Dear Consular General,
“On Each Applicant Being Treated Fairly and On Their Own Merit”
My name is XYZ MD, a Medical Doctor working in a federal government hospital in Nigeria; I applied for an American non immigration visa and attended the interview on Tuesday (21/07/2015) at the Lagos consular office (Passport Number: A06712115 and Confirmation No: AA0054JJQO).
The purpose of which I intend to visit the US is both academic and humanitarian. I had planned to attend a medical conference themed “Difficult Fractures around the World” that will take place in Richland, Washington, September 16-19, 2015; a comprehensive discussion on treatment of difficult fractures all over the world.
SIGN (Surgical Implant General Network), the organizers and sponsors of this annual conference also give free intramedullary nail for treatment of poor patients with long bone fractures and I am fully involved in this free treatment in my country.
While waiting in one of the transient area at your embassy I noticed where it was boldly written that ‘we know some are nervous because this is their first visa interview, but they should be assured each applicant will be treated fairly and on their own merit’ (I might not have used the exact words!!).
However, to my greatest surprise the gentle lady who interviewed me appeared to lose interest when she realized I have not travelled before. She even used my supposedly strong points against me; monthly income and being a resident doctor.
She demanded to know why I have not travelled before despite my bulky monthly income, I told her I am very busy because of my training program as an Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, the relevance she seemed not to understand. This I believed should have counted in my favor for the purposes of my US visa application. Moreover, the culture of travelling starts one day, why not with United States.
While studying the major criteria for granting of non immigrant visa: the purpose of travelling (mentioned above), ties in Nigeria that will ensure I return and the financial ability to afford the trip and stay in the United States and perhaps most importantly not being a risk to your country’s interests; I strongly believe my application should have been granted without issues.
I have a good and enviable career with Federal Medical Centre, a tertiary hospital and one of the best of its kind in Nigeria. My gross monthly a salary is #xxx,xxx (about $x,xxx)
I am member of West Africa College of Surgeons and due for fellowship examination early next year after 6 years as a resident (This I would never jeopardize for an unknown future in the US). Even if am given stay permit in your country, it will take me a minimum of 10 years to get to where I am today in my country.
Additionally, I am married with two children, I have 2 cars and landed properties in two different towns (one of them is presently being developed). You can say I belong to upper class in my country, this is a comfort zone obtained after many years of hard work which I will never throw away.
Above all, I was never given the chance to discuss or prove most of these highlighted facts during the interview.
Lastly, I have devoted all my life to serving humanity and helping people get well. I have no family, or friends in the USA and I am definitely not flight or health risk. I believe I was not treated fairly.
I have made this complaint so that my case can be revisited if possible.
Thank you.
Dr. XYZ
Thank you for your email, your concerns are noted.
We do not have an appeal process. Applicants must wait at least ninety days to reapply. However, we strongly recommend that applicants only reapply if they believe that their circumstances have changed or they are able to present additional, compelling evidence of their socioeconomic ties to Nigeria or their reason for travel to the United States. Evidence may come in many forms, but when considered together, must be enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that the applicant's overall circumstances, including social, family, economic and other ties abroad, will compel him or her to leave the United States at the end of a temporary stay. “Ties” are the various aspects of life that bind one to one's place of residence, such as family relationships, employment and possessions. As each person’s situation is different, there is no single answer as to what constitutes adequate ties. Eligibility determinations for non-immigrant visa applications are made on the basis of the information presented by the applicant at the time of the interview. Refusals under Section 214(b) cannot be appealed or overturned, but they are not permanent. If the applicant is unable to establish eligibility to the satisfaction of the adjudicating officer, his or her only recourse is to reapply.
We regret any inconvenience this decision may have caused you. If you choose to reapply in the future, our practice is to have a different officer handle the interview if possible.
We hope this answers your questions.
Sincerely,
Correspondence Unit (TMI)
US CONSULATE GENERAL
LAGOS, NIGERIA