Can I apply for a tourist visa for visiting universities in the US?

[jmt111 0]

My daughter wants to study in the US but before applying this fall, she wants to visit some schools. Could we apply for non-immigrant tourist visas to visit schools? Is visiting schools considered “tourism”?

Also, when I wrote to our local embassy about this, I was told I have to meet a burden of proof that we are not immigrating to the US. How can I meet this burden? Should I bring copies of my title to my car and home and argue that we will not abandon this and stay in the US? I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying? I plan on going with my wife and 4 children and so we would not abandon my business, home and car to go to America, especially since that would reflect badly when we later apply for my daughter’s student visa.

[Pitaya 2,577]

My daughter wants to study in the US but before applying this fall, she wants to visit some schools. Could we apply for non-immigrant tourist visas to visit schools? Is visiting schools considered “tourism”? YES, very likely.

Also, when I wrote to our local embassy about this, I was told I have to meet a burden of proof that we are not immigrating to the US. How can I meet this burden? SEE BELOW Should I bring copies of my title to my car and home and argue that we will not abandon this and stay in the US? YES I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying? YES I plan on going with my wife and 4 children and so we would not abandon my business, home and car to go to America, especially since that would reflect badly when we later apply for my daughter’s student visa.

Responses are in GREEN.

Please review the attached Department of State webpage about Visa Information for Temporary Visitors, for more information.

To get the tourist visa you have to show compelling reasons why you and your immediate family will go back to your country after your USA visit. These reasons may include, but are not limited to, property ownership, ongoing business affairs, strong family ties. You have to prove that to the interviewing consular official. It can be difficult depending on your country of origin.

Good luck on your visa journey.

Edited May 11, 2012 by A&B

[Anh map 2,098]

My daughter wants to study in the US but before applying this fall, she wants to visit some schools. Could we apply for non-immigrant tourist visas to visit schools? Is visiting schools considered "tourism"?

Also, when I wrote to our local embassy about this, I was told I have to meet a burden of proof that we are not immigrating to the US. How can I meet this burden? Should I bring copies of my title to my car and home and argue that we will not abandon this and stay in the US? I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying? I plan on going with my wife and 4 children and so we would not abandon my business, home and car to go to America, especially since that would reflect badly when we later apply for my daughter's student visa.

What country are you coming from?

Showing that you have roots in your home country is a big part of that proof. Property ownership, employment, etc.

[Harsh_77 718]

My daughter wants to study in the US but before applying this fall, she wants to visit some schools. Could we apply for non-immigrant tourist visas to visit schools? Is visiting schools considered “tourism”?

Also, when I wrote to our local embassy about this, I was told I have to meet a burden of proof that we are not immigrating to the US. How can I meet this burden? Should I bring copies of my title to my car and home and argue that we will not abandon this and stay in the US? I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying? I plan on going with my wife and 4 children and so we would not abandon my business, home and car to go to America, especially since that would reflect badly when we later apply for my daughter’s student visa.

Yes you can apply for tourist visa for purpose of checking out schools.

What country you coming from is also very important factor and yes the fuss is there coz there are millions of people who come to US on tourist visa or some other visa and do not return back to their home country.

[Noah Lot 391]

My daughter wants to study in the US but before applying this fall, she wants to visit some schools. Could we apply for non-immigrant tourist visas to visit schools? Is visiting schools considered “tourism”?

Also, when I wrote to our local embassy about this, I was told I have to meet a burden of proof that we are not immigrating to the US. How can I meet this burden? Should I bring copies of my title to my car and home and argue that we will not abandon this and stay in the US? I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying? I plan on going with my wife and 4 children and so we would not abandon my business, home and car to go to America, especially since that would reflect badly when we later apply for my daughter’s student visa.

Each year an estimated 350,000 'tourists' somehow forget to go back to the airport and instead stay in the US, doing who knows what...

Our laws state that everyone seeking a tourist visa (and some other kinds) are presumed by law to be going to the US to stay, and thus are ineligible to receive said visa until they convince the VO that they will return...in simpler terms, you are, in essence, presumed guilty of doing something you have yet to do.

Expect to be quizzed on how much this adventure is going to cost, especially feeding and housing 6 people (along with airfares), why the family needs to stay whatever amount of time you state, and your oldest may be quizzed even more about undisclosed American boyfriends, etc.

[Noah Lot 391]

Each year an estimated 350,000 'tourists' somehow forget to go back to the airport and instead stay in the US, doing who knows what...

Our laws state that everyone seeking a tourist visa (and some other kinds) are presumed by law to be going to the US to stay, and thus are ineligible to receive said visa until they convince the VO that they will return...in simpler terms, you are, in essence, presumed guilty of doing something you have yet to do.

Expect to be quizzed on how much this adventure is going to cost, especially feeding and housing 6 people (along with airfares), why the family needs to stay whatever amount of time you state, and your oldest may be quizzed even more about undisclosed American boyfriends, etc.

And a title to a car is virtually worthless as far as being consider some motivational reason to return...a home can be sold or rented, etc...so mere possession of any or all of these things (bank account included) will not, by themselves, automatically qualify you and your family for tourist visas...just something to think about; I am not judging you.

