Tourist Visa While Traveling and Other Questions

[captawesome 0]

Hello all,

I just stumbled across this community from Reddit as I've been researching how to go about getting a Tourist Visa for my Guatemalan girlfriend.

I've got a general idea of the process from reading the info on the US Embassy website. Basically it looks like it takes 27-30 days to get an interview appointement here in Guatemala so I understand that aspect of it. But I've got some questions I haven't been able to answer yet and hoping some folks here can help me out:

1. I understand that she will have to turn over her passport at the Embassy while everything's being processed. This effectively means that she can't travel out of country while that's happening. Does anyone have any idea of what kind of timeframe we're talking about for that? We're planning to travel through South America and Central America before heading to the US and being without a passport will obviously delay things.
2. The embassy wants her to provide an address where the passport/visa can be sent to. However, there's no such thing as local mail delivery in this part of Guatemala and she's never needed a home address for anything. Any ideas on how to deal with this? There is a local post office...should we just have it sent there and she can go pick it up or something?
3. I'll be funding the trip for her...what kind of evidence am I going to need to provide? A screenshot of my bank account balances or something else?
4. For ties to the country, she has jobs at two schools teaching Spanish in Guatemala. Any recommendations on how to show that? Everything's cash here, so she doesn't really have paycheck stubs or anything. Perhaps letters from each school confirming that she works there?
5. I'm hoping for the 10 year visa allow multiple reentries. Are there any pieces of advice to help us get that instead of some shorter term visa?

Appreciate any help the community can provide.

[Hypnos 6,578]

From Guatemala her chances of receiving a tourist visa are slim, especially with a US citizen boyfriend. They will probably tell her to file for a K-1 instead.

She will likely receive a yes or no decision at the interview, so keeping her passport should not be a problem.

She would need to demonstrate that she is able to fund the trip herself, you would have no part in the process.

[captawesome 0]

From Guatemala her chances of receiving a tourist visa are slim, especially with a US citizen boyfriend. They will probably tell her to file for a K-1 instead.

She will likely receive a yes or no decision at the interview, so keeping her passport should not be a problem.

She would need to demonstrate that she is able to fund the trip herself, you would have no part in the process.

Why would they tell her to file a K-1 visa? We have no plans to get married at this time. Marriage is taken very seriously here (and especially by this particular girl) and the last thing I want is to scare the ####### out of her. The idea of traveling as much as I'm suggesting is sufficient enough to do that.

According to the gov't website, she does not need to show that she can fund the trip herself if someone else is providing that assistance. Straight from the Dept. of State website (emphasis and color is mine):

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip;
• Your intent to depart the U.S. after your trip; and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Edited January 8, 2014 by captawesome

[Hypnos 6,578]

I'd hope marriage is taken seriously everywhere.

Whilst it's true that the alien can accept assistance to help pay for the visit, that will again play into the fact that it may show the alien having weak ties to their home country and would be dependent on the US citizen.

Certainly it can't hurt to apply, but without substantial ties her chance of success is slim.

[captawesome 0]

Whilst it's true that the alien can accept assistance to help pay for the visit, that will again play into the fact that it may show the alien having weak ties to their home country and would be dependent on the US citizen.

Okay, so what should she use to show she has sufficient funds to cover the trip? Does she need to open a bank account and show a statement or show them a wad of cash or something?

[Hypnos 6,578]

No one can tell you exactly what she needs, because if there was a one-trick formula then people would exploit it.

She needs to demonstrate strong ties to Guatemala, which usually means a job or university studies, property ownership, or other things which would necessitate her return. They are concerned that once she's in the US you will marry and she will remain and adjust status. By law, every visa applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant, and it's her job to demonstrate otherwise.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Hypnos

[captawesome 0]

No one can tell you exactly what she needs, because if there was a one-trick formula then people would exploit it.

I'm not talking about a one-trick formula. I think my question is quite a basic one, which is: "What is considered sufficient proof that an individual has sufficent funds to cover costs of travel: bank statements, cash on hand, etc?" To me, this is a very basic piece of information that I expect the embassy would be looking for in most cases. I don't think it's a reach to suggest that there is a standard type of evidence/proof that they would want to see. The US gov't is a huge organization and typically large organizations have some sort of standardized procedures or common practices, particularly when they could be subject to lawsuits, court orders, and other such difficulties.

