Travel Visa for single russian females

[iamme9182 0]

I have a female friend in Russia that is looking to visit the US just as a tourist to see the country(definatly no marriage:) ). I read somewhere that is can be very difficult for a single female to get a travel visa because it is assumed they will be trying to find a husband and immigrate. Is this accurate? If so is there anything they can do to prove they do not intend to stay? She is still going to a university there, i don't know if that helps with anything but let me know if i need to provide more detail.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

It is very difficult to get a tourist visa in those circumstances.

Being in university with a letter saying when the next term starts and that she is enrolled will help, as will evidence of family and especially assets (own home, business) in Russia, but it will still be difficult.

[eekee 182]

Since she's still in university, she could always do work/travel.

[Artur_and_Hania 0]

I think it all depends on her financial well being, her assets, a bank account, etc. If she is financially stable she shouldnt have a problem obtaining a travel visa. Perhaps an invitation from a US relative would help.

[Ana&D 0]

Since she's still in university, she could always do work/travel.

Great idea! While getting a tourist visa is kinda rough for us, young females from former SU countries, she can always apply for J1 on Work&Travel program. I did it twice, and it was truly an amazing experience. You get to spend 4-5 months in the US, make enough money to pay for you travel expenses and of course what's the best way to experience the country other than live there? There are a lot of agencies in Russia offering this program, and I believe Nov-Dec. is a great time to start applying in order to find a great placement.

[1HappyGuy 45]

The difficulty is not just for women, but men also. A tourist visa is not too difficult if someone is a student with proof of continuing education and the time planned for a visit is between terms. An invitation by a friend, preferably of the same sex, goes a long way to reflecting that it is just a visit. Although the previously mentioned methods are also available, if a tourist visa is called for then try it. It does really help to show strong family ties in her home country and financial obligations in her home country.

If it was easy to get a visitor visa, there would be tons of ladies coming here just from the men willing to pay for their visit. That's a good thing for the American female, otherwise they wouldn't stand a chance of getting a man.

[Chuckles 0]

Humm, I have heard this too. I don't think it matters if you are male or female, it is hard for a young single Russian person to get a tourist visa without strong ties (good income back home, possesions, etc.)

Maybe a little too fixated on the female side of this? Anyone know?

[slim 1,530]

If it was easy to get a visitor visa, there would be tons of ladies coming here just from the men willing to pay for their visit. That's a good thing for the American female, otherwise they wouldn't stand a chance of getting a man.

OOooohh! Way to stir the pot!

[Brad and Vika 129]

The difficulty is not just for women, but men also. A tourist visa is not too difficult if someone is a student with proof of continuing education and the time planned for a visit is between terms. An invitation by a friend, preferably of the same sex, goes a long way to reflecting that it is just a visit. Although the previously mentioned methods are also available, if a tourist visa is called for then try it. It does really help to show strong family ties in her home country and financial obligations in her home country.

If it was easy to get a visitor visa, there would be tons of ladies coming here just from the men willing to pay for their visit. That's a good thing for the American female, otherwise they wouldn't stand a chance of getting a man.

I will leave the last comment alone , but an embassy Vice Consul in Eastern Europe did tell me once that unless there were exceptionally strong ties (like kids, property, etc.) he was under orders to turn down all tourist visa requests for men under 30 and women under 35 (to my recollection). He said that statistically speaking, they just don't come back - and Homeland Security doesn"t have the time or manpower to look for them.

[A_I_S 0]

I have a female friend in Russia that is looking to visit the US just as a tourist to see the country(definatly no marriage:) ). I read somewhere that is can be very difficult for a single female to get a travel visa because it is assumed they will be trying to find a husband and immigrate. Is this accurate? If so is there anything they can do to prove they do not intend to stay? She is still going to a university there, i don't know if that helps with anything but let me know if i need to provide more detail.

Being a university student automatically makes it possible for Work and Travel J1 visa, where the ridiculous "you no come here 'cause you marry here!" restrictions don't apply (I have no idea why...). This is literally how I met my wife...she was in the US on W&T working at the local Russian store where I resupply for sunflower seeds

J1 carries with it this interesting "no 2 year entry" clause that prohibits the passport holder from entering the US for 2 years, but for some reason it did does not apply to USC spouses. I called and checked with State Dept (they brought up her passport and said she's eligible to enter even within 2 years), in case your friend does decide to marry here.

