Family of 3 visiting parents in the US

[december 0]

Hi All,

My husband and I together with our 9month old baby are planning to visit our parents in CA. We are currently employed in the Philippines (he's a Mechanical Engineer and I'm an IT Software Sales Manager). My in-laws who were petitioned last year by one of our Aunts (she and her family is staying in CA for more than 30 years now) wont be able to come home to the Philippines on their grandson's 1st bday and they may not be able to come back to the Philippines next year to see our baby (he's the first grandson in the family by the way) so we decided to visit them instead.Is there a good chance of getting our tourist visa approved?TIA?

[canadian_wife 1,827]

Pros- Good jobs in PI, ties to PI, money in PI

Cons - Family traveling together, family in the US

Difficult to tell. But certainly worth a try

Good luck

[december 0]

Can you give me a tip on what could be the best statement to say to ensure them that we wont overstay in the US?Thank you so much

[Boiler 45,952]

That would depend on your individual circumstances.

[december 0]

Hi Bolier, given the above details on our job and reason for travel, what could be the reason that the CO will disapprove our tourist visa? TIA

[Boiler 45,952]

Very high rate of visa misuse from fellow nationals. How you differentiate yourself is the issue. After all you would not have posted on here asking if you were not aware of the issue.

[cristina16 81]

The burden to prove your ties in the Philippines are on you. A good job, properties, service agreement with work, financial capacity, etc. They are also asking previous travels to other countries. There is no sure formula on this. Although none of the requirements was asked from me, these are the common proof of ties. You have to be extra convincing that you have no immigration intent since you are applying for the whole family. Is your husband on petition?

[Torete 121]

Can you give me a tip on what could be the best statement to say to ensure them that we wont overstay in the US?Thank you so much

My MIL from the Philippines twice tried unsuccessfully for a B1 visa. Third try was a charm...approved. Nothing in her circumstances changed. The ONLY thing she did differently at the interview was to answer the CO's first question this way. We'll never know if this was the reason for the approval, but we believe so.

Q/ What is the purpose of your visit?

A/ "To visit my daughter, three grandchildren, and SIL whom are all USC's, leaving behind 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren, in addition to two properties fully owned in the Philippines. All my extended family, friends remain in the Philippines". All in one breath. :-)

That was asked on previous two attempts, each time answered generically but truthfully with "To visit my family".

[aaron2020 11,651]

Can you give me a tip on what could be the best statement to say to ensure them that we wont overstay in the US?Thank you so much

There is no statement that they can make that would ensure they would not overstay.

What can they say or write