Edited May 11, 2012 by Noah Lot

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying?

Yes, this is exactly what people do.

What country are you from?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Are people going to the US on tourist visas and then getting illegal jobs there and staying?

Unfortunately, yes. And those people have made it difficult for the innocent ones to come here for their intended purpose. The red tape is in place because it's sadly necessary.

[Boiler 45,579]

Can't you use the VWP?

[jmt111 0]

Hello, I am from Syria.

If I apply to have my whole family come with me (wife and four children) will the consular official become suspicious and not believe I will come back to Syria? Will he think that if we were really going to visit universities I would only take my daughter? The reality is we want to visit universities but also want all the kids to use the summer vacation to see a new country and visit family we have in US and Canada.

If ownership of a home or car will not convince the official, then what will?! Should I show profit statements from my business to prove I have a good source of income in Syria? Should I say my daughter wants to study in America and if we don’t return, she will be in trouble and not be able to get student visa so I will assure we return?

Also, I have set up this forum to send email notifications for replies. This thread had 8 replies but I did not receive a single email notification. The emails are not in my Spam box. Is VisaJourney.com not sending email notifications of replies?

Also, I very much like the name “Noah Lot” as it relates to Noah and his nephew Lot and also means “Know a lot.”

Thank you

[Noah Lot 391]

Hello, I am from Syria.

If I apply to have my whole family come with me (wife and four children) will the consular official become suspicious and not believe I will come back to Syria? Will he think that if we were really going to visit universities I would only take my daughter? The reality is we want to visit universities but also want all the kids to use the summer vacation to see a new country and visit family we have in US and Canada.

If ownership of a home or car will not convince the official, then what will?! Should I show profit statements from my business to prove I have a good source of income in Syria? Should I say my daughter wants to study in America and if we don’t return, she will be in trouble and not be able to get student visa so I will assure we return?

Also, I have set up this forum to send email notifications for replies. This thread had 8 replies but I did not receive a single email notification. The emails are not in my Spam box. Is VisaJourney.com not sending email notifications of replies?

Also, I very much like the name “Noah Lot” as it relates to Noah and his nephew Lot and also means “Know a lot.”

Thank you

Given the current state of unrest in Syria, it may well be difficult to convince the VO that you and your entire family are really planning to return to a country in chaos...and if all of you decide not to return, it is doubtful that you would send your daughter back just to apply for a student visa, because the VOs have access to entry/exit records and will quickly figure out where the rest of the family is....and she would not be 'in trouble.'

And right now, wouldn't you have to go to a neighboring country just to apply for visas?? And how are the VOs in a different country supposed to evaluate your ties to Syria? You can easily imagine that there are thousands of Syrians chomping at the bit to leave the country and never come back...and the VOs know this only too well. Plus the additional factor of the entire family having to go on this particular expedition....which makes little sense in the grand scheme of things....given the enormous cost of airline tickets, food and hotel for 6 people for several weeks....you are talking about having $20,000 at least that doesn't matter to you...and even having it might not be enough, again, referring to the current state of affairs in Syria.

Edited May 15, 2012 by Noah Lot

[Boiler 45,579]

Firstly the only downside of applying for a Tourist Visa is the time and application fee.

Unfortunately due to the very large number of Asylum claimants in the US, most of whose claims are fraudulent, I can see it is going to be difficult for you to differentiate yourself.

But you can only try and see.

[jmt111 0]

I am from Aleppo, where the war is not affecting us. It is peaceful here and we have had only a couple of incidents, not like Idlib and Homs. We feel safe and will return.

We have to go to Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey to apply for visas. If the visa officer cannot evaluate my ties to Syria, then why do they even make us travel so far to other countries so they can evaluate our applications? Why don’t they just deny all visas? Indeed, if they are letting us apply in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey, it must mean that they can evaluate our "ties" to issue some visas to those with “ties.”

I heard that America is now giving visas to more Syrians to help them escape the war, because America wanted to help us but China and Russia would not allow, so now America relaxes visa standards. I heard this from a priest, but I do not know if he is correct. Is it true?

Do you have ideas to convince the officer of my ties to Syria? It seems title to cars, home and job here will not help. What “ties” are they looking for? What evidence can I bring?

Boiler: I think asylum is for people politically or religiously persecuted? If yes, then this does not apply for me. I seek a tourist visa for my daughter to visit American universities.

[Boiler 45,579]

I would expect that the Consulates will be extra vigilent.

They do not make you go anywhere. If you want to apply there is a voluntary process.

It is unusual for extra documents to be asked for.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Home and job are very good ties. The comment before was that a car is not a reason to return: Imagine someone saying "I have to return for my car! I have nothing there but I have a car so I will be back! My car!"

US visa approval/denial protocol are classified, but they do publish the percentage of tourist visa denial by country.

2011 for Syria was 32.8%. http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY11.pdf

2010 was 28.4%. http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY10.pdf

2009 was less than that. It seems the priest is incorrect, but it could be that more people who clearly don't qualify are applying, changing the rate.

In any case, you will be evaluated on your own merits. You can't know until you apply.