Need Advice: US Tourist Visa

[mhark033 0]

$100,000 USD!? That should be enough for most vacations..

100,000 PHP = ~$2,200 USD

If you plan to visit the US on $2,200 USD, whether it's 'enough' or not depends entirely on what your plans are. There is no set limit to how much money you need for a vacation. The only requirement for a tourist visa is that you can reasonably afford your vacation.

For example, if your plan is to visit your aunt and uncle in California for a week or two and stay with them, $2,200 isn't unreasonable if your plane ticket is already booked.

On the contrary, if your plan is to live it up in Las Vegas for a month, then spend an additional month in New York City, any consular officer would raise an eyebrow or three.

i want to buy plane ticket but many people say that i will buy one once i have the tourist visa hmmm

[mhark033 0]

So I'm guessing it was 100k php, in which case you may need to save a bit more money, since plane tickets are going to be at least half that and food is going to be a ton more, especially for the duration you mentioned.

yes its in peso. actually my food will be shouldered by my friend and his family and other expenses their.

my money is just for buying some stuff such as for my mother when i got back home.

[mhark033 0]

So I'm guessing it was 100k php, in which case you may need to save a bit more money, since plane tickets are going to be at least half that and food is going to be a ton more, especially for the duration you mentioned.

yes its in peso. actually my food will be shouldered by my friend and his family and other expenses their.

my money is just for buying some stuff such as for my mother when i got back home.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Is it ok if i borrow money then ill deposit it on my bank?

Yes, if you tell the CO that it's borrowed money and you have to return it and that the money is truly not yours. In which case, it doesn't help you get a visa.

If you represent the money as yours and not a loan, then it's fraud. You would simply be trying to trick the US Embassy into believing you have money when you don't. Lifetime ban may be possible for a material misrepresentation.

[RhettVoe 282]

How did you meet this 'friend' and why is it so important to visit him now?

[mhark033 0]

How did you meet this 'friend' and why is it so important to visit him now?

he is my best friend since they are here in the philippines. Last january, they migrated in the US. He and his family want me to have some vacation their. I give myself a thought that why not have a vacation. If i may, after college way back in 2012 i have my job then. i mean from college until now i dont give myself at least a vacation to relax myself and enjoy the money that i earned.

This is purely vacation and staying away at least 4 weeks from my stressful job.

Yes, if you tell the CO that it's borrowed money and you have to return it and that the money is truly not yours. In which case, it doesn't help you get a visa.

If you represent the money as yours and not a loan, then it's fraud. You would simply be trying to trick the US Embassy into believing you have money when you don't. Lifetime ban may be possible for a material misrepresentation.

is their any effect when they saw that i have a company loan? i mean does the CO will take it as negative or positive thing?

[aaron2020 11,651]

is their any effect when they saw that i have a company loan? i mean does the CO will take it as negative or positive thing?

Maybe you didn't get the point of my last post.

What does it matter where you get the loan from when it's not your money?

How does someone else's money make it less likely that you would overstay? It doesn't. So yeah - it's a negative.

Edited April 29, 2014 by aaron2020

[JE57 239]

I think it is about 99% certain you will not get a tourist visa. If I am the CO here is why I would not give you one. You only make 35K to 45K per month (Pesos). That is less than you could make in the USA working illegally. So as a CO I think your salary is not proof you will return to the Philippines. Add to that you find your job extremely stressful and need a 4 week break from it. I as a CO think you would quickly give it up. You have a "friend" in the USA who is willing to shoulder the cost of your trip even though he makes minimum wage. I as a CO think that he or you are a little too eager to see each other and I as a CO assume that you and he are in a homosexual relationship. I as a CO give you information about a K-1 application for a Financee visa and send you on your way.

-

So if the fee has already been paid and you have an interview than you might as well go after all it just across town. You would want to go tell the truth when you go to the interview but a little on presentation will help.. Here is the approach I would recommend... Take the approach that your friends family wants to show you a good time in California. You were hesitant to go since you have this great job that you love so much in the philippines. You asked your job about the trip and if you could take 4 weeks and they reluctantly offered to let you leave for 2 since you are so essential to the success of the company. Your girlfriend who you have pictures of in case you are asked really encourages you to go to visit your friend but you'll miss her terribly and so on...... But I sense that none of the above is actually true. I use it for illustration that to get a tourist visa to the USA you have to convince the CO that you Don't want to remain in the USA. The things you've stated here have convinced me that if you are given a tourist visa you'll never return to the Philippines unless you are deported after overstaying illegally. So here is an alternate plan that gets you what you want.

