Tourist Visa

[Dalyn 1]

I have a question if how long will be the processing of a tourist visa in the Philippines. My husband and I (I am a green card holder) are planning to invite my mother here in US. And we want her to be here May 2011 or hopefully before that. I don't know what are the requirements that we need to prepare. I just want her to be here before I give birth for my 1st baby.

Hope anyone have an idea on this matter. Thanks

[TeapotGirl 66]

not sure about the wait time but just be prepared with the assets, huge bank account with activity house title, car title, business all named after your mom.

[milimelo 4,479]

Moved to tourist visa forum.

[Theresa0828 65]

I have a question if how long will be the processing of a tourist visa in the Philippines. My husband and I (I am a green card holder) are planning to invite my mother here in US. And we want her to be here May 2011 or hopefully before that. I don't know what are the requirements that we need to prepare. I just want her to be here before I give birth for my 1st baby.

Hope anyone have an idea on this matter. Thanks

here is the link... http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html, scheduling is pretty easy, usually if you try to schedule now... you will get an open slot in the next 2 weeks or so... the real problem is getting approved... you have to provide documents that will give her enough ties in the Philippines to come back...

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Scheduling is the easy part. What is difficult is that she has to compile and show documents that prove her strong ties to the Philippines.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html#3

[Dalyn 1]

here is the link... http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html, scheduling is pretty easy, usually if you try to schedule now... you will get an open slot in the next 2 weeks or so... the real problem is getting approved... you have to provide documents that will give her enough ties in the Philippines to come back...

Well she don't have so much in the Philippines. She have a savings account, title for house and lot and a little grocery store. But our plan is we (my husband & I) are the one who will be sponsoring her. All of the expense will be ours. And there is no reason for her to be an illegal here in US. Is there any proof that we need to show that she's coming back to the Philippines?

[Noah Lot 391]

Well she don't have so much in the Philippines. She have a savings account, title for house and lot and a little grocery store. But our plan is we (my husband & I) are the one who will be sponsoring her. All of the expense will be ours. And there is no reason for her to be an illegal here in US. Is there any proof that we need to show that she's coming back to the Philippines?

No, only the applicant has the responsibility of convincing the consular officials that he/she will return to their country after a visit. You cannot guarantee her return, for example, because you have no legal authority over her once she arrives in the US, and the consular official has no legal authority over you if your 'promise' to send her back isn't fulfilled. Whatever bank account you have, whatever home you own, whatever degree you have from whichever university or college is not considered during someone's interview (none of these items are transferrable, for example, nor can anyone force you to give her money during her visit).

Each applicant seeking a tourist visa is already presumed by law to be an intending immigrant, which means the interview does not start off in a neutral mode, but rather the applicant is presumed 'guilty', if you will, of doing something they have yet to do.....overstaying. But those are our laws, whether you agree with them or not.

In addition, most tourist visa applicants must also convince the consular officials that they will not be working illegally while in the US as a tourist (for example, by providing child care so their son or daughter can go to work without hiring a nanny).

How the applicant accomplishes this task is really in the eyes of the consular officials...there is no specific document, for example, that automatically qualifies anyone for a tourist visa. Round trip airline tickets are essentially worthless as 'proof' that the individual will return, since tickets can be easily changed or just not used (and their cost is cheap compared to gaining access to the US). Letters from you are mostly self serving; letters from some congressman or senator have no power over the consular folks...remember, congress is in the Legislative branch of our government; the State Dept is in the Executive branch (and no, the president is not going to phone up the consular section at your behest and 'order' some consular officer to issue a visa to somebody he doesn't even know!) and as a result, a congressman or senator cannot 'order' the consular section to do anything....a fact often overlooked by those who think if they call their representative and complain, the representative will get on the phone and starting issuing commands to dole out visas....it does not work like that. Only consular officers are empowered to issue or deny visa applications....no one else, including the ambassador at an embassy of ours.

Bottom line: she will need to prove her bonafides and /or convince the embassy that she is just going for a visit and will return promptly after the time she says....how she does that is up to her.

Edited October 31, 2011 by Noah Lot

[Dalyn 1]

No, only the applicant has the responsibility of convincing the consular officials that he/she will return to their country after a visit. You cannot guarantee her return, for example, because you have no legal authority over her once she arrives in the US, and the consular official has no legal authority over you if your 'promise' to send her back isn't fulfilled. Whatever bank account you have, whatever home you own, whatever degree you have from whichever university or college is not considered during someone's interview (none of these items are transferrable, for example, nor can anyone force you to give her money during her visit).

Each applicant seeking a tourist visa is already presumed by law to be an intending immigrant, which means the interview does not start off in a neutral mode, but rather the applicant is presumed 'guilty', if you will, of doing something they have yet to do.....overstaying. But those are our laws, whether you agree with them or not.

In addition, most tourist visa applicants must also convince the consular officials that they will not be working illegally while in the US as a tourist (for example, by providing child care so their son or daughter can go to work without hiring a nanny).

How the applicant accomplishes this task is really in the eyes of the consular officials...there is no specific document, for example, that automatically qualifies anyone for a tourist visa. Round trip airline tickets are essentially worthless as 'proof' that the individual will return, since tickets can be easily changed or just not used (and their cost is cheap compared to gaining access to the US). Letters from you are mostly self serving; letters from some congressman or senator have no power over the consular folks...remember, congress is in the Legislative branch of our government; the State Dept is in the Executive branch (and no, the president is not going to phone up the consular section at your behest and 'order' some consular officer to issue a visa to somebody he doesn't even know!) and as a result, a congressman or senator cannot 'order' the consular section to do anything....a fact often overlooked by those who think if they call their representative and complain, the representative will get on the phone and starting issuing commands to dole out visas....it does not work like that. Only consular officers are empowered to issue or deny visa applications....no one else, including the ambassador at an embassy of ours.

