Can my wife get a tourist visa ?

[A F N 0]

Hello there

Im an American citizen and my wife is Tunisian , we live currently in Dubai

we want to visit the states this summer

she never been there before

she doesn't have a job

can she still get the visa just because she is married to me ?

[milimelo 4,544]

Based on being married to a USC, and also not having a job, she is on the path for denial. Doesn't hurt to try though. Won't affect immigrant visa.

[MacUK 983]

She can't get a tourist visa just based on being married to you at all. The biggest hurdle to overcome with tourist visas is being able to prove that you will leave the US after your visit. She has to prove to the Consular Officer her ties to her country of residence.

Her being married to a US citizen can actually be seen as a negative as it provides reason for her to stay in the US.

To overcome that she would have to show reasons why the both of you must return, jobs, property etc.

A tourist visa for the States is actually quite difficult to get for a lot of people around the world. Under US law the consular officer must assume that every applicant is attempting to immigrate illegally until they prove otherwise, guilty until proven innocent if you like.

But there's nothing to stop her applying, as many times as she likes if you can afford the application fees.

And if you do plan to move back to the US in the future, a tourist visa denied due to lack of ties wont have any impact on future immigration visas.

[A F N 0]

this is sucks! why everything has to be very complicated?

now what should we do?

i want her to meet my family

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

If you can prove that you live in Dubai and have strong ties to there (a reason to return), and the trip to the US is only a visit, I think it could be possible.

Usually, when the USC lives in the US and the foreign spouse wants to "visit" them in the states, that's almost an automatic denial, but since you live in Dubai, it may be worth a try. Afterall, it costs about $150 and a couple hours of your time, no biggie.

Edited January 21, 2014 by Eric-Pris

[A F N 0]

no strong ties or any other %^*# . she is married to me and should have a right to visit .

i have a feeling that you guys complicates everything. cause i see many people getting visas very easily around here , also american citizens like me who are married to foreign women

they apply and get the visa in less than a month and most of their wives has no job & diffently no strong ties to their countries of origin

[RhettVoe 282]

No one who is not an American citizen nor legal permanent resident has the Right to visit the United States....being the spouse of a USC does not bestow any special privileges upon that person. While you may think it unfair that she must qualify for a tourist visa the same as any other individual, you can thank the countless number of visa abusers who failed to liveup to their promises to return to their country after visiting....yes, the Mind Changers of the World have brought this about, not the laws nor 'mean ' consular officials...blame the ones who thought they were above the law, the ones who lacked the morals to respect the privilege once given to them.

[Soul Mates 44]

Just because people are stating she will probably get denied doesn't mean she WILL get denied. All you can do is apply for a tourist visa and see what happens. Good luck.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

i have a feeling that you guys complicates everything. cause i see many people getting visas very easily around here , also american citizens like me who are married to foreign women

they apply and get the visa in less than a month and most of their wives has no job & diffently no strong ties to their countries of origin

Since you seem to know better than the people on this board, why did you even bother to ask?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Hello there

Im an American citizen and my wife is Tunisian , we live currently in Dubai

we want to visit the states this summer

she never been there before

she doesn't have a job

can she still get the visa just because she is married to me ?

Nope she sure can’t. To get a visitor Visa, your wife has to show every reason why she will return to her country not working is not going to help her cause.

Having a I-130 filed shows immigration intent and people from countries that aren’t VWP have a very tough time getting a visitor Visa.

You might be thinking of people from VWP countries that can bascially come and go as they please. We aren't making anything difficult just telling you the facts. Coming from her country regardless where you live now doesn't matter. If people from her country have a history of not returning it makes it harder on thenext person. Fait no but thats life in immigration.

Edited January 21, 2014 by dwheels76

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Having a I-130 filed shows immigration intent and people from countries that aren’t VWP have a very tough time getting a visitor Visa.

Where did you read about I-130?

[RhettVoe 282]

If your reasons for being in Dubai for a considerable period of time (i.e., a solid job with a long term contract or assignment), then her chances would improve since it would be unlikely you would toss your career choices away merely to circumvent the wait time of an immigrant visa petition...if you are assigned there for a short time, then it's more problematic she would be approved...

[dwheels76 5,468]

Where did you read about I-130?

Sorry I assumed since he said his wife. Does it matter really if they married or not. Goodness.

[apple21 953]

Just apply and find out. It's that simple, really.

[MacUK 983]

no strong ties or any other %^*# . she is married to me and should have a right to visit .

i have a feeling that you guys complicates everything. cause i see many people getting visas very easily around here , also american citizens like me who are married to foreign women

they apply and get the visa in less than a month and most of their wives has no job & diffently no strong ties to their countries of origin

My kids are both US citizens, morally I 'should' have a right to visit them too. Unfortunately the embassy here sees them as being a huge reason why I've been denied a tourist visa three times.

Not that I blame the consular staff, they are just doing their jobs. Until I can prove beyond doubt that I wont abuse the visa I'll keep getting denied.

Or unless that nice Irish lad Barry O'Bama changes the law that states that ALL applicants are assumed to have immigrant intent until they prove overwise.