Getting sponsorship, and how much funds do I need?

[motema15 1]

Hello,

I have some questions regarding a Tourist visa (B1) to the USA.

My situation is: I am an Australian citizen, 38 years old, I live on a disability pension (I have a chronic illness).

I would like to go to stay with a friend in rural Oregon for 180 days. The Australian Govt will pay my pension while I am in the USA. The pension is approx US$680 a fortnight and I have around $3000 in the bank.

My questions are:

Do you think payments of $680 a fortnight would be acceptable as having enough finances? (I will have a letter from the Australian Govt confirming this payment, and I won't be travelling around the US, just staying in Oregon and visiting a friend in Seattle as well so my expenses will be low).

My friend in Oregon has offered me a room in her house, rent free. Would it be helpful for her to write a letter saying this? If so, what kind of documentation should she put with the letter? (Her social security number? Photo of the house?) I have another friend in Seattle who has offered the same thing, and can write a letter as well (just in case the option with the friend in Sisters falls through).

I have seen that friends can sponsor someone to the US. But, my friend in Sisters is not offering full sponsorhip, just free rent. Should she fill out the sponsorship form, or would a letter saying I can stay with her be enough?

Do you think the fact that I have a physical illness will be a problem in getting the visa? It's a very stable condition, I've had it for fifteen years, and I've never been hospitalized or even taken a lot of medication - I just need to rest a lot. Would a letter from my doctor saying this be helpful? (I will also have comprehensive health insurance while I am there.)

I have lived in the US before, for 2 years a decade ago, as a student. I had no visa problems during that time.

thanks!

Emma

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You won't know if you'll get the visa until you apply...even then, you won't know if you are granted admittance into the US until you try

Your funds seems to be sufficient (if you ask me) but yes, you'll want a letter stating that your payments will continue

Yes, having a note from your doctor would also be helpful

Be prepared to answer why the Visa Waiver Program won't work for you and why you must travel for 180 days to the US? What other ties do you have? Property? Family? What shows that you MUST return to Aus. after 180 days and not simply stay in the US?

I sugest you have a letter from your friend explaining that he is offering you a place to stay but not bother with the actual sponsorship since you'll have continuous income

Good luc

PS - be prepared, a valid tourist visa does not guarentee entrance into the US at all, nor does it guarentee entrance for the time you'd liike

[Barbara J 115]

Hello,

I have some questions regarding a Tourist visa (B1) to the USA.

My situation is: I am an Australian citizen, 38 years old, I live on a disability pension (I have a chronic illness).

I would like to go to stay with a friend in rural Oregon for 180 days. The Australian Govt will pay my pension while I am in the USA. The pension is approx US$680 a fortnight and I have around $3000 in the bank.

My questions are:

Do you think payments of $680 a fortnight would be acceptable as having enough finances? (I will have a letter from the Australian Govt confirming this payment, and I won't be travelling around the US, just staying in Oregon and visiting a friend in Seattle as well so my expenses will be low).

My friend in Oregon has offered me a room in her house, rent free. Would it be helpful for her to write a letter saying this? If so, what kind of documentation should she put with the letter? (Her social security number? Photo of the house?) I have another friend in Seattle who has offered the same thing, and can write a letter as well (just in case the option with the friend in Sisters falls through).

I have seen that friends can sponsor someone to the US. But, my friend in Sisters is not offering full sponsorhip, just free rent. Should she fill out the sponsorship form, or would a letter saying I can stay with her be enough?

Do you think the fact that I have a physical illness will be a problem in getting the visa? It's a very stable condition, I've had it for fifteen years, and I've never been hospitalized or even taken a lot of medication - I just need to rest a lot. Would a letter from my doctor saying this be helpful? (I will also have comprehensive health insurance while I am there.)

I have lived in the US before, for 2 years a decade ago, as a student. I had no visa problems during that time.

thanks!

Emma

Why don't you just use the VWP programm why do you have to stay 180days. You want a B2 visitors visa. You don't need sponsoring for that. You just apply and need to have your permanent residence in Australia and you need an address as to where you are staying in the US.

When you have interview they will ask you why you are going and how do you intend on supporting yourself for that time period. They will ask you for how long and want to know exactly why . B2 is 6 months 1 year and 5 years.

Your bank account wont even come into it. I applied for one and this is why I am answering you. As long as you show your strong ties back in OZ and that you are only going for a set amount of time there should not be an issue.

[Boiler 45,535]

Sponsorship is not appropriate for a B2 Visa, used as a last resort for applicants who do not have the money to fund their trip.

Have you obtained a quote for travel insurance?

The safe thing would be to use the VWP having said that Australians have more success it seems in getting B2's.

Will you not have continuing expenses whilst you are on holiday, rent, mortgage, utilities etc etc.

[motema15 1]

Hi,

thanks everyone for your extremely helpful responses! To answer a few questions, I don't think I can use the VWP because I want to go to the US for 5 or 6 months (and the VWP can't be extended).

Going for 5 or 6 months instead of 3 months is just personal preference - I want to go for that long! I often go to Indonesia for 5 months at a time - I'm not the kind of traveller that likes moving around a lot, I just like going to the one place and staying there.

Also, my friend's partner in the US runs an alternative healing centre and has offered to help treat my illness. I would need to stay quite a few months to do that. (I'm not sure though, if this is something I should say in the interview...I don't want to complicate things).

My understanding was that I had to apply for a tourist visa then hopefully I would be given 180 days upon arrival in the USA...or I would be given 90 days and could apply for an extension to the tourist visa, which I may or may not get.

Is that correct?

No, I have no expenses back in Australia. I live with my father, so if I go away I don't need to pay rent/utulities etc.

I totally understand that just getting the vissa doesn't guarantee me entry into the US.

thanks!

Emma

[motema15 1]

oh sorry, I was re-reading and saw I forgot to answer a question. Yes, I have got a quote for travel insurance - it's around $350.

[Boiler 45,535]

If this was the UK I would tell you to forget the idea of a B, you might be lucky in Australia.

If they say no they you would need to re do ESTA to see if you can still do the VWP.

[Barbara J 115]

Hi,

thanks everyone for your extremely helpful responses! To answer a few questions, I don't think I can use the VWP because I want to go to the US for 5 or 6 months (and the VWP can't be extended).

Going for 5 or 6 months instead of 3 months is just personal preference - I want to go for that long! I often go to Indonesia for 5 months at a time - I'm not the kind of traveller that likes moving around a lot, I just like going to the one place and staying there.

Also, my friend's partner in the US runs an alternative healing centre and has offered to help treat my illness. I would need to stay quite a few months to do that. (I'm not sure though, if this is something I should say in the interview...I don't want to complicate things).

My understanding was that I had to apply for a tourist visa then hopefully I would be given 180 days upon arrival in the USA...or I would be given 90 days and could apply for an extension to the tourist visa, which I may or may not get.

Is that correct?

No, I have no expenses back in Australia. I live with my father, so if I go away I don't need to pay rent/utulities etc.

I totally understand that just getting the vissa doesn't guarantee me entry into the US.

thanks!

Emma

Emma I would not say anything about getting the alternative medicine treatment but as you want to stay for that long you can pay for 1 year B2 visa and as long as you show strong ties back in OZ and that you can support yourself whilst there and you are paying for the trip and spending costs you should be fine darl. Just apply and see what happens that's all you can do, otherwise I don't know what to suggest to you. Let me know how you get on because if you get denied B2 you cant apply for ESTA VWP.

Edited February 15, 2011 by Barbara J