This is her best chance. Being a university student with no real income or family ties means automatic rejection at the interview...don't even waste money on the train ticket to Moscow. My aunt who wanted to visit us in the states few years ago was told at the interview that she could not take her daughter with her to the states (my cousin was something like 14 at the time, in school). And she has been married for years, has a job, owns an appt, her husband is in the military...basically as non-immigrant as you can get. They still told her "Either you go by yourself, or both of you stay in Russia".

[Neonred 3,646]

J-1 visas are not automatic for a university student. There are restrictions, and a university student in their last year is not eligible. There are also restrictions on the dates you can apply and the months you can be in the US. My step-daughter was denied a J-1 visa because her mother lives here.

Tourist visas seem to be much easier to get from the consulates, but nearly impossible through the embassy in Moscow.

[Ana&D 0]

You guys are mixing J1 and F1 visas. While F1 is a student visa, J1 is an exchange visitor visa. Anyone from high school kid to working professional can get a J1 for a certain exchange program. While last year college students are not eligable for Work and Travel program they can get one for other programs. Moreover, one can get a J1 right after college graduation with not ties to the home country for a year long career training program. I know what I'm talking about just because of the hands-on experience (4 J1s in my portfolio, lol).

AIS your wife was spared the "212 E or Two-year home stay" rule simply because it does not apply to W&T program. If she was on the US government sponsored program like Muskie or UGRAD, the rule still would've applied. It's a matter of particular program requirements and marriage to USC doesn't change anything.

[Neonred 3,646]

You guys are mixing J1 and F1 visas. While F1 is a student visa, J1 is an exchange visitor visa. Anyone from high school kid to working professional can get a J1 for a certain exchange program. While last year college students are not eligable for Work and Travel program they can get one for other programs. Moreover, one can get a J1 right after college graduation with not ties to the home country for a year long career training program. I know what I'm talking about just because of the hands-on experience (4 J1s in my portfolio, lol).

AIS your wife was spared the "212 E or Two-year home stay" rule simply because it does not apply to W&T program. If she was on the US government sponsored program like Muskie or UGRAD, the rule still would've applied. It's a matter of particular program requirements and marriage to USC doesn't change anything.

I don't think there is any confusion here about the J-1 work and travel visa.

[Corey-Mariya 14]

I have a female friend in Russia that is looking to visit the US just as a tourist to see the country(definatly no marriage:) ). I read somewhere that is can be very difficult for a single female to get a travel visa because it is assumed they will be trying to find a husband and immigrate. Is this accurate? If so is there anything they can do to prove they do not intend to stay? She is still going to a university there, i don't know if that helps with anything but let me know if i need to provide more detail.

[Corey-Mariya 14]

I have a female friend in Russia that is looking to visit the US just as a tourist to see the country(definatly no marriage:) ). I read somewhere that is can be very difficult for a single female to get a travel visa because it is assumed they will be trying to find a husband and immigrate. Is this accurate? If so is there anything they can do to prove they do not intend to stay? She is still going to a university there, i don't know if that helps with anything but let me know if i need to provide more detail.

I have a female friend in Russia that is looking to visit the US just as a tourist to see the country(definatly no marriage:) ). I read somewhere that is can be very difficult for a single female to get a travel visa because it is assumed they will be trying to find a husband and immigrate. Is this accurate? If so is there anything they can do to prove they do not intend to stay? She is still going to a university there, i don't know if that helps with anything but let me know if i need to provide more detail.

My wife and I tried that when I was in Russia for the first rime before I filed for are k1 fiancee visa! She had her interview and they denied her. When she went she said she was going over to the usa to visit the cities and monuments. (even though are intention was to get married) They were very rude and told her they did not believe she studied at a university even though she brought lots of evidence with her. And they called her university a couple days after the ibterview to make sure she really was a student because if you provide false information you can have trouble. So it is possible but I would not advise it most likely a waste of time and money. So I flew home and applied for the k1 visa and it took 6 months but was not so bad because i visited russia for three months. (was very cold in the winter minus 30) It is almost impossible even if she goes to a university. If she goes over on a j1 and is going to a university, her odds are over 90 percent! Almost every single russian girl will be approved for it! But universities and agencies usually only do the visas in late spring.