[MacUK 983]

I'm not talking about a one-trick formula. I think my question is quite a basic one, which is: "What is considered sufficient proof that an individual has sufficent funds to cover costs of travel: bank statements, cash on hand, etc?" To me, this is a very basic piece of information that I expect the embassy would be looking for in most cases. I don't think it's a reach to suggest that there is a standard type of evidence/proof that they would want to see. The US gov't is a huge organization and typically large organizations have some sort of standardized procedures or common practices, particularly when they could be subject to lawsuits, court orders, and other such difficulties.

There is a standard practice.

By law, EVERY single applicant for a tourist visa is considered to be an illegal immigrant until they prove to the consular officers satisfaction that they MUST return home.

That's the issue, it is to the consular officers satisfaction. There's no form or letter or bit of paper that can guarantee an approval. If there was then within seconds there'd be someone offering to fake the documentation for applicants.

A lot of it boils down to how well the applicant answers questions at the interview stage. The officers are trained to search for inconsistencies in answers or evasive answers.

And there is no risk to them of law suits or court orders, the consular officers decision is final and no senator or judge can overturn it. I believe not even the President can order a consular officer to approve a tourist visa.

Remember, although they are interested in how she will fund her trip they are more interested in making sure she wont abuse the visa by staying.

For a lot of people around the world a tourist visa to the US is very difficult to attain. Especially when the applicant has lots of things going against them.

I've applied three times for tourist visas, and been refused three times.

[captawesome 0]

There is a standard practice.

By law, EVERY single applicant for a tourist visa is considered to be an illegal immigrant until they prove to the consular officers satisfaction that they MUST return home.

That's the issue, it is to the consular officers satisfaction. There's no form or letter or bit of paper that can guarantee an approval. If there was then within seconds there'd be someone offering to fake the documentation for applicants.

A lot of it boils down to how well the applicant answers questions at the interview stage. The officers are trained to search for inconsistencies in answers or evasive answers.

And there is no risk to them of law suits or court orders, the consular officers decision is final and no senator or judge can overturn it. I believe not even the President can order a consular officer to approve a tourist visa.

Remember, although they are interested in how she will fund her trip they are more interested in making sure she wont abuse the visa by staying.

For a lot of people around the world a tourist visa to the US is very difficult to attain. Especially when the applicant has lots of things going against them.

Okay, well your context helps a bit so thanks. I'll spend time making sure she understands the interview process is the most important and I will try to provide her with whatever support I can to get through the process.

I know a couple of locals here who've gotten Tourist Visas so the negative reaction of the other poster was a bit of a surprise.

I've applied three times for tourist visas, and been refused three times.

Well yeah...we spent long enough fighting the British, what happens if we start letting them into the country (again)? You people are dangerous.

[MacUK 983]

we spent long enough fighting the British, what happens if we start letting them into the country (again)? You people are dangerous

We'll just keep sending you all our naff actors and second rate musicians. First Hollywood, then all the states, then THE WORLD!!

[captawesome 0]

We'll just keep sending you all our naff actors and second rate musicians. First Hollywood, then all the states, then THE WORLD!!

If Emma Watson needs a US Visa, I'm happy to offer up my services as a husband

[Teddy B 17,252]

Okay, so what should she use to show she has sufficient funds to cover the trip? Does she need to open a bank account and show a statement or show them a wad of cash or something?

A new bank account with a recent influx of money will more than likely be seen as a negative, rather than a positive. It will raise the question of where the money came from. When she answers my USC boyfriend, she will then establish a stronger tie to the US (you) than she has to her home country.

Tourist visas from high risk countries, which Guatemala is one, can be very hard to obtain. It is best for her to show financial independence and strong ties to her country without outside help. If she does not provide enough evidence to satisfy the consular officer, then she will be denied the visa. Then you will be limited to either a fiance or marriage visa as a way for her to come to the US.

There is no concrete way to obtain a visa, every case is judged separately and differently.

Good Luck.

[Boiler 46,121]

She has 2 jobs but can take time off both to go travelling through Central America, South America and North America?

Most people I know with 2 jobs just need time to sleep!