As a nonimmigrant visa applicant (O-1, B-1/B-2, TN), you must demonstrate that you have “ties to home country,” such as your job, home, and family and friends. In this post, learn about the documentation you'll need to demonstrate "ties to home country." Thank you to our partner Argo for collaborating on this post!
Under section 214(b) of U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, as a nonimmigrant visa applicant (e.g., O-1, B1/B2, or TN), you must demonstrate that you have a residence in a foreign country that you have no intention of abandoning. This requirement is commonly known as “ties to home country”.
“Ties” are “what bind you to your home country”, such as your job, home, and family and friends. To sufficiently demonstrate that you have strong ties to your home country, you have to be prepared to discuss them all at your visa interview with the Consular Officer. Framing your ties and discussing them in an engaging and relevant way is important to help the Consular Officer understand you. If you say too little or do not say enough, it may impact whether your visa is approved or refused.
Luckily, you don’t have to do this alone or be prepared by someone without the relevant expertise. Legalpad has a special partnership with Argo, a company of former Consular Officers who specifically help international citizens prepare for their consular interviews. As a result, every beneficiary can practice their interviewing skills with an expert who has interviewed thousands of people at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas. They will give you the tools to be effective at this important interview. Since 1 in 4 international citizens face problems at their visa interview overseas, we recommend for every client with an upcoming visa interview to have a former Consular Officer evaluate their case and help them prepare for this important interview.
While documents are not important during the visa interview, it is helpful to bring the following documents, just in case the Consular Officer asks to see them. There are the documents we would recommend you bring:
- Recent pay stubs from employment in your home country
- Bank statements showing your financial stability
- I-94 travel document with travel history to and from your home country
- If you have your own company, evidence of business visit reason in the U.S. such as conference attendance, business meeting, and evidence of your own business in your home country
- Proof of real estate
If You’re Denied Due to Lack of “Ties to Home Country"
In the unlikely event that you are denied your visa because you did not satisfy the requirements to demonstrate “ties to home country,” you may follow these steps to secure a visa stamp:
- Contact your Legalpad team to request a consultation with a former Consular Officer from Argo. They will help you understand the reason for your denial and whether you should re-apply immediately or wait. This will depend on your personal circumstances. The Argo Officer will give you a strategy and next steps for moving past your visa denial.
- If appropriate and recommended by your Argo Officer, schedule a new visa appointment. You will need to complete a new DS-160, pay a new MRV fee, and select an appointment time on the consular website.
We hope these tips will support you through your visa stamping process, and we wish you the best of luck on your U.S. immigration journey!
