Bombay: Parents visitor visa denied

[cnewsgrp]

I used path2usa as a guide and did complete paperwork from my side.
This is how interview went: (CS = Consular Officer PA = Parents)
CS>You have mentioned retired in application form are you retired?
PA>Yes, I am semi retired. My son supports us financially. I do some business to keep myself busy.

CS> What was your income?
PA> <<< A SMALL AMOUNT>>

CS> We are denying your Visa?
PA> But, why does the income matter. We are retired and I have documents that my son is supporting a trip.

CS> (Rudely) Do not argue ....
<TRANSLATER> You need a minimum income of 5 lakhs to visit

The entire interview completed in 3 mins. Consular officer did not even give a chance to my dad to argue his case. Visa is denied is because income with the reason "insufficient income".

My question to forum members is that is low income a valid rejection reason for retired persons?

To add more background to the process, my parents have visited before on a 6 month visa and have returned back to India in 4 months.

Also there were 12 persons in the queue and ALL of them were denied visa, some of them did not even get a chance to speak.

Need advice, what should I do next time(next date is in September)?
Note: All documents mentioned in the web site were submitted. My parents have visited before and returned in time with a valid visa. This guy was pre-determined not to give any tourist visa's that day.

Note2: After I heard the news I send a strong email to Mumbai consulate. The note is strong not abusive basically says that I have submitted so and so docs. Please let me know what I need to submit to get a visa for my parents, At the same time It is unacceptable to me that my parents cannot visit me. Can this cause problems in future applications?

[ronline]

shld not have been denied the visa in this case as visas have been approved for applicants in similar situations.
u can try again - with all docs and an affid/letter stating that the applicants will return on time as done earlier.


Can never predict with certainty what the interviewing officer decides.

[cnewsgrp]

Thanks for the reply.

My basic contention was that the visa officer never even bothered to look at the document. He was decided on denial. My father asked him to look at the docs, he refused(rudely).

Anyway, I send couple of emails to Mumbai consulate email address complaining about the interview and visa officer indirectly. I got a canned reply from them. Any chance that can affect my parents in next interview?

[mitushib]

In no uncertain terms they will keep a record of the emails you have snet and it may be translated as a desperation [to them suspicious] to get ur folks to USA. Even though on paper it sounds absurd but the consulate office who takes the interview has absolute say on why he rejects the visa and cannot be questioned.

The low income reason for rejection is that he thinks you parents do not have enough financial ties to the country and hence may not want to come back. Show some more money in you fathers accounts; proprty papaer; shares, bonds etc. That may convince the officer. Your emails to the consulate will not help your case a bit instead it may worsent it.

[cnewsgrp]

Thanks for the advise. I will follow your advise and leave it there.

Any harm done by two emails? The language was not abusive and not harsh, but I did make my point.

Anyway, its been few days since the denial and anger has sort off cooled off.

Anyone with personal experiance about email causing issues?

[mehulnp]

My parents got visa from mumbai consulate , on 31st May

They were also asked similar question.
1 When did you retired
2. from which company u retired

I think you should not say semi retire , just say retire thats it do not let them dig in more saying doing any part time buisness to keep busy , working from home etc etc

They did not lok at any documents.......Did you visited ur fmly couple of time after you came to USA ?

My parents told me there were 5 people ahead of him all of them were rejected.

Do not argue with officer , answer sensibly and with confidence and leave it up to luck......

Hope next time they would get the visa..

[cnewsgrp]

Thanks.

What you say makes sense. I will do that next time.

To answer your question. My parents visited me 2001. Since then I have visited them twice.

Many people are telling we that getting into a line with gujarati interpreter is not a good idea.
Any substance to that?

My parents are not comfortable enought in english to speak with an english visa officer directly.

[mehulnp]

Its not true.....

I belive you should always have the interpreter if one is not able to communicate directly with visa officer in english comfortably.

Even though my parents knew english i had an interpreter as ascent of visa officer may not be understood.

I did not have any problem..