Why refuse a US Tourist Visa for spouse of American in Qatar?
Argh! Can't figure out whether I'll actually get any kind of answer out of this. So, I'll direct this to anyone who can provide some good answers on this vs. assumptions (especially if you have any direct dealings with the US Embassy).
Im American, Im a GM for a company in Qatar. My husband is Egyptian. We wanted to go back and visit my family for 10 days in the US as we're having a baby in Sept and wanted to fly before then.
Applied for the visa, had the necessary paperwork plus translated copies of his university degree and our marriage certificate (as we were married in the middle east), etc.)
He goes in, gets some very not-happy-because-its-sunday-morning-woman for the interview. She prompty tells him 'no' after wanting to know where he met me, what I did for a living, my passport copy, etc. and hands him a form letter paper that has a multi-tude of reasons as to why he could have been denied.
Granted, he doesn't make as much as me but I would place my own assumption that given that I would basically be sponsoring his existence in terms of the trip... whats the issue?
How on earth am I suppose to know what those 'reasons' actually were to try and rectify them? Did she not like the marriage certificate? Did she not like where we met?
I realize there is no way to appeal this but for hell's sakes... I would think there would be some solid and objective parameters that a person should plan to meet before applying for the visa.... not the subjective ones that are listed on the Embassy website.
Can anyone provide any 'real' advice on this topic?
An embassy has the right to refuse giving a visa to anyone, without giving any reasons.
You won't find answers here.
It may make sense for him to re-apply and for you to go with him to the embassy.
I don't know how long you have been married - perhaps that was an influence on her attitude (if it were a relatively short period - say 2 years or less)?
There is no way to inquire as to the exact reason for visa denial or is it on some sort of point system per response to the items on the visa questionnaire.
It does seem unfair to have the application rejected but not told the reason why.
Oh, Brin, I am SO sorry! It truly seems unjust and unfair. I don't know if there's an appeal process, I do know that you can try again but I don't know how long in between applications it is necessary to wait. And of course every time it's over $100. Congratulations on the upcoming "blessed event."
Mandi
My first assumption that "She" does not like the idea that you are married to an Egyptian (or basically an Arab)
Second assumption, that she assumed that your husband did marry you for the sake of citizenship, and once he is in the State, he will never leave (not to mention that you are having your baby, his future baby too, in the states)
And as you said, it might be that she wakes up on the wrong side of a bed.
But there should be a higher authority to talk to, I guess