US Tourist Visa for Ukrainian friend/girlfriend.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

"Practicing the English language" is a really bad reason...

Very typical silly non-answer answer.

A job will help, for sure, for next time.

[Jekt 0]

She does. It's just that with the way application process works, she'd have to wait quite a long time to apply for masters programs here. She suggested starting one here, so that she can have stronger evidence when she reapplies since it will be 2 years of schooling, including her new job at the embassy.

"Practicing the English language" is a really bad reason...

Very typical silly non-answer answer.

A job will help, for sure, for next time.

One of her friends that got a working visa and stayed in Florida for a few months one summer. She used that as one of her explanations, that's why she chose to say that.

[Boiler 45,486]

"Practicing the English language" is a really bad reason...

Very typical silly non-answer answer.

Akin to undertaking Ugandan Discussions?

[Jekt 0]

Akin to undertaking Ugandan Discussions?

huh?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

One of her friends that got a working visa and stayed in Florida for a few months one summer. She used that as one of her explanations, that's why she chose to say that.

Right, that's evidence of the type of silly copy-cat thinking that is not good. A person apples for a visa on their own merits, they should not parrot the answers given by others in disparate situations and hope for the same result. They should tell the truth and be honest.

A lot of people applying for US visas don't understand that, and they think it is a game to "choose" the "right" answers. That is just a recipe for denial.

I have seen that answer on this board many many times, usually among people that are denied. Why spend thousands of dollars to go the US to learn a language? You can learn English in the UK, which is closer, or just take a class in your own town.

This sort of "reason" just erodes away at her credibility.

No permanent harm done, though. She can apply again.

Edited April 14, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[Jekt 0]

We're both very upset. With the current situation going on in Ukraine, my family had a cow when I spoke to them about going to Ukraine, so we may meet in Greece since she already has a Greek Visa.

I'm thinking about the future and what can I do to be able to get her here for a decent length of stay? Are there any resources or agencies that helps people get working visas, or student visas?

One of her suggestions was enroll in the masters program at her university, and in addition to her new job at the Greek Embassy, she feels like that would be sufficient ties to Ukraine, or is this wishful thinking?

Edited April 15, 2014 by Jekt

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

How is she going to do a masters and have a full time job? Is she just "enrolling" to get a visa to the US or does she actually want to get a masters?

[novedsac 355]

How is she going to do a masters and have a full time job? Is she just "enrolling" to get a visa to the US or does she actually want to get a masters?

People work full time and pursue graduate education all the time. It's hectic, but doable. My sister even got through law school while working full time, though it took her four years instead of the usual three.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

People work full time and pursue graduate education all the time. It's hectic, but doable. My sister even got through law school while working full time, though it took her four years instead of the usual three.

Uh, yes, I know. I was asking about her plans.

[Boiler 45,486]

We're both very upset. With the current situation going on in Ukraine, my family had a cow when I spoke to them about going to Ukraine, so we may meet in Greece since she already has a Greek Visa.

There are places in the US I would be more concerned about going to. But a lot of this is subjective.

I'm thinking about the future and what can I do to be able to get her here for a decent length of stay? Are there any resources or agencies that helps people get working visas, or student visas?

An Employer will petition for a Work Visa, University will produce the paperwork to start a Student Visa.

One of her suggestions was enroll in the masters program at her university, and in addition to her new job at the Greek Embassy, she feels like that would be sufficient ties to Ukraine, or is this wishful thinking?

I would have thought the latter.

[Jekt 0]

How is she going to do a masters and have a full time job? Is she just "enrolling" to get a visa to the US or does she actually want to get a masters?

She actually wants to get a masters. We talked about her doing it here but I think applications might be late plus apparently you need tons of money. I have to look into it more. Anyone perhaps have any insight on the matter?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hey Jekt,

I feel for you. I am sure you guys are sad and the whole thing sucks.

But, it's really not a reason to be so sad. Plenty of people are not able to get tourist visas to the US and they still develop relationships with US people, it's just the US person has to travel to them.

Meeting in Greece sounds like a great idea.

Remember, you can't do anything to get her a tourist visa. She has to qualify on her own.

If she wants to do a master's in the US, then she needs to be accepted into a program, and she needs to show she can pay for tuition and living expenses and prove again that she will return home when it is over.

She can also try again for a tourist visa.

Good luck.

[RhettVoe 282]

having just gotten a job at the embassy will not entitle her to months of paid vacation...no doubt the CO noticed she was likely trying to conceal any relationship between the both of you...no one wanders around NY, practicing English, from developing countries or countries in the middle of a crisis....no one with a new job has earned any vacation time yet....why not visit her in Greece? Easier for you, piece of cake for her.

[Al422 221]

Let me tell you how my former Russian fiance, beat the odds and got a tourist visa to come here:

First of all her only real tie to Russia is two apartments she owns in Ektarinburg. Other than that, no family, and a mediocre job using a skill that could earn her a fortune here: She is a professional English-Russian interpreter. She teaches English to Russian citizens at a small language school. She has already had big money gigs in the Middle East interpreting for Lukoil executives who went there, as well as being a tour guide for Russian citizens in England.

Portable, in demand skill. Her only ties to Russia are a mediocre job and two apartments that she can hire a real estate company to manage for her and collect the rents.

Seems like a visa application that was dead from the starting gate. Her asserted reason: To be immersed in English and get better at it. (She already speaks better English than I do because of her professional training in grammar and usage.) Her real reason was to come here and live with me for a while.

Against the odds, she got the visa.

So never say never.

[gustavo2319 0]

Do you know if the US embassy will check social networks? Facebook, Vkontakte? before approving a visa?