Advice for friend's B-2 Visa

[LLBean 0]

I am a US citizen and I studied abroad this past semester. While I was there, I starting dating a local guy about my age. I've invited him to visit during my winter break from school, so he is going to apply for a B-2 Visitors Visa. He has no intention of staying in the United States, he just wants to visit. We don't want to get married or engaged now; I just want him to meet my family and learn how to ski (he's never seen real snow).

He has strong ties to his country (his family is well-off, he has a strong relationship with his parents, he owns a business). His father has come to the US several times on business, as well.

Would it help or hurt his chances of getting approved for a B-2 visa if he tells the consulate that he is in a relationship with a US citizen? I've heard conflicting information. I've read that it helps if a US citizen sends a letter of invitation, complete with the addresses he would be staying and the length of his visit. Yet, I have also read that being in a relationship with a US citizen could also imply an intent to immigrate and a non-immigrant visa. I'm still in college though, so I have no intention of marrying him. I only want him to visit.

He is also friends with some of the other US citizens who were studying abroad with me, although he wasn't planning on visiting them during this trip. Would it help if they also invited him to come visit so that his trip didn't look like he was just coming to see me, but instead to visit all his American friends?

He's nervous because he has some friends whose visa applications were rejected. At the same time, he has other friends whose applications were approved with minimal hassle. I understand the importance of the process, but it seems pretty arbitrary.

Any advice would help. Thank you!

[sachinky 465]

Tourist visas are always a ####### shoot. 50/50 chance of getting one.

He will need SIGNIFICANT and OVERWHELMING ties to his home country (where is he from?) in order to convince the CO that he will not overstay his welcome in the U.S.

Tourist visas are ultimately granted on the basis of the applicant's qualifications and not on the assurances or promises of an USC.

[LLBean 0]

He is from Egypt.

[sachinky 465]

A young, male beneficiary with a USC girlfriend from Egypt has almost no chance of obtaining a tourist visa.

He can always try. It's $131 a pop.

Edited June 21, 2010 by sachinky

[LLBean 0]

Ok, I figured he had a slim shot. So my question is, should he conceal the fact that he is in a relationship with an USC? Like I said, he has other American friends. If he says that he is going to visit 5 USCs that he met last spring, would he have a better chance than saying he's going to visit one USC with whom he is in a relationship. I mean, that's not a lie, he would like to visit the rest of our friends when he comes, but his main reason for coming is to see me.

Or does that really not affect much, at all? I appreciate your quick responses.

Edited June 21, 2010 by LLBean

[Boiler 45,585]

He tells the truth.

He only has the application fee at risk.

[Brian&Mel 0]

I am a US citizen and I studied abroad this past semester. While I was there, I starting dating a local guy about my age. I've invited him to visit during my winter break from school, so he is going to apply for a B-2 Visitors Visa. He has no intention of staying in the United States, he just wants to visit. We don't want to get married or engaged now; I just want him to meet my family and learn how to ski (he's never seen real snow).

He has strong ties to his country (his family is well-off, he has a strong relationship with his parents, he owns a business). His father has come to the US several times on business, as well.

Would it help or hurt his chances of getting approved for a B-2 visa if he tells the consulate that he is in a relationship with a US citizen? I've heard conflicting information. I've read that it helps if a US citizen sends a letter of invitation, complete with the addresses he would be staying and the length of his visit. Yet, I have also read that being in a relationship with a US citizen could also imply an intent to immigrate and a non-immigrant visa. I'm still in college though, so I have no intention of marrying him. I only want him to visit.

He is also friends with some of the other US citizens who were studying abroad with me, although he wasn't planning on visiting them during this trip. Would it help if they also invited him to come visit so that his trip didn't look like he was just coming to see me, but instead to visit all his American friends?

He's nervous because he has some friends whose visa applications were rejected. At the same time, he has other friends whose applications were approved with minimal hassle. I understand the importance of the process, but it seems pretty arbitrary.

Any advice would help. Thank you!

If he can provide strong ties to his country and every intention to go home, then they might grant him the visa. If tell the embassy that he's visiting friends instead of you, he might have a higher chance too. But just do not lie at the embassy, it might have a negative impact later especially if he's applying for an immigrant visa later on.

It would also help is some of the friends that he we visiting are discussing about the in trip via email and he can print the email to help with his visa application.

Hope this helps.

[raymaga 25]

Good luck with the visa. You probably have only a 50/50 chance of getting it, but like other's have said... it's only $131.00.

I definitely wouldn't lie because that will only come back to haunt you in the future.

[ComboFries 0]

hello everyone, i am new here and nice to meet you virtually over here

i enjoyed reading the posts and replies /it was so friendly

about my question.\

i am from Egypt too but i am now working in KSA (in the gulf area) and i am a pharmacist and i applied with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to get my degrees evaluated eventually for immigration purposes

and in order for me to get evaluated, there must be two exams taken one with testing my pharmacy knowledge (the FPGEE) and the English test

and since the 1st of April 2010 it was mandatory to take both exams in the US

so i was wondering what are my chances to get a visa to go in there take the two exams and get out in three weeks or so

by the way both exams have schedules and fees that are paid prior to the exam date by at least 3 month

any advice.....

[Boiler 45,585]

Compared to the exam costs the application fee is minimal.

[ComboFries 0]

Compared to the exam costs the application fee is minimal.

What do you mean that the exam cost is higher than the application fees?

is this a good thing or a bad thing?

and it doesnt answer my question

what are my chances?

thanks for the quick response

and what are other aspects that will be considered

i told you my situation exactly

thanks

[Boiler 45,585]

I said the opposite.

Why do you not just apply and find out?

[ComboFries 0]

i am asking here before i can apply to find out what are my chances are

and if there is a variable that i can work and change it to my favour

and by the way the opposite is correct

the exam fees is 800 US dolars = 3200 SAR

and the fees for the TOEFL too

also there are 160 US dollars = 500 SAR for the evaluation of my documents

and these are the direct fees

on the other hand. the fees for the tourist visa here in ksa is 540 SAR = 120 US dollars

so the opposite is correct

and plz if u know any information share it

like i said i am trying to figure out my chances here

thanks

[R.&S. 2]

LLBean....You have no chance to get visa if you will state that you are going to visit your girlfriend.NO matter what and how strong ties you have with your country. I had the same situation and got denied twice despite having very strong ties like family, property and Good job with an US MNC.

We are true what we say but they suspect us that we are going overstay and marry and get AOS.

Keep the reason of visiting. simple! you will get a visa.

Good luck.