US VISA

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US VISA

By: kathrina14Subscribe Channel: News Monday, Oct 18 , 10 at 7:14 PM
66 Comments

I recently applied for my US Non-Immigrant visa and got turned down. I questioned myself and others as to what I did not demonstrated strong 'ties' to my country (Trinidad and Tobago). I read the 'frequently asked questions' list that was served by the consular to me and it still did not make sense to me as to why I was turned down.

I am employed full time to a Government Organisation, in which I have a decent salary, plus travelling. Also, I am employed at the Univesity of the West Indies as a Part-Time Tutor. I am aslo Pursuing a Masters in Science Degree in Sociology at the Univesity of the West Indies. In order to pursue my tertiary studies in Trinidad and Tobago I have access to Government Assistance in Tertiary Education Programme(G.A.T.E.). By accessing this Programme I am obligated to work in Trinidad and Tobago for the five (5) years for the least, in order to repay the Government.

I am also engaged to be married on June 2011. We have already paid 50% downpayment on the Hall rental (In which I have the reciept).

I applied for vacation during the christmas break in order to visit my uncle and aunt in New Jersey. Honestly, I want to experience snow in December and I wanted to shop for my wedding dress and favors. I have travelled to several Caribbean countries and I thought I would be able to travel to the US since I have 'ties' in Trinidad and Tobago.

Addtionally, I currently live with my mother, where I am the main breadwinner of the household.

I tried to show the consular that I have several 'ties' in Trinidad and Tobago and I do not intend on Migrating to the US. However, they stated that they did not want to see any of my documents, then went on to tell me that I do not have enough 'ties' and I do not qualify for a US non-Immigrant visa.

I intend to re-apply for my non-immagrant visa in the future. I want to know what were the reasons I was turned down initially? What is wrong with the 'ties' I have? Would I be turned down again if I still have the same 'ties'?

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Get A Clue!3 says ... on Wednesday, Apr 3 at 11:11 AM

to you,, all things cost so there has to bee fees to cover these expenses..DYH!!!!

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Get A Clue!2 says ... on Wednesday, Apr 3 at 11:10 AM

Who have to investigate each application,, who pays the light bill, water all the employees,, Come on use your brains,, all these things cost money so just like most welfare recipients you all dont realize not everything in life is going to be handed

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Get a CLUE! says ... on Wednesday, Apr 3 at 11:08 AM

Hello, I an an American living in Colombia, My Colombian GF just texted me from the US EMbasy in Bogota,, She was denied a US Visa,, :-( this really bums me out.. But I dont expect money back because the money pays the people who work there

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twinkie says ... on Wednesday, Nov 21 at 4:22 PM

they said that the assesment is done before you have your interview based on the information you put online when you fill out the application.Thats why they never asked to see your docs because they already knew they were not granting you the visa...

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very unfair says ... on Thursday, Nov 1 at 8:03 PM

Got turned for the second time. The officer did not even look at my supporting documents. I have a permanent job, good salary and I just wanted to take a vacation. It is really unfair.

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americantrini says ... on Friday, Feb 24 at 9:36 AM

hey the usa is not what ppl say it is ...if you dont have a job you cant live here...its' bills non stop ....i am sure thsi girl dont want this..

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who cares says ... on Monday, Jul 25 at 7:56 AM

the gov't of the day don't care an our harding working people who put them there to serve the people have failed time has come to get them out of gov't an get people who can do the job

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just be positive says ... on Sunday, Jul 10 at 11:25 AM

it is unfair to Trinidadian nationals who just want to visit other places and experience different people and cultures.US citizens can go anywhere in the world.....i'lll try again

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aveanca says ... on Tuesday, Jun 21 at 9:58 PM

It is very hard to come up with the money to get a non-immigrant visa, only to be turned away minus the money. What are they doing with the money? I think Trini's should come together and do something, USA big, but GOD is bigger!

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The Voice says ... on Sunday, Jun 5 at 12:01 AM

It is never about anything else but the money. The US is the only country that collects so much revenue from both immigration and migration. it is shameful. sometimes u just want 2 xplore your horizons not everyone wants 2 live in America. Refund now

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steupssss says ... on Thursday, May 5 at 11:57 AM

Dey playin' up in dey @zz!!

