anoparin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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Hi everyone,
I am a Russian IMG living and working in SA for the last 8 months. I have passed first 2 steps last year and registered for Step 2 CS for 21 of May in Atlanta. March 24 traveled to Joburg for B1/2 visa interview just to sit for the exam and come back. However they refuse me visa because "you have no strong enough ties either here in South Africa, or there in Russia: no permanent job here (though I am on a 3-year contract), no family, no property, no permanent residence - nothing..."
Presently I work as a physician (8 years experience) and earn slightly more that a US medical/surgical resident. To me to pursue postgraduate education illegally and leaving my present status and job, where I get more money than many respectable Americans, for dishwashing in an American bar doesn’t make any sense. And I cannot understand why the interviewing official did not see this as clearly as I did. I applied just for the exam and interview trips. But they have their own logic.
So it was not taken into account. From immigration point of view I was found ineligible even for tourist visa to sit for an exam. So the plans are ruined, money are lost and US becomes unreachable until my status changes (in a few years at best). At present I am abiding in a pretty philosophical frame of mind ). Anyone in my shoes here? Any advice: what to do next?
And another question. Was it my mistake that I indicated this exam as a reason for the US travel? Should I do it next time? Why I am asking is because the consular officer seemed to be very concerned about my future plans: "Are you going to work or study in the US?" "No, I am not. Only to sit for this exam." "Even if not, all the same it seems to be your final goal?" He was so desperately pointing at the word "ECFMG" on my application and shaking his head that now I am starting to understand that this was definitely one of the causes for refusal. What do you think? What am I to do next time. Is it possible/advisabe for me to find some other legitimate excuse for travel, say a conference, next time I am going to apply or it doesn't make any difference??
Thanks,
Alex
Pietersburg, South Africa
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| yelenatx
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 148
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My classmate got into the same situation at US cousulate in Moscow several years ago. She filed an appeal, had a personal sobesedovanie with the consul, and finally was granted a visa to come to USA for residency interview. I can ask her what exactly she wrote in her appeal if you are interested.
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| anoparin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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"yelenatx" wrote:
My classmate got into the same situation at US cousulate in Moscow several years ago. She filed an appeal, had a personal sobesedovanie with the consul, and finally was granted a visa to come to USA for residency interview. I can ask her what exactly she wrote in her appeal if you are interested.
I am really very interested and would be grateful to you if you could do it. Please go ahead.
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| yelenatx
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 148
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"anoparin" wrote:
I am really very interested and would be grateful to you if you could do it. Please go ahead.
That's all she wrote to me:
When I was denied a visa, I wrote a letter of appeal to the main
embassy official. That was the procedure at that point. I am not sure if that option is still available. If not, he can apply for the visa again, but he'll have to pay the fee again, too.
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| anoparin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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Hello Lena,
I am not sure about legitimacy of such a move in my case - they don't mention this option. So most probably I will just try to reapply in some time with new evidence to my advantage. Thank you for support.
Regards,
Alex
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| gballarino
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 96
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I am from argentina, and i had to apply for a b1 visa last november 2004 when i traveled to atlanta for my CS exam.
I have no job. No wife nor kids. No bank account. No belongings further than my sthetoscope. I am currently a IM resident in Argentina, and as such I just make a few hundreds a month.
The only thing I produced when asked about my trip at the embassy was the letter that the ECFMG writes to "whom it may concern" explaining the nature of the exam and asking to the consular official to expedite my visa issuance, and a letter from the person that was going to host me in the US. The consular official was surprinsingly kind and she even wished me luck with the exam!!!
Needless to say... I went to the US, took my exam, stayed a few weeks for interviews, and came straight back. I guess that previous trips to the US on B visas helped. I have 3 entrances to the US in my records... never had any problems whatsoever with immigration.
Interviewing must be a really subjective experience for interviewers... I'm not sure there's something like a "rule of thumb" to pass the interview.
Right now... I am in the middle of a true burocratic NIGHTMARE. I did well on my exams, and I even got an off-the-match contract with a hospital for an IM residency program. I am in the middle of applying to a J1 visa sponsorship by the ECFMG, and they ask for a ridicolous document called the "satement of need"... THE GOVERNEMENT OF MY COUNTRY PLAINLY REFUSES TO SIGN A DOCUMENT THAT STATES THAT WE NEED DOCTORS TO BE TRAINED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. Pure "foreign state policy burocratic bulls..."
So... now, I have everything set to go, except a little tiny detail... THE VISA!!!!!
It seems like I am finding a faint light on the other side of the tunnel... appeal after appeal after appeal I am begining to get to the minister of health and I will probably change his mind to this respect. I wonder If I'll make it on time.... damn it.
The statement of need that he WILL sign lacks the paragraph where it reads "there currently is in Argentina a need for trained doctors in the specialty of Internal medicine". Lets see how good is that for ECFMG.
___________________
Guillermo Ballarino
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| jaig5
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hello Alex,
You seemed to have had a really bad luck. Getting B1/B2 is many times a pure Luck factor, however a good preparation does go a long way. I was in a similar situation like you in Germany. I am originally from India and living in Germany. However I had prepared a good documentation of ties here (e.g. My appartment Contract, Husbands German Job Contract, Telephone bills, bank account, travel itinerary with return date, Your tax statement, A letter from your Employer indicating your vacation and short duration of trip, etc). Its another story that the visa officer did not see any of this documentation. And after few questions he granted the visa for 10 years.
We had anticipated this ECFMG question, given that its cryptic Acronym. We had taken the invitation letter from ECFMG, e-mail confirmation notice, etc. I had prepared for the questions and practised them with my husband, who acted as a visa officer. So I was very confident, when I actually faced the visa officer.
Its important that you sound confident and more important is not to show your desparation to go to USA. Please visit this website for more information on how to be prepare for this Visa interview.
http://www.immihelp.com/visas/visitor/interview.h...
Good Luck and if you need further help let me know.
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| jbk
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 37
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dear anoparin, I'm sorry about ur current situation. visa acceptance is different in each country, so I would say ur best bet would be to ask people around u there. nevertheless, i will share my experience. I was denied us visa 3x before I finally got one on the 4th try. the reason for denial was basically the same as yours. the thing that I did differently on the last try was that I came up with a letter of an american doctor saying that he will make sure my return upon completion of the exam. I also provided them with a letter from a professor in my hometown. and I prayed a lot too, BTW. it worked like miracle. the consular didn't even ask for my tie to my home country nor the reason of my past denials. hope this helps. feel free to contact me if you'd like to ask further questions. Benny
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| reet
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 152
Posts: 1,411
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jaig5 thanx for recommeding site............................
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