Tourist Visa for my girlfriend

[hotel961 0]

Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening

I recently registered on this site , and I've looked at the visa tourist guide however I was unable to find what I'm looking for . I wanted to visit my girlfriend in October, she lives in Russia. I had my passport and my visa but I was denied leave (vacation) by my command due to safety reasons, they stated that were was a 99% chance i was not going to be allowed to travel to the Russian Federation and they highly suggested that she come to the United States as a safe alternative.

We started looking into the tourist B-2 visa process so that she can come to the United States. I'm unsure if she should include me when questioned about her purpose of visit however I don't want her to lie in any part of her application. We do not plan on getting married.

It's unfortunate because she's 1) young and 2) a student without a job. She has 1 year left at her university. She lives with her mom and grandparents. She doesn't own property , she speaks good English and Finnish. Her stay in the United States would be very short , about 25 days because I'd have to go back to work. My command has given me permission to fly her here , What would be the best route for her? should i seek out a law firm that deals with immigration? and what can she do to show that she has intentions to go back home? I've read that some people print round trip flight itineraries. the only solid proof that i can think for her is her school , maybe a paper signed by her dean allowing her time off , with a date of return.

Anyways...This is my best shot at the moment , I would appreciate any help or guidance.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

She isn't immigrating and a lawyer cannot help you. SHE applies for the tourist visa and must qualify on her own accord. Obvioulsly she will need to mention you, why else is she going to the US?

FYI a young, single girl from Russia with no job and living with her parents has almost no chance of getting a tourist visa. It is very difficult with those who have strong ties. A letter from her school will help so will a return ticket, just don't be surprised

Good luck

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Is there a chance of you meeting in a third country where you are allowed to travel and she can get a tourist visa easier? Somewhere in Europe maybe?

[Neonred 3,636]

We have had a lot of experience inviting friends from Russia that came on tourist visas. Several had no problems. Recently we invited the 23 yo daughter of close friends that had visited us earlier.

She was asked only one question at her tourist visa interview....are you married? Of course the answer was no, and the embassy officer immediately told her she was denied. We also invited a few female friends of my wife in their 30's that were not married and one did get a visa. You will never know until you try, BUT do not be surprised when she is denied.

It's too bad your command would not let you travel. With your passport and visa should not have been any problem.

[Boiler 45,997]

Could you meet where ever you met before?

[ca_babe 129]

I had my passport and my visa but I was denied leave (vacation) by my command due to safety reasons, they stated that were was a 99% chance i was not going to be allowed to travel to the Russian Federation and they highly suggested that she come to the United States as a safe alternative.

I don't know what you meant by "my command" but it sounds like you're working from the military. You may ask for a letter from your superior saying that your vacation leave was denied due to safety reasons and that they suggested to have her come over here instead.

My friend was granted a tourist visa even if he didn't have any money, single, without a job. His reason was he needs to accompany his permanent resident nephew to US to join his parents.

what can she do to show that she has intentions to go back home? I've read that some people print round trip flight itineraries. the only solid proof that i can think for her is her school , maybe a paper signed by her dean allowing her time off , with a date of return.

The US embassy doesn't recommend making travel arrangements prior to issuance of visa and printing round trip flight itineraries might work for visa for other countries, it doesn't work for US. A paper signed by her dean allowing her time off with a date of return is a good idea. During the interview, when asked for her her purpose of travelling to US, make sure that she emphasizes that she wants to visit you for X number of days only because she needs to go back to her school to finish her studies.

I suggest that you guys try applying for a tourist visa. If she gets denied, you'll be out $160 only and it won't hurt later on should you guys decide to get married and apply for an immigrant visa. Do not lie to the consular officer. She should let them know that she's intending to visit her boyfriend. Lying about it could definitely hurt her immigration processing later.

Just to tell you about my experience with the US embassy, somebody from another thread asked for advice whether the situation in Palestine would be enough for her husband's case to be expedite. I suggested that she try anyways. Someone called it out as a frivolous request and would cause everyone else's case to delay. You see, I filed for an expedite processing request as well and I am not on my death bed nor is it because of military reasons. If I had asked people over here whether my reason is enough, some people over here would call it out as frivolous request as well. However, the US Embassy approved my expedited processing request. My point is, some people over here in VJ are stricter than the consular officer themselves. You wouldn't know whether she will be approved or not unless she try.

Edited September 30, 2012 by ca_babe

[jaycali 415]

she speaks good English and Finnish.

Is she Finnish by any chance? As in dual citizenship? Finnish citizens can visit the US without a visa.

Edited October 3, 2012 by jaejayC

[hotel961 0]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice , sorry i forgot to mention that i am enlisted in the service. The idea of meeting in another country has crossed my mind , however it would not work, my first plan to travel to St. Petersburg was scrutinized so harshly , that at this point I don't want to deal with the weeks of planning just to be shot down in 2 days by the excuse of "ohh now you two don't know anything about this place and it's dangerous and bla bla bla spies you'll wake up in a bathtub filled with ice with no kidneys"

The easiest way to do this would be for her to visit me. The good news is i stumbled upon this notice from the US Visa-russia website

"As of September 9th, Russian citizens are eligible to receive 3-year, multiple entry visas for business and/or tourism (visa types B1/B2). The visa issuance fee for this visa has been lowered from $100 to $20. The visa application (MRV) fee remains $160, making the total cost $180. All Russians applying for B1/B2 visas MUST pay both fees—renewal applications submitted without an issuance fee receipt will not be processed. Validity and fees for all other visa types remain the same. Consult this page to confirm the proper fees for your visa type. Please also be aware that the Department of State adjusted visa processing fees effective April 13, 2012"

So for now we'll be honest and go through with it

[Boiler 45,997]

How have you met before?

[hotel961 0]

How have you met before?

We have not

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

The good news is i stumbled upon this notice from the US Visa-russia website

"As of September 9th, Russian citizens are eligible to receive 3-year, multiple entry visas for business and/or tourism (visa types B1/B2). The visa issuance fee for this visa has been lowered from $100 to $20. The visa application (MRV) fee remains $160, making the total cost $180. All Russians applying for B1/B2 visas MUST pay both fees—renewal applications submitted without an issuance fee receipt will not be processed. Validity and fees for all other visa types remain the same. Consult this page to confirm the proper fees for your visa type. Please also be aware that the Department of State adjusted visa processing fees effective April 13, 2012"

So for now we'll be honest and go through with it

Don't read too much into this... Citizens of most countries are eligible to receive B1/B2 Visas, getting approved for such Visa is a different story.

[Alga 1]

I think the chance for your gf to visit you in the US that she needs to prove the strong ties with her family.

If she doesn't have any proof about her property in the home country, she can print photos and information about her family to show your strong ties and the plan for the future would be great, and of course the confirmation at her university.

My case is a bit different with yours that My bf and i have been together for 4 years and he have met my family as well, but my bf is aussie and i am working in Vietnam etc

I had my interview yesterday and i was surprised that they asked me 2 questions: "what is the purpose of your trip to the US?"- Tourism. "What do you do?"- I am working in tourism. And they didn't even look/ask for a piece of paper that i brought in for the interview.

So don't worry too much and be honest and confident