Immigration
to the United States often requires the use of a visa issued by
an American
embassy or consulate overseas. The Department of State Bureau
of Consular Affairs maintains a web site that applicants for
visas, as well as their petitioners in the United States, should
find helpful.
A family member, friend or potential
employee will need a visa to enter the United States. Visit the Visa
Services section for a description of immigrant and nonimmigrant
visas that are available, and to download certain application forms to your printer.
Examples of visa inquiries Senator Kyl can make
on behalf of constituents:
“My family member was denied a visa to come
visit me in the United States, but he was not told why his visa
was denied.”
Senator Kyl can send an inquiry to the post overseas
asking why the visa was denied.
For your information: The most common reason visitor visas
are denied is that the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence
that he or she is not an intended immigrant. The applicant must
show he or she will return home after the visit by providing proof
of ties to the home country. Some examples of documents which
can be used to prove ties are rent receipts, utility bills, letters
from employers, and bank statements.
“The immigrant visa petition I filed for
my wife has been approved by the INS, but I have heard nothing
further.”
After the INS approves an immigrant petition, it
is forwarded to the National Visa Center, which is responsible
for processing the affidavits of support associated with immigrant
petitions. Then the case will be sent to the American Embassy
or Consulate overseas which conducts the interview with the beneficiary
and, if approved by the consular officer, issues the visa. Senator
Kyl can inquire with the NVC or the post overseas as to the status
of your petition.
“It is taking too long to immigrate my spouse.
Can’t Senator Kyl tell the Consulate to issue the visa?”
It is not within Senator Kyl’s jurisdiction
to tell an agency what to do. The agency must abide by the law and all applicable federal regulations. Moreover, it would not be fair for Senator
Kyl to ask the agency to process your application ahead of all
the others filed before yours. If there is a genuine emergency,
there are established procedure for requesting expedited processing.
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