-

Hong Kong has a Disney land and also Ocean Park. Your friend who is presumably at least a legal permanent resident can travel there visa free and you don't require one either. Since his family is interested in seeing you have a vacation perhaps they can instead pay for your friend to head to Hong Kong. You and your friend can spend a week in Hong Kong/Macau and then he can even fly to the philippines with you and you can go spend a week in Baguio. This plan has the advantage of you getting the relaxing vacation you want, of spending time with him, and getting you travel history in your passport that shows the CO in a future attempt that you will not overstay your visit. The ONLY challenge with that plan is that you'd need get past Philippine immigration to be allowed to exit the Philippines to Hong Kong. The 35K / Month job should accomplish that though if you're going to HK or Macau since you can't make that much working illegally in either Hong Kong or Macau.

[notusinganymore 31]

They can write you a letter but it really won't hold any water. Minimum wage though? You sure they would be able to accommodate you? Like would it be enough? Affidavit of support isnt necessary for you since your visa is non-immigrant. No harm in asking though. Good luck!

Edited April 30, 2014 by emmandenn

[mhark033 0]

I think it is about 99% certain you will not get a tourist visa. If I am the CO here is why I would not give you one. You only make 35K to 45K per month (Pesos). That is less than you could make in the USA working illegally. So as a CO I think your salary is not proof you will return to the Philippines. Add to that you find your job extremely stressful and need a 4 week break from it. I as a CO think you would quickly give it up. You have a "friend" in the USA who is willing to shoulder the cost of your trip even though he makes minimum wage. I as a CO think that he or you are a little too eager to see each other and I as a CO assume that you and he are in a homosexual relationship. I as a CO give you information about a K-1 application for a Financee visa and send you on your way.

-

So if the fee has already been paid and you have an interview than you might as well go after all it just across town. You would want to go tell the truth when you go to the interview but a little on presentation will help.. Here is the approach I would recommend... Take the approach that your friends family wants to show you a good time in California. You were hesitant to go since you have this great job that you love so much in the philippines. You asked your job about the trip and if you could take 4 weeks and they reluctantly offered to let you leave for 2 since you are so essential to the success of the company. Your girlfriend who you have pictures of in case you are asked really encourages you to go to visit your friend but you'll miss her terribly and so on...... But I sense that none of the above is actually true. I use it for illustration that to get a tourist visa to the USA you have to convince the CO that you Don't want to remain in the USA. The things you've stated here have convinced me that if you are given a tourist visa you'll never return to the Philippines unless you are deported after overstaying illegally. So here is an alternate plan that gets you what you want.

-

Hong Kong has a Disney land and also Ocean Park. Your friend who is presumably at least a legal permanent resident can travel there visa free and you don't require one either. Since his family is interested in seeing you have a vacation perhaps they can instead pay for your friend to head to Hong Kong. You and your friend can spend a week in Hong Kong/Macau and then he can even fly to the philippines with you and you can go spend a week in Baguio. This plan has the advantage of you getting the relaxing vacation you want, of spending time with him, and getting you travel history in your passport that shows the CO in a future attempt that you will not overstay your visit. The ONLY challenge with that plan is that you'd need get past Philippine immigration to be allowed to exit the Philippines to Hong Kong. The 35K / Month job should accomplish that though if you're going to HK or Macau since you can't make that much working illegally in either Hong Kong or Macau.

Thank you so much for this. I think this is a very good advice. Very straight forward but and has many option to do.

Btw I have already paid for this visa interview. So will just go to the interview and follow your advice such as showing my gf picture and offered only 3 weeks.

for the real thing i have requested 1 month leave but my company opt me to give only 3 weeks.

i have just a question, what if i show the picture of my GF then the CO will ask me why dont you want to go with your gf to have a vacation there?

should i say i have no enough bugdet for her? what would be the best answer.

They can write you a letter but it really won't hold any water. Minimum wage though? You sure they would be able to accommodate you? Like would it be enough? Affidavit of support isnt necessary for you since your visa is non-immigrant. No harm in asking though. Good luck!

my friend is minimum earner, his mother also has the job there his uncle and grandma has also god job there but im not sure with their salary.

[JE57 239]

Don't show the picture of your GF. Mention her as one of the many reasons that you want to come back to the Philippines. Basically when the CO says why do you want to go to the USA your response should be along the lines that you really don't want to go... But that your good friend invited you and it seems like an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity that you want to take advantage of. Even though it's a great opportunity you'll miss the Philipines because the Philipines is your home. This is would be my first trip out of the country. My company depends on me and I am extremely fortunate to have this great job that meets all my needs. My family will miss me, I love them so much and my GF and I will miss each other terribly. Don't talk about money until asked about it. If the CO asks you about money that is a very very good thing... Then you can say you have 100,000 in savings that you'll use for the trip and your friend's family will host you and pay for the trip. JUST DON'T LIE or even Stretch the truth. If you don't have a GF don't make one up. You'll probably be denied be prepared for this (expect it) and perhaps as a result u can go into the interview with enough indifference that you don't come off as desperate for the Visa which if you are not desperate for it your more likely to get it. On the other hand, If your true intent is to visit your boyfriend in the USA, or look for work in the USA then say so in this forum and there are people who can help you accomplish your goals.

