Tourist Visa for Sister from the Philippines

[beejay 125]

Letters from anyone are ..... letters....they prove nothing and are not enforceable....sadly, far too many young and single Filipinas have 'forgotten' to return to whatever situation they had in the PI....and the VOs know this. School fees are a pittance compared to a new life in the US. Your parents' situation is relatively meaningless for her.

And how did you acquire a GC?

Are you asking me how I acquired a GC?

Do you think you are better than people because you were born in the US?

[beejay 125]

There is nothing in my post that says I support circumventing the immigration laws just to get a better life. My statement, was a response to yours when you say far too many young and single Filipinas have 'forgotten' to return to whatever situation they had in the PI."

Your statement which I find to be true most of the time, does not apply to everyone else. Some people are already doing ok financially in the Philippines just like my sister so your statement doesn't really apply to her nor to me.

"No offense, but I guess this really applies to those who are searching for ways to better their life, financially, which I consider to be perfectly alright." What I am referring to to be perfectly alright is when someone wants to improve their life financially, but I am not ok with lying to obtain a visa. This is the sole reason why it is harder for people to apply for tourist visa, even if they do not have a hidden agenda and their bonafide reason is just to travel.

Sorry if it appears that I am ok with cheating on visa, maybe it is my poor choice of words, or poor organization of thoughts, I don't know, but I do not support abuse of visa privilege, this has been giving Filipinos a bad name and it's really sad because not everyone is an opportunist.

Anway, thank you all for your response, all of you are being helpful. Happy New Year to all! Peace.

Toolinchains, it's ok to just ignore posts like the one you responded to. You don't need to defend yourself and it's perfectly natural to want your sister to come visit you. Noahlot has a very big chip in his shoulder about something and comes across as very anti-immigrant. I don't even think he has a visa in process I think he just joined this board to yell at people and tell them why they are wrong and will never get a visa. That said, the chances are against your sister but I'm sure that won't dissuade you from trying ( it wouldn't me). So hopefully you can get the best possible advice here to help prepare your sister but I would still prepare myself that she may not be able to come.

Again good luck!

[danandelvie 1]

you have to show strong ties to your country. chances are slim i would say but miracles can happen. dont waste money on a lawyer. go to rapidvisa.com and ask someone there what are the posibilities. you can have her apply for a student/work visa in the united kingdom instead it allows for multiple entries. she will then have better chance of getting a tourist visa or visit visa to come to the united states. i know someone who has done this. good luck. dan

[Noah Lot 391]

Are you asking me how I acquired a GC?

Do you think you are better than people because you were born in the US?

And you are the Grand Poobah of what planet or universe?

I happen to be a patriotic American citizen, one who has fought for this country, one who does NOT wish to reward those who try to circumvent our laws...including our immigration laws. You will not find one single posting of mine in which I say to curtail all legal, honest immigration to my country...not one, so your myopic opinion has no foundation.

I also am not afraid to explain the facts of life about obtaining certain types of visas, based on some experience that few self appointed experts on this site possess. I am not one to just mumble some disingenuous platitudes or encourage people to summon up some deity in order to obtain a visa....

Now...if you think that the Philippines has a stellar track record using tourist visas, well, let's hear some facts. If they are so stellar, why aren't they on the VWP? (oops...perhaps you forgot something).

I have zero objections to people coming to my country for legitimate purposes....whether as a tourist, student, spouse or worker, as long as they have done everything above board. I have zero tolerance for those who have decided to attempt an end run around our current laws. Perhaps you might consider explaining to our listening audience why you think that circumventing our laws is an acceptable practice, if that is what you believe. I'd love to hear the rationale for that one.

I see nothing from you that can refute any of the information I have posted, other than your disagreement with it, because you don't like to hear the blunt truth. Oh well.

[Noah Lot 391]

Are you asking me how I acquired a GC?

Do you think you are better than people because you were born in the US?

No, my question was to the OP....because, not surprisingly, a lot of people arrive here as tourists, 'fall in love' right after collecting their bags, adjust status, and then wonder why their siblings can't do the same. However, I do not know if that is the OP's situation...hence the question.

[Noah Lot 391]

Toolinchains, it's ok to just ignore posts like the one you responded to. You don't need to defend yourself and it's perfectly natural to want your sister to come visit you. Noahlot has a very big chip in his shoulder about something and comes across as very anti-immigrant. I don't even think he has a visa in process I think he just joined this board to yell at people and tell them why they are wrong and will never get a visa. That said, the chances are against your sister but I'm sure that won't dissuade you from trying ( it wouldn't me). So hopefully you can get the best possible advice here to help prepare your sister but I would still prepare myself that she may not be able to come.

Again good luck!

Which is exactly what I have said....but without holding somebody's hand. When have I yelled? (hard to do using a keyboard)...and no, I have no visa in process, but what I have offered is an opinion based on a lot of observation of the visa process overseas....the stories, the excuses, for those who are trying to go around our laws, are amazingly consistent....and that is just the way it is.

[Boiler 45,993]

As afar as I am aware nobody on this board physcic, and nobody reading the will be the interviewing officer.

So she either tries and sees, or does not.

[ellione28 0]

It's so easy to misinterpret texts here. But I guess OP is enlightened as she did already reply saying she understands.

