too. Applied for a short-stay specialist visa because a client of mine wanted services in-person after I'd built their product. That's exactly what the visa was designed for. I provided evidence of funds, a letter from the client, travel history, everything. I was given BS reasons about: - Not having ties to my home country. My entire family lives here. - Not owning property in my home country. I do, they never asked on the application for proof, and so none was provided. - The economic disparity between my own country and Australia being too high. I showed my current employment letters, and proof that I run a successful company, in total making significantly more money than the average Australian in my position. My point is: the decision to grant or deny your visa is made by a single person. A cog in a great bureaucratic system that is empowered by their sovereign national law to judge your application and make an informed decision. But ultimately, the system is designed and operated by primates that learnt to strike two rocks together and make fire a few millenniums ago. They're highly flawed, there's no need to take it to heart. Just optimize your application in accordance with their laws, and reapply if you really want to go. You'll get in eventually. It took this dude 8 freaking tries, but even he managed.

csomar 8y ago
See my comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19697430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19697430 Don't be discouraged. Re-apply. The process depends on the interview guy. He'll get to decide your fate. His decision will depend on whether he likes you or not. Probably based on appearance.
- rprime 8y ago
  This right here, I applied two times, first time I just knew the interviewer wont approve my visa when I saw the way he looked at me, I had a feeling I was bothering him, he straight out said no without even checking my papers, he only checked them when I told him I've plenty of "evidence" and supporting documents and he just took a glance, ignoring everything. Second time I got a really nice interviewer but I applied at a out of country consulate (you've to apply to a US consulate from your home country) which I didn't knew at a time, he said he would've approved my application and seemed visibly sad that he couldn't help me. I stopped trying. I've been a co-founder of a US company for more than 10 years, 50+ employees, I never been to US.
  - csomar 8y ago
    > I stopped trying. I've been a co-founder of a US company for more than 10 years, 50+ employees, I never been to US. That's completely unacceptable. You can still look at the bright side (you were allowed to run a company which allowed you to access US wealth, many countries restrict that to their own citizens). I'd advise to socialize within the consulate/embassy. Here, they have lots of events. Try to make friends with the people working there and you'll make a reputation. Don't give up.
    - rprime 8y ago
      > That's completely unacceptable. You can still look at the bright side (you were allowed to run a company which allowed you to access US wealth, many countries restrict that to their own citizens). Indeed, that's a positive way to look at it. I'll probably try again soon, now beside the US company I've a company in my own country, along side multiple properties (car/house) that should be undoubtable ties to the country. > I'd advise to socialize within the consulate/embassy. Here, they have lots of events. Try to make friends with the people working there and you'll make a reputation. Don't give up. Interesting, I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
      - csomar 8y ago
        > Indeed, that's a positive way to look at it. I'll probably try again soon, now beside the US company I've a company in my own country, along side multiple properties (car/house) that should be undoubtable ties to the country. The embassy where I applied, they don't ask for any papers. It seems the same for the guys in here. So I'll just give it another shot.
coenhyde 8y ago
Sorry that my home country is doing this kind of thing too. I'm familiar with the US Visa system because i've gone through the process a few times. But it makes me sad that Australia is playing silly games too.
- amingilani 8y ago
  It's fine. Honestly, my home country is a lot worse. I'm not discouraged, it's the cost of travel for me.

csomar 8y ago

See my comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19697430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19697430 Don't be discouraged. Re-apply. The process depends on the interview guy. He'll get to decide your fate. His decision will depend on whether he likes you or not. Probably based on appearance.

rprime 8y ago
This right here, I applied two times, first time I just knew the interviewer wont approve my visa when I saw the way he looked at me, I had a feeling I was bothering him, he straight out said no without even checking my papers, he only checked them when I told him I've plenty of "evidence" and supporting documents and he just took a glance, ignoring everything. Second time I got a really nice interviewer but I applied at a out of country consulate (you've to apply to a US consulate from your home country) which I didn't knew at a time, he said he would've approved my application and seemed visibly sad that he couldn't help me. I stopped trying. I've been a co-founder of a US company for more than 10 years, 50+ employees, I never been to US.
- csomar 8y ago
  > I stopped trying. I've been a co-founder of a US company for more than 10 years, 50+ employees, I never been to US. That's completely unacceptable. You can still look at the bright side (you were allowed to run a company which allowed you to access US wealth, many countries restrict that to their own citizens). I'd advise to socialize within the consulate/embassy. Here, they have lots of events. Try to make friends with the people working there and you'll make a reputation. Don't give up.
  - rprime 8y ago
    > That's completely unacceptable. You can still look at the bright side (you were allowed to run a company which allowed you to access US wealth, many countries restrict that to their own citizens). Indeed, that's a positive way to look at it. I'll probably try again soon, now beside the US company I've a company in my own country, along side multiple properties (car/house) that should be undoubtable ties to the country. > I'd advise to socialize within the consulate/embassy. Here, they have lots of events. Try to make friends with the people working there and you'll make a reputation. Don't give up. Interesting, I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
    - csomar 8y ago
      > Indeed, that's a positive way to look at it. I'll probably try again soon, now beside the US company I've a company in my own country, along side multiple properties (car/house) that should be undoubtable ties to the country. The embassy where I applied, they don't ask for any papers. It seems the same for the guys in here. So I'll just give it another shot.

coenhyde 8y ago

Sorry that my home country is doing this kind of thing too. I'm familiar with the US Visa system because i've gone through the process a few times. But it makes me sad that Australia is playing silly games too.

amingilani 8y ago
It's fine. Honestly, my home country is a lot worse. I'm not discouraged, it's the cost of travel for me.