Help on starting to apply for tourist visa from phillipines to USA

[aaron2020 11,651]

Thanks for the input. It has crossed my mind to go to another country. But I just not sure which one would be the best. I think right now we are just going to tackle the Visa head on. If it takes 1,2 or 3 or even 4 times so be it. People get them everyday and she will get one eventually. I would be interested in what you went through to finally get your visa if you care to share. Would really appreciate what you went through and what they really ask. Thanks again.

Don't you think she will look desperate applying 4 times?

You really need to think about the consequences of applying and getting rejected under her circumstances.

You're thinking no harm no foul.

There is a "regular" way to do this. You need to get yourself to the PI.

Good luck since you are set on your path despite all the advice you have been given.

[RJC 0]

Don't you think she will look desperate applying 4 times?

You really need to think about the consequences of applying and getting rejected under her circumstances.

You're thinking no harm no foul.

There is a "regular" way to do this. You need to get yourself to the PI.

Good luck since you are set on your path despite all the advice you have been given.

Maybe you should read the post before yours. This person took 3 times. They got a Visa!!!!

[DandC 13]

Well she has since backed off from me sending her money to put into her account. She is basing this on others who have seemed to got their visa in the past. Right now she is going to start process to get passport. Can anyone tell me how much it cost for her to get a passport?? I appreciate everyones input on here. I have nothing else to go on. Thanks

Hi @RGC. Here's a link where you can find passport costs: http://www.passport.com.ph/passport-fees. Pretty cheap.

As for the tourist visa, while it is not easy for Filipinos to get approved, it is possible. I applied for tourist visa twice before and both times got approved for multiple entries. I didn't have any money in the bank that time and the consular officer didn't also ask for any financial documents from me. I was working at that time though but it wasn't a big time job or anything. Your girl can always try. Who knows, right? But please do not send any money to someone you haven't met yet.

All the best!

[RJC 0]

Hi @RGC. Here's a link where you can find passport costs: http://www.passport.com.ph/passport-fees. Pretty cheap.

As for the tourist visa, while it is not easy for Filipinos to get approved, it is possible. I applied for tourist visa twice before and both times got approved for multiple entries. I didn't have any money in the bank that time and the consular officer didn't also ask for any financial documents from me. I was working at that time though but it wasn't a big time job or anything. Your girl can always try. Who knows, right? But please do not send any money to someone you haven't met yet.

All the best!

Thanks so much for your POSITIVE comments and your information. Can you give any insights on what they ask during the interview for the Visa. I have no idea. What sort of info is good to search for in advanced search? Congrats on your VISA!!!!!

[Camelot13 63]

I think it would be a good idea for your girlfriend to work on strengthening her ties to her home country. If she gets denied the first time, it's not really going to help reapplying with the same situation over and over again. You said she's a student, but if she can get a job that might help, along with bills in her name and anything to show she is not going to stay in the US.

[No name 88 48]

Go for the B2 visa. Everyone here told me my wife couldn't get one with an immigrant petition filed. It was approved one try. You can assist in filing her visa form. At the end of the form it asks if you had help and can put you name.

[Ning 619]

I think it would be a good idea for your girlfriend to work on strengthening her ties to her home country. If she gets denied the first time, it's not really going to help reapplying with the same situation over and over again. You said she's a student, but if she can get a job that might help, along with bills in her name and anything to show she is not going to stay in the US.

Unfortunately a job wont help because the job can be replaced as easily as it was begun. Bills are worthless in these situations.

These B 2 visas are very hard to get due to the strongest ties rule. This means people must prove beyond doubt they MUST return. This is more difficult in some countries than others. Hers is one of those.

[Markrivers 0]

Go to the Philippines. Plan a trip together, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia or any other South East Asian countries not requiring a VISA. You can even go to Brazil, Philippine passport holders DO NOT need a VISA there as well.

Upon return, apply for a CANADIAN VISA instead, on the application it's going to be you ( boyfriend) and her doing the trip. It's a lot easier to get THAT vs a B1/B2 VISA.

Once approved, THEN you apply for US VISA. You have better chances since she already "GOT " a North American VISA.

A trip involving NIAGARA falls will be more believable and will work in your favor.