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Mesue husband says ... on Saturday, Jan 29 at 11:30 AM

Was in the same position as illegal things was hard divorced my no good trini wife got married to US citizen now i am a resident could come back to trini anytime i desire. Keep trying America is nice all over

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Anonymous says ... on Wednesday, Dec 29 at 5:22 AM

she is getting married in June 2011, what she doing staying in America illegally to work as a nanny or maid when she has an education that allows her to work at the University. Not everyone wants to live in uncle Sam country ok miss BROOKLYN.

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foreverfriends says ... on Wednesday, Dec 29 at 5:18 AM

brooklyn seems u forget part of where u are from. USA is not the best place to live, I know, I have lived there and would not again, now live in Canada. Not fair that this lady paid her money and to me she meets the criteria for the "ties",

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Mr Stienbock says ... on Wednesday, Dec 8 at 7:20 PM

they next time you go put a smile on your face ,They always look at your personalty. how i no because am a immigration officer.

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MarriedToATrini says ... on Friday, Nov 12 at 10:52 PM

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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awakeneing says ... on Friday, Nov 12 at 3:10 AM

Brooklyn wat U talkin about!americans are the biggest abuser s of the welfare system!in a nation with 300 million ppl how many Trinidadians are on Welfare,plz do tell me!I visit the USA frequently.

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k says ... on Friday, Nov 12 at 3:01 AM

America portray themselves as the USA biggest of this and that, best of this and that, but they dont want to give visas to CERTAIN people to come see it. Analyse that. The clerks in the embassy are dumbos. I have black USA friends and they are scared

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Anonymous says ... on Tuesday, Nov 9 at 11:49 PM

its so unfair!gosh!

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Digusted with US attitude says ... on Tuesday, Nov 9 at 4:41 PM

It is fraud to accept money for services not rendered! No visas means return the dam money of the persons to whom visas were refused. How can our govenment tolerate that they treat us like this! Boycot them!

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no fan says ... on Tuesday, Nov 9 at 4:39 PM

We are the puppets they love to watch suffer and just with the stroke of a pen or according to their whims and fancies decide to give us a visa or not without explanation.. That is not a fair attitude and rather extortion of monies.Fraud!

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CS again says ... on Saturday, Nov 6 at 10:21 PM

Sorry, that saying was " If you can't pay, don't go".

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cs again says ... on Saturday, Nov 6 at 10:18 PM

for their time. It's business. My Trinidadian mother always said " If you can pay don't go". Rules are rules...why should Trinidadians be the exception to this rule? Wake up!!!!

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CS says ... on Saturday, Nov 6 at 10:16 PM

I have lived n the US for 33 yrs. One year in NY...never again. However, there are so many wonderful places, with people from all over the world. Do not be trapped by your small view of the US or the world.Business is business, someone have to pay.

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DS says ... on Saturday, Nov 6 at 9:13 PM

panama is a nice place to shop... just like in the states. currency is US$ across there, so it's the closest thing to the states. and u know what the best part is? You don't need a visa to go there! brush up on your spanish while you're there too :-)

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trini@heart says ... on Saturday, Nov 6 at 7:30 AM

The issue is TIES! A LOT of Ties at home but NO Ties in the US! It's a scam for the US to charge a fee for a visa but then turn you down. It's the same in Jamaica. They charge for visa and also turn people down with NO Refunds!

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oh please says ... on Friday, Nov 5 at 11:00 AM

everything is about money

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Judes..US. says ... on Thursday, Nov 4 at 10:49 AM

I would like to give some advise.Get an invitation letter froma friend or relative, get married ,they want to make certain you don't come to the US single.The US is very nice,I love it here. I leftTrinidad in 1992 and has never regretted it goodluck

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wildflower says ... on Thursday, Nov 4 at 5:59 AM

in case you're wondering, i am Trini here since 16 (F) now 33, and living a very productive life US is no joke you either make it or break here..please when you come here be productive, have faith, think positive don't fight obstacles.embrace it

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wildflower says ... on Thursday, Nov 4 at 5:52 AM

part 2.. let the "Friend" invite you to visit the US and claim to handle all expense and "friend" must have a reliable US address YOu mention visiting relatives and you will get turn down!!!!!! Trust me i know!!!

