Seeking visa advice

My B2 visa application was denied few years ago in Vietnam on my Vietnam passport. Now I hold Thailand passport and live in Thailand. I want to apply B2 visa now in Thailand and don't to disclose about the previous denied visa incident on the visa application, since this may result in another denial. Will it be ok if I do this as I got a different country passport now? Will the embassy know about the previous denial and if they find out what are the penalties?

Looking for all your advice and comments.
Thanks.

Is there something wrong with telling the truth? If the embassy finds out (via $10,000,000 worth of computer equipment!) that you lied on your application, what do you think your chances of getting a B2 visa will be? Your credibility will have dropped to zero and then what? Are you going to "promise" to leave the US after a visit? If you lied on your application at the beginning of the interview, why should an embassy official believe your next 'promise'? Just tell the truth.

Thanks Anon for the comments.

The reason I don't want to disdclose my previous visa denial is that I will have a better chance of overcoming 214(b) denial. I was told by someone here that 214(b) denials are normally on embassy computer records for about 2 years only, after which they are automatically removed.
As my passport is different now, the embassy stamp in my previous passport also will not come into picture. Therefore the embassy cannot know about my previous denial. Does this sound convincing or is there a hole in my theory?

Any thoughts??

Why were you denied? That is the first question. Did you overcome the problem?

Just tell them the truth, you may or may not get the visa. It is all a chance anyway.

By the way, why did you switch passports? That sounds kind of shaky in itself?

Nevertheless, apply, make sure you have your paperwork together and pray.

Are you coming for a 1-3 month visit?

As long as you are just visiting and not trying to work here and live here illegally, have proof that you have strong ties to Thailand or wherever you are from, you should be okay.

Plus, I believe the US has better relations with Vietnam now anyway.

Goodluck

The INS has a $10,000,000 printer!!!!!! (piece of equipment......some joke).
Well they do print good readable visa's for dead terrorists dont they?
Go ahead and apply with your new passport,dont be scared when you appear for the interview,just go as normal as you can and you'll probably get it.

I said $10,000,000 worth of computer equipment, not a printer. And the State Dept did not print a visa for a dead terrorist; the INS delivered an approved change of status. Get your facts straight.
As far as what you (the person who wants to apply for a visa) want to say or write on your visa application, well, you decide. The truth or a lie? Follow the advice of those who think it is more fun to lie and if you are not successful, be sure and contact them for a letter of support!
But the application form I believe asks the question "Have you ever applied for a U.S. visa?"
What is the true answer to that question? It also asks "Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa?" What is the true answer to that question?

Thanks for the frank comments.

To answer Liz's comments:
I was originally denied visa under 214(b) in Vietnam. I didn't overcome the probelm and denied twice. Couple of years back I have taken up Thailand citizenship and therefore hold Thailand passport now (nothing fishy here!!). When I apply for B2 visa now, should I disclose about the previous visa denial? Thanks for your honest opinion.

To answer anon's comments:
Yes, I realize that the state department has expensive and extensive high tech. equipment and computers to keep records of the applicant. I also realize that one needs to tell the truth, but sometimes telling the truth doesn't get you anywhere, especially with US consul officers. They seem to want to hear right things always and quite arbitrary in making NIV visa decisions. That's why I don't want to disclose about my previous visa denial and apply as a new applicant with my Thailand passport. This gives me the best chance to succeed in getting the visa. My concern is, will my previous record still available in their computers (My previous visa denied in 1990 and around this time the state department computer systems and databae are not as sophisticated as they are now). Since it's a long time ago, I was hoping that the record is no longer available. Do you know anything about this? Appreciate your opinion.

Like Anon said......if the question is on the form, are you going to lie?
It's up to you. If they don't find out you were denied and you don't tell them, fine. If you don't tell them and they DO find out..you're in hot water.

I'm a big believer in honesty. It's really up to you, what are you going to do?

Well it looks as if this whole discussion has been exhausted and it all boils down to this: to tell the truth or not when applying.

Joshua, there's no need to keep guessing what can or cannot happen when you apply. You've been pretty much given suggestions and opinions and it is ultimately your decision on how you plan on applying. Don't get carried away with applying for a visa based on other people's suggestions (unless you know they are credible), as you may end up not wanting to be in the situation you don't want to be in. Just follow you instinct, be truthful and your whole process will work out in the end. Good luck!

Joshua: the consular officers are not, repeat not as stupid as you may think or hope. If you come clean, and state on your application that you applied and werer refused more than 10 years ago, they will be so amazed that someone was sooooo honest about this question that you will be an odds-on favorite to get the tourist visa, you won't believe it. BUT, if you lie and they find out, you are screwed...end of story, adios, syo nara, good-bye. Think about it.

If i were you I would be afriad to lie. Especially at the US empassy. They are extremely suspicious (especially in poor contries) and fierce if they catch you lying. I had been refused B1 once and I also spent sleeples nights when I applied for a H4, five years later. I usally am an honest person and you can tell from my face when I'm lying. But I wanted so much to get the visa. Finally I decided to tell them the truth and whatever will happen will be not be in my hands anymore. I felt more confident like that. The irony is that they already knew about it. It was in the same country with a different passport. I got my H4. But "my situation had changed since I first applied".
They mean it when they say you should't apply for a visa unless you situation has changed. Which I think it is the case for you. It all depends on how dear is to you a US visa and how much are you willing to risk it.
Good Luck and you decide.

Lia, you could not have said it better! Circumstances do change for people, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Oh well, that's life. But....if someone lies and gets caught, that person's "cirmcumstances" won't be worth anything in the embassy's eyes. Tell the truth and live with the results. Lie and you will be forced to live with the results ( and your results will be lousy for a long long time)...credibility cannot be repaired or replaced quickly. Think about it.

[silvado1]

It's up to you. If they don't find out you were denied and you don't tell them, fine. If you don't tell them and they DO find out..you're in hot water.

[dev199108]

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