Hi, I am a Filipino citizen and works as a Finance Analyst for a big conglomerate in Manila. I recently got married with my Austrian boyfriend for 2 years last December 2005. I applied for a fiance visa a month prior to our wedding (November 7, 2005). It took awhile (2 months) for the Austrian Embassy in Manila to process my visa application. Two weeks ago, I received a letter from the Embassy stating that I have not proved convincingly that I have a strong affiliation in the country that I am living now and that I might not return after my visa has expired.

In response, I made a conclusive statement that we have gotten married in December. I applied for a 90-day visa so that my husband and I can live and enjoy our marriage together in Austria while the Austrian Foreign Affairs is processing my residence permit. I submitted additional documents such as our marriage certificate, additional financial and bank info, and my employment certificate to prove that I am gainfully employed, as well as my husband's business permit in Austria.

This week, after 2 months and 20 days of waiting, I found out that my visa application was denied. I called the embassy and asked for an explanation as to the denial of my visa application. The visa officer said that the embassy can not divulge such info.

This is a big concern for me. As a wife of an Austrian and EU citizen, what are my rights and privileges, if there is any? On what ground/s could have the embassy denied my application? I have complied religiously to the embassy's requirements: medical, documentary and financial; if there are other requirements, can you please state what are the other requirements of the Austrian embassy for tourist and residence visas?

I am in the dark here. And it seems that the Austrian visa officers in the Philippines are rejecting visa applications for the wrong reasons. My husband and I wish to start and live our lives together. Please shed some light on this note.

Thanks!