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Wildflower says ... on Thursday, Nov 4 at 5:49 AM

One mistake is you told them you going to visit your relatives Who was residents of trini left never returned only to become residents of the US..learned from good sources IF you say you going to visit a FRIENDlet them write you an invitation letter

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Go Somewhere else says ... on Wednesday, Nov 3 at 9:26 AM

The US is over rated....why yuh aint go Margarita or somewhere else to shop instead? Don't worry your head over these US officials.

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des says ... on Wednesday, Nov 3 at 3:29 AM

I think its time the US visa dept in TT, decide the quantiative parameters in statistics of what is the meaning of "ties toTT" and "no ties to TT". The writer's attributes, education,job, and wedding planned and a vision, could get points to judge.

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BROOKLYN says ... on Tuesday, Nov 2 at 12:26 PM

Rockstar Trini, if that is how you feel about the US, if you know they don't want people here, then just leave it for people like myself who went to college free (paid for by the US federal gov't) @ age 45 yrs, and got 3 degrees. GO HOME THEN. GOODBY

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trinifuhso says ... on Monday, Nov 1 at 9:21 AM

Never give up on your goals in life, even if all the odds seem stacked against you!!

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USA Nice MAN !! says ... on Sunday, Oct 31 at 4:24 AM

If you can find the time to go beyond Brooklyn, Queens, or Miami you will find lots of great Tourist Attractions. I personally visited the Grand Canyons and it was a wonder to Behold bigger than Trinidad and Tobago ! USA Nice just travel around.

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dr. in nyc says ... on Saturday, Oct 30 at 2:27 PM

yuh not missin anything, US is sooooo overrated!!!

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rockstar trini says ... on Saturday, Oct 30 at 11:30 AM

the usa dont want people in there contry i should know i live hear and it is an new law ever year on immigrtion so all i have to say is keep your money and try for canada visa because the us is not most people think it should be

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TJ says ... on Friday, Oct 29 at 1:24 PM

It's a pity that some Trinis think that it is a race issue; the traditional excuse. Even in our own govenment bureaucy we see a lack of common sense ; rules and regulations are enforced without thought to the specific circumstance. Hang tough.

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BROOKLYN says ... on Thursday, Oct 28 at 10:28 PM

All you Trinis who complaining about why you doh get yuh visas. Newsflash !!!! lots of trinis come to the US and make children then go on the system (welfare) and I am fed up of mining illegals and their children.

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MarriedToATrini says ... on Thursday, Oct 28 at 5:31 PM

Trini's over stay their visas! Just go to queens. How do I know? I married one!

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Kei1987 says ... on Thursday, Oct 28 at 12:07 PM

I am saddened by this report, for years now Trinidadian people have been treated unfairly by the international community, making it very clear that there is a functioning hierarchy of citizenship. The German embassy functions even more prejudicially.

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Trini In Saudi-Arabia says ... on Thursday, Oct 28 at 5:56 AM

We should demand that Americans get a visas to visit Trinidad. We let them come and live like Kings and Queens in our country ans treat them like they are GOD...because we still have the Colonialistic attitude that whiteman is god.

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Illegal !!!! says ... on Thursday, Oct 28 at 2:28 AM

Right now i wish i was home cause it aint no bed of roses here being illegal, de economy really bad , wuk hard to get, but is only de shame tuh face meh friends and family why i aint leave yet.Same problem fuh alot ah trinis.Keep the faith my friend

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Jim says ... on Wednesday, Oct 27 at 1:25 PM

And I am pretty sure you are going to apply again. SMH!! The US obviously do not care about Trinis, but yet you guys flock there in numbers. There are many other countries just like it not better than The US. Time to wake up my fellow Trinidadians

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Dexter says ... on Tuesday, Oct 26 at 9:55 PM

Got my visa in Barbados, no problem. We are being denied due to the crime rate in Trinidad and the amount of Trinidadians who go to the US and fail to return or end up in jail.

