Can My American Friend Help?

• I have letters of guarantee that I will return to China. Why isn't that considered to be enough proof that I actually will return?

• If I am refused a visa, would it help to have a high ranking official or an American friend contact the embassy?

 I have letters of guarantee that I will return to China. Why isn't that considered to be enough proof that I actually will return? 

A guarantee letter, like other forms of written documentation, will be considered by the interviewing officer. However, a letter, by itself, does not establish the applicant's ties to a permanent residence outside of the United States. Similarly, pledges from highly placed persons that an applicant will return to China do not automatically enable the applicant to overcome section 214(b). This is because U.S. law does not permit visa officers to delegate to others their authority to evaluate the applicant's actual overall circumstances.

If I am refused a visa, would it help to have a high ranking official or an American friend contact the Embassy?

No. United States law assigns the responsibility for issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. They have the final say on all visa cases. Additionally, United States law is designed to insulate the decisions in visa cases from outside influences. An applicant can influence a reversal of a prior refusal only through presentation of new convincing evidence of strong ties.