Bottom line: she will need to prove her bonafides and /or convince the embassy that she is just going for a visit and will return promptly after the time she says....how she does that is up to her.

Thanks for this info. Now we just need to think of another option or documents to support that she will not overstay here in US. Does medical certificate can help, because I have an autistic brother in the Philippines and my mother really can't leave the Philippines for that long period of time because of him. Oh gosh I just want my mother to be here especially on the day that I will give birth.

[Noah Lot 391]

Thanks for this info. Now we just need to think of another option or documents to support that she will not overstay here in US. Does medical certificate can help, because I have an autistic brother in the Philippines and my mother really can't leave the Philippines for that long period of time because of him. Oh gosh I just want my mother to be here especially on the day that I will give birth.

Often people attempt to use the excuse of an ill relative or someone who is allegedly dependent upon the applicant for their survival as the primary reason why somebody would/should/must return to their country after visiting the US...but if that were really true, your mother could not leave this relative at all, let alone for some number of weeks....after all, if she can leave him for X number of weeks, how dependent upon her is he really? (since other relatives/friends will be providing care in her absence). And what is the theoretical maximum amount of time she supposedly could leave him? And who determines this amount of time? If one day, why not one week? If one month, why not more?, etc, etc. That is why this particular excuse is usually not seriously considered.

Remember, there is NO document that overcomes the presumption of immigrant intent....if there were, every visa applicant on the planet would have one and would be waving in the faces of our consular officials.

The consular staff is there to judge INTENT, to determine (as best they can) the overall credibility of an applicant, something that cannot be printed on a piece of paper.

[Noah Lot 391]

Thanks for this info. Now we just need to think of another option or documents to support that she will not overstay here in US. Does medical certificate can help, because I have an autistic brother in the Philippines and my mother really can't leave the Philippines for that long period of time because of him. Oh gosh I just want my mother to be here especially on the day that I will give birth.

Though I cannot guarantee the results of her interview, the fact that you went through a K1 procedure rather than the often B2 -> AOS ("gosh, I changed my mind") - > GC would represent some equity, if I were a consular official...in other words, you took no shortcuts, no creative stories, etc, to wind up married to an Amcit. Contrast your situation to all the countless thousands who 'promised' they would return, but instead (usually within minutes of clearing baggage claim) 'changed their minds' and stayed put in the US using a tourist visa, or those who outright lied to our consular officials about even having an American BF/GF or fiancee....these are the people who cause other legitimate applicants problems...because, (put yourself in a CO's place)...how many times are you going to be taken advantage of before you stop falling for the same stories and promises? (not long!)

Anyway, good luck.

[ceadsearc 516]

Thanks for this info. Now we just need to think of another option or documents to support that she will not overstay here in US. Does medical certificate can help, because I have an autistic brother in the Philippines and my mother really can't leave the Philippines for that long period of time because of him. Oh gosh I just want my mother to be here especially on the day that I will give birth.

It's not guaranteed at all, but if she is a caregiver for your brother, then a letter from his doctor or something similar might be useful in showing that she provides his care and would need to return. Anything that shows strong ties is good.

[Dalyn 1]

Though I cannot guarantee the results of her interview, the fact that you went through a K1 procedure rather than the often B2 -> AOS ("gosh, I changed my mind") - > GC would represent some equity, if I were a consular official...in other words, you took no shortcuts, no creative stories, etc, to wind up married to an Amcit. Contrast your situation to all the countless thousands who 'promised' they would return, but instead (usually within minutes of clearing baggage claim) 'changed their minds' and stayed put in the US using a tourist visa, or those who outright lied to our consular officials about even having an American BF/GF or fiancee....these are the people who cause other legitimate applicants problems...because, (put yourself in a CO's place)...how many times are you going to be taken advantage of before you stop falling for the same stories and promises? (not long!)

Anyway, good luck.

Well, I heard a lot of stories like that. But my mother is old, and she doesn't even want to stay here for long period of time especially just hearing the weather here in New England. Just praying that we will have enough documents/supporting documents. I just want her to be here before I give birth. I don't know what proof I need to show for them to believe. But I guess we will try showing her assets and plus doctor's certificate or DSWD certificate that she's the one who is taking care of my brother.

[ceadsearc 516]

Well, I heard a lot of stories like that. But my mother is old, and she doesn't even want to stay here for long period of time especially just hearing the weather here in New England. Just praying that we will have enough documents/supporting documents. I just want her to be here before I give birth. I don't know what proof I need to show for them to believe. But I guess we will try showing her assets and plus doctor's certificate or DSWD certificate that she's the one who is taking care of my brother.

It's at the discretion of the person interviewing her but the more evidence, the better - anything you can think of that would prove she NEEDS to return to her home country.

Also, she's better off not mentioning that she is coming here for a birth. Unless she is asked directly if she is coming here for a birth/pregnancy it's better if she just says she is coming to visit her daughter, as she could be declined if the person interviewing her suspects she is coming to watch the child, which is technically considered a job.