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lisa says ... on Tuesday, Oct 26 at 5:36 PM

visa what visa they only tring to keep us down try again but pray first....

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do like brazil says ... on Monday, Oct 25 at 10:17 PM

visa required for Americans

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Ms J says ... on Monday, Oct 25 at 5:43 PM

I honestly believe people should be refunded half of their money when they are turned down for a visa for travel to the USA. The only reason I cannot see this happening is because the T&T Government is getting a part of the money and not saying.

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expart says ... on Sunday, Oct 24 at 8:40 PM

When will people leave their life at home, or where it belongs and stop letting other people suffer for there problems that is not professonal!!

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Anonymous says ... on Saturday, Oct 23 at 8:20 PM

I think the gov't should get involed in this visa issuse, alot of people are getting denied a visitor visa. NY haven't much to offer anyway now with its economy. Trinidad need to protest about this and yes they have a quota to make

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Elroy says ... on Saturday, Oct 23 at 1:50 PM

business for the US, if the visa is denied your money should refunded, T&T and other governments should do something about all the $ that is given to the US for nothing, shop online if u trust the postal service or have your some 1 shop 4 U

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baccanal says ... on Saturday, Oct 23 at 8:32 AM

Why allow foreigners to migrate, live comfortably and work in your country and have these same individuals deny a visa to our own citizens to go to their country. It makes no sense and it is not fair.

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dvulcan says ... on Friday, Oct 22 at 8:49 AM

If you put America by my front door i start using the back door Idoes see enough snow in my TV.

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REAL WORLD says ... on Thursday, Oct 21 at 9:05 PM

there are so much more beautiful places on this earth than U S of A ,, u want snow go to venezula merida real real snow an u can shop for ur wedding in venezula or colombia for half the price .....why would i want to go to a failed economy ...

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Jillian says ... on Thursday, Oct 21 at 2:03 PM

hhhhhmmm and they have no conscious to refund we back ,,,that is wickedness poor people smh ..

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rene says ... on Thursday, Oct 21 at 9:51 AM

why would anyone want to migrate to the US when they live in heaven.....TRINIDAD

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trini fighter says ... on Thursday, Oct 21 at 6:41 AM

the us government are robbing us trinis blind for visas .

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non sense says ... on Wednesday, Oct 20 at 12:37 PM

i went to Re- Apply for my U.S visa and was turned down. now i had already visited new york but still was turned down. im sooooo confused and can't beleive all that money went down the drain.

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indigold says ... on Wednesday, Oct 20 at 7:03 AM

RIDICULOUS

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I have the answer says ... on Tuesday, Oct 19 at 8:09 PM

You have to go to Mexico and jump the fence. You will then have a better chance. The reason when you were turn down is that they need the money.

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mello says ... on Tuesday, Oct 19 at 8:04 PM

you would be handed a visa no question asked if you are from a spanish speaking country or from haiti or africa. other than that forget it. these people arrived and are given welfare, housing , jobs and schooling for six months.

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Anonymous says ... on Tuesday, Oct 19 at 5:17 PM

hi, my advice to you would be to write to the Consular stating your case. I know this has helped several persons who were discriminated against. My husband was turned down for a transit visa because of his name but was later granted a visa.

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Ah Trini Too says ... on Tuesday, Oct 19 at 12:42 PM

One have to remember that the people at the window are regular folks like you and me, and if they are having a bad day...then you're screwed, even worse, if they are silently prejudiced in thinking.

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KAZ says ... on Tuesday, Oct 19 at 8:45 AM

The criteria used is very subjective in determining "TIES" TIES IMPLIES THAT YOU ARE "TIED DOWN"AND UNABLE TO MOVE. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD SEND HOME SOME OF THOSE ILLEGALS THAT HAVE OVERSTAYED THEIR VISITORS VISA.HERE IN NEW YORK CITY.

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YOU WILL GET IT NEXT TIME says ... on Monday, Oct 18 at 8:33 PM

They like to play games... psychological games! or they had reached their quota. Just try again, and don't fret.

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