You are blessed to live in such an awesome country. I've been to some amazing places there. Zip lining in Baguio was a blast, (scary but a blast), Taal volcano is great and if I were Pinoy I consider going to CDO for white water rafting. Even Enchanted kingdom is pretty cool (although a bit small). And that doesn't even get to the places like the beach resorts of Puerto Gallara. You and your GF or even you and your friend could have an amazing relaxing vacation without leaving the philippines. Once you think about leaving the Philippines South East Asia has so much to offer as well. Not saying a trip to Southern California wouldn't be cool. It would.... but you live in an amazing part of the world

[slowlyman 118]

"should i say i have no enough bugdet for her? what would be the best answer."

You are really spending too much time asking what you should say. The only thing you can say is the truth. Be honest and forthright about everything. You are not going to fool the CO about anything. You will most likely get denied based on what you have offered so far. But, you can apply as many times as you want. Some people have gotten several denials, then get an approval. You just never know about these B-1's

Also, keep in mind, the decision will most likely be made BEFORE you show up for the interview. The interview is a formality, so don;t get too hung up on bringing pictures or worry about what you'll say. Most likely the CO will say you are denied before you even have a chance to offer evidence.

Edited April 30, 2014 by slowlyman

[Cathi 5,783]

the best answer is to always tell the truth. ALWAYS

[JE57 239]

To my fellow members on VJ, nothing I say should be construed to suggest that I'm advising the OP to say anything but the TRUTH. Attempting to tell even 1/2 truths is a bad mistake and I would never advise that. That said we all know that a little preparation in how you answer questions may make a difference if the decision has not already been made. If OP goes in to the interview and says something along the lines of... 'My best friend in the world invited me to join him in S. Cali for 4 weeks because he knows I'm so stressed at my job and I thought to myself why not go, there is no good reason for me to not go, nothing really I have to worry about missing in the Philippines'

Well we know that would virtually gaurantee a denial. It's the truth but there are much better ways to present the same truth in a more positive light. For example,

'I have a once in a lifetime chance to go to the USA to visit my friend, I thought about it, my life is in the Philipines and it will be difficult for me to be away from my family, friends and job but they'll all be there for me when I get back but how can I not take this opportunity' My job is stressful but rewarding and I expect a vacation break will allow me to come back re-energized!

-

Both Truth (presumably the second is also a true statement). Same information, 2nd way of presenting much more positive.

We all know OP will probably be denied.. Probably already has but he asked for advice to increase his chances and how he answers the one question we know will be asked (Why do you want to visitt the USA) give him his best chance.

[mhark033 0]

To my fellow members on VJ, nothing I say should be construed to suggest that I'm advising the OP to say anything but the TRUTH. Attempting to tell even 1/2 truths is a bad mistake and I would never advise that. That said we all know that a little preparation in how you answer questions may make a difference if the decision has not already been made. If OP goes in to the interview and says something along the lines of... 'My best friend in the world invited me to join him in S. Cali for 4 weeks because he knows I'm so stressed at my job and I thought to myself why not go, there is no good reason for me to not go, nothing really I have to worry about missing in the Philippines'

Well we know that would virtually gaurantee a denial. It's the truth but there are much better ways to present the same truth in a more positive light. For example,

'I have a once in a lifetime chance to go to the USA to visit my friend, I thought about it, my life is in the Philipines and it will be difficult for me to be away from my family, friends and job but they'll all be there for me when I get back but how can I not take this opportunity' My job is stressful but rewarding and I expect a vacation break will allow me to come back re-energized!

-

Both Truth (presumably the second is also a true statement). Same information, 2nd way of presenting much more positive.

We all know OP will probably be denied.. Probably already has but he asked for advice to increase his chances and how he answers the one question we know will be asked (Why do you want to visitt the USA) give him his best chance.

Exactly thank you so much.

this is what i need. How to answer question in interview correctly. That would definitely show my exact anwer in a good way

This is exactly on my mind.

"'I have a once in a lifetime chance to go to the USA to visit my friend, I thought about it, my life is in the Philipines and it will be difficult for me to be away from my family, friends and job but they'll all be there for me when I get back but how can I not take this opportunity' My job is stressful but rewarding and I expect a vacation break will allow me to come back re-energized!"

I know in myself that the chance to be denied is high. But i have already paid the fee before i know this fact. so im going to go to the interview

And btw, im here guys to help me out or advice me how to make my situation more approvable to the CO. :)