She said so herself... every person has a different situation. So go for it and I hope your sis gets that visa. ^__^ And I just want to emphasize that documents speak louder in these cases.

Happy new year, by the way!

[beejay 125]

And you are the Grand Poobah of what planet or universe?

I happen to be a patriotic American citizen, one who has fought for this country, one who does NOT wish to reward those who try to circumvent our laws...including our immigration laws. You will not find one single posting of mine in which I say to curtail all legal, honest immigration to my country...not one, so your myopic opinion has no foundation.

I also am not afraid to explain the facts of life about obtaining certain types of visas, based on some experience that few self appointed experts on this site possess. I am not one to just mumble some disingenuous platitudes or encourage people to summon up some deity in order to obtain a visa....

Now...if you think that the Philippines has a stellar track record using tourist visas, well, let's hear some facts. If they are so stellar, why aren't they on the VWP? (oops...perhaps you forgot something).

I have zero objections to people coming to my country for legitimate purposes....whether as a tourist, student, spouse or worker, as long as they have done everything above board. I have zero tolerance for those who have decided to attempt an end run around our current laws. Perhaps you might consider explaining to our listening audience why you think that circumventing our laws is an acceptable practice, if that is what you believe. I'd love to hear the rationale for that one.

I see nothing from you that can refute any of the information I have posted, other than your disagreement with it, because you don't like to hear the blunt truth. Oh well.

A lot of what you said I don't dispute but no one is trying to circumvent immigration law in this thread. Nor is anyone under the impression that it is easy to get a tourist visa from Philippines but nevertheless it has happened and it is possible. The OP's sister may not be able to get one but she wanted advice on how to improve her sister's case. You didn't have any useful answers for her. You seem to get off topic very easy and then go on tirades. Why are you so angry at everyone?

[Noah Lot 391]

A lot of what you said I don't dispute but no one is trying to circumvent immigration law in this thread. Nor is anyone under the impression that it is easy to get a tourist visa from Philippines but nevertheless it has happened and it is possible. The OP's sister may not be able to get one but she wanted advice on how to improve her sister's case. You didn't have any useful answers for her. You seem to get off topic very easy and then go on tirades. Why are you so angry at everyone?

Off topic? how? Because I reiterated the probable downsides? How is that off topic? Bottom line: young, single, Filipinas are notorious for scampering off to my country to live happily ever after with some recently discovered love of their life.....it is not 1 in a 100; it's more like 60-70 in a 100....angry? no, just blunt, to the point, and spot on for accuracy.

yes, I did not give the usual..." oh...just present this notarized document and your visa will be approved...."...or..."just pray to Jesus and he will make sure you get a visa..."....sorry,.....I deal in reality, not myths or religious dogma. Is is possible she might be given a visa...of course....will it be automatic because she offers some silly letter from anyone? No. How many such letters do you think our embassy officials have seen over the last umpteen years that have turned out to be totally worthless?....yep...thousands.

[Boiler 45,993]

If it is God' will she will get it, if it isn't then she will not.

Hymie speaks to God...Please God let me win the lottery so I can pay off all my debtors and treat all my friends and feed my starving children. To this God agrees. One week later he speaks to God again. Please God please please God let me win the lottery as I am still waiting. Nothing happens till the next week he still has not won the lottery so he prays to God. God GOD why have you forsaken me why have I not won the lottery so I can pay off all my debtors...

With that there was a big clasp of thunder and God spoke to Hymie saying Hymie..Hymie please help me ...buy a lottery ticket.

Edited January 3, 2012 by Boiler

[toolinchains28 2]

Hi Everyone, I just want to give an update that my sister got approved for a tourist visa. She applied Feb or March I think. Our original plan is for her to come here april or may but the date given to her for her interview is June. She's getting her visa next week and since her classes will start in two weeks, our plan is for her to visit me during her school break to give time for christmas vacation. We are so excited. I already told my boss I am using all my paid vacation leaves in December.

So i just want to thank everyone for their advice.

Edited June 7, 2012 by toolinchains28

[Noah Lot 391]

Hi Everyone, I just want to give an update that my sister got approved for a tourist visa. She applied Feb or March I think. Our original plan is for her to come here april or may but the date given to her for her interview is June. She's getting her visa next week and since her classes will start in two weeks, our plan is for her to visit me during her school break to give time for christmas vacation. We are so excited. I already told my boss I am using all my paid vacation leaves in December.

So i just want to thank everyone for their advice.

congratulations.

[beejay 125]

Congratulations!! So happy for you and your sister

Have a great time together!

[toolinchains28 2]

Hi Everyone,

I know it's kind of a late post but I just want to give an update that my sister came to visit me this holiday. She only stayed for two weeks as she still has school startinf second week of January. Even if she only stayed just in time for Christmas and New Year, we had a great time together. So for everyone who responded on this thread, just want to say how I thankful I am. All the advice you gave helped us so she can get a tourist visa.

To everyone else who is considering applying a tourist visa, don't lose hope. As long as your goal is simply just to travel and enjoy US tourism, and nothing else you'll be ok. And another important thing is to have solid documentation that you can afford your trip, good financial records and has strong ties to your country, etc then you have nothing to worry about. Also, it doesn't hurt to pray.