Mother approved for Tourist Visa (US Embassy-Manila)

[SJG 30]

It was quite a pleasant surprise. My mother got approved for a U.S. Tourist visa yesterday. According to her, she wasn't asked to show any documents or proof of ties. She was asked 4 simple questions: 1) Which State are you visiting in America? [Northern Virginia] 2) Who is sponsoring your travel? [My daughter and son-in-law] 3) Does your daughter work? What's her job? [Yes. She is a Communications Manager at ***] How long are you planning to visit? [A month, around September, in time for my birthday.]

Her interview lasted for less than 3 minutes and the consul said her application is approved.

Note that my mom does not have a fat bank account, she is a widow, I am her only daughter and I have immigrated to the States last year. She has 1 property under her name and that's about it.

Hearing a lot of horror stories from other applicants made us feel skeptical as to whether she'll get approved but at the end of the day, I guess it's a mix of prayer, determination, honesty and luck that made her first attempt a success.

My husband and I believe that the Consul, after all, is emphatic and the US Gov't would be more than willing to bring families together. As long as your purpose of travelling to America is legit and you've answered all the questions directly and as honest as possible, there should be no reason to fear denial.

[Leatherneck 693]

Actually about 70% of Filipinos that apply for a tourist get approved. The CO doing the interview can make a huge difference - your mother was fortunate to get an easy going CO.

[maim3 5]

Thanks for sharing.. It gives me hope for my mom.

[Wally G! 58]

That is awesome to hear that..

Actually went round robin with someone on the Tourist Visa. I was way off the mark on how many tourist Visas are actually approved. I had to pull the DOS Visa Statistics chart - 62.1% Approval rate for 2011.

Congratulations and enjoy to have your mom there on your B-day.

[Leatherneck 693]

That is awesome to hear that..

Actually went round robin with someone on the Tourist Visa. I was way off the mark on how many tourist Visas are actually approved. I had to pull the DOS Visa Statistics chart - 62.1% Approval rate for 2011.

Congratulations and enjoy to have your mom there on your B-day.

Click here then scroll down to the 3rd page - Manila is the last entry on page three.

[Wally G! 58]

Click here then scroll down to the 3rd page - Manila is the last entry on page three.

Thanks bro.. I saw that the other day.

Check out this data for 2010. I am a little confused on page 3 for Philippines. Look at column 4 (B-1,2). Is 78,787 total B visa applications for 2010?

http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY10AnnualReport-TableXVII.pdf

[Leatherneck 693]

Thanks bro.. I saw that the other day.

Check out this data for 2010. I am a little confused on page 3 for Philippines. Look at column 4 (B-1,2). Is 78,787 total B visa applications for 2010?

http://www.travel.st...t-TableXVII.pdf

I saw that chart also and on that same Dept. of State page was two other charts, but after I studied those two charts and did additional research, it appears that 78,787 was the total number of B1/B2 visas issued in 2010. What's confusing are the two columns and figures under B1 (4,514) & B2 (534) which do not add up to equal 78,787.

[SJG 30]

Thanks for sharing.. It gives me hope for my mom.

good luck on your mom's interview!

[patient2010 93]

congrats!

[SJG 30]

congrats!

Thanks!

[SJG 30]

That is awesome to hear that..

Actually went round robin with someone on the Tourist Visa. I was way off the mark on how many tourist Visas are actually approved. I had to pull the DOS Visa Statistics chart - 62.1% Approval rate for 2011.

Congratulations and enjoy to have your mom there on your B-day.

Thanks! And I totally agree, the percentage of approval for tourist visa has significantly increased in the past years. I can't complain!

[carL♥tRin 1]

Hello, congrats to your mom! I would also like to invite my brother, will turn 21 yrs old on the 16th. Did you send a letter of invitation or sponsorship? is it even necessary? my bro just fnished college . No job yet. but id like to invite him to come over as a bday and graduation present, ill be paying for his expense...he'll be staying here for couple weeks only. Do you think there is a chance? any evidences that will prove he will go back to phils?

[tropicalriot 0]

It gives ME hope.

[SJG 30]

Hello, congrats to your mom! I would also like to invite my brother, will turn 21 yrs old on the 16th. Did you send a letter of invitation or sponsorship? is it even necessary? my bro just fnished college . No job yet. but id like to invite him to come over as a bday and graduation present, ill be paying for his expense...he'll be staying here for couple weeks only. Do you think there is a chance? any evidences that will prove he will go back to phils?

I did prepare a letter of invitation for my mother. But more than just an invite, it is a letter of guarantee that my mother has no further interest in staying in the US longer than ____(days/months) and that during her stay, we will be solely responsible for her living expenses and airfare. During mom's interview, she wasn't ask to show this letter though as I've mentioned in my post, it was pretty painless. I can imagine that the CO would be prying more on your brother's reason for visiting, since he will be flagged as a high-risk visa applicant (young, single, fresh graduate, unemployed). Granted that he is travelling in good faith, he will have to convince the CO that he has no intention of overstaying in America and that he has enough reasons to come back to Philippines, it would help if he shows that he has some savings, plans/proof of further studies, and/or shortlisted for a job.

It gives ME hope.

I also found comfort in prayers Claim it and it will happen!

[HappyDancer 7]

I did prepare a letter of invitation for my mother. But more than just an invite, it is a letter of guarantee that my mother has no further interest in staying in the US longer than ____(days/months) and that during her stay, we will be solely responsible for her living expenses and airfare. During mom's interview, she wasn't ask to show this letter though as I've mentioned in my post, it was pretty painless. I can imagine that the CO would be prying more on your brother's reason for visiting, since he will be flagged as a high-risk visa applicant (young, single, fresh graduate, unemployed). Granted that he is travelling in good faith, he will have to convince the CO that he has no intention of overstaying in America and that he has enough reasons to come back to Philippines, it would help if he shows that he has some savings, plans/proof of further studies, and/or shortlisted for a job.

I also found comfort in prayers Claim it and it will happen!

SJG,

My parents will be interviewed on June 1st at 6:30am. I am hoping and praying that they be granted the visa since I am giving birth anytime soon (due date is June 19th). Regarding the letter of invitation, I have sent out a affidavit (a statement signed by me and my husband that we will shoulder all the expenses. And this would be for the sole purpose of them being here when the baby is born). I think I may have to send another email (as advised by the travel agent) for the interview to show that we are in constant email communication about the pregnancy's progress. How old is your mom? Both of my folks are seniors (60 and 63). They are both retired, no bank accounts, we have vehicle and a jeepney that they own. IS there anything else, that may prove helpful for their application to get approved?

Thanks!