The key is YOU meeting her in the Philiipines, going on a short trip outside the country AND then applying for the VISAs i have mentioned.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Hello everyone, Im brand new here. I have been conversing with a Filipino woman for the past year. I would like to help her to visit me here in the USA. She is single and in college. Does not have a job at present time. Of course like a lot of Filipino women she is on the poor side of the economy there. Can anyone give me pointers on what to do to aid her in getting a visa to visit me here? I have no clue where to start or what the chances are she can indeed get one. What are the does and donts when it comes to applying. Does it take months or years to get approved? What can I do to help her and what can she do to help herself get approved.

Been there, done that, RJC. My wife is from the Philippines. We chatted online for almost a year when I decided I wanted to meet her. I thought it would be a great experience for her to visit the USA and meet me at the same time so that we would have evidence of meeting in the past 2 years. We covered all the bases, itinerary letters, round trip tickets, accommodation reservations and ticket receipts for Walt Disney World, and I even signed a sponsor form to ensure she would not be deemed a public charge.

Then we made sure she had ample funds in her bank, almost $8,000 USD, a letter of returning to work, she had a great job as a QA Manager, as well as family, friends and religious community ties to her country. Come the day of the interview they asked her 3 questions:

1. Have you ever traveled outside the Philippines?

2. How old are you?

3. Are you married or single?

She answered all honestly and she was denied in a vague response that basically said, in not so many words, that she proved all her ties to the Philippines, but they were not convinced she was coming back due to her being a single, 28 year old unmarried woman.

Save yourself the money and save it toward a nice trip to the Philippines or Singapore (where I decided to meet my wife), and meet her instead. That is what I did, and I never regretted it. Not only did I get engaged to the woman of my dreams, but I got to see the beauty of Asia!

[RJC 0]

Thanks so much for your info and story! And Congrats. So you got to meet her and get engaged but how did she then get a Visa to come to the US then. It seems the phillipines is like a prison and the people there cant get out. Is there a special kind of Visa for someone who is engaged or something?

[Boiler 45,970]

Yes

[Ning 619]

Thanks so much for your info and story! And Congrats. So you got to meet her and get engaged but how did she then get a Visa to come to the US then. It seems the phillipines is like a prison and the people there cant get out. Is there a special kind of Visa for someone who is engaged or something?

It isn't about the policies of the P I at all. Its a simple process for her to apply for a tourist visa. She isn't in prison; shes in the P I therefore she has to try to overcome the long history of fraudulent use of B 2 visas.

The denial will be based on her inability to prove beyond doubt she must return.

One member told his story. They tried everything but made some mistakes. One was to attempt to provide some proof of being a sponsor. Providing support seems like a good idea until the officer reads the comment and decides the women would have no reason to return simply because of that support. I hope you can see that even though he did a pretty good job in trying it didn't work.

You have a lot to learn if you are going to attempt to bring her to the USA with any visa. V J is a great source of info. Begin by reading the info about K 1 visas.

[SennaBrigante 92]

I dont know understand why she has to fly to the US to meet you. Can you not fly to the Philippines or a different country to meet her? Like people mentioned, documents really aren't asked for that often in interviews. On my third try I didn't even bother bringing any updated documents with me, just my the old documents I brought with me on my last interview, the latest appointment confirmation page and passport.

In our case there was no other way because my ex-bf (now my husband) was on probation and wasn't allowed to leave the country.

I think it also helped me that I had lots of stamps from other trips to Hong Kong and China which showed that I'm a tourist and that I always went back home without incident.

My stepsister was an identical case to mine. We've gone on multiple trips to Hong Kong together, not a lot of money in the bank, we were both 28 y/o, single and childless and she got approved on her first try.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Thanks so much for your info and story! And Congrats. So you got to meet her and get engaged but how did she then get a Visa to come to the US then. It seems the phillipines is like a prison and the people there cant get out. Is there a special kind of Visa for someone who is engaged or something?

Once we met in Singapore, I immediately filed the I-129f form for the K-1 fiance visa (upon my return home to the USA). One year later she was here in the USA (Jan 27th 2014). We married on 02/14/14 and been happier ever since.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

So yes, RJC, there is a special visa for those who are engaged, it is called a K-1 Visa. When you file for this type of visa, note it can take about 4-7 months to complete the process (at least in the Philippines). Check out the guides here on the site. Note that in order to file a K-1 Visa you have to meet your fiance first.

If you aren't sure about visiting in the Philippines, consider meeting in Singapore or any other Asian country where she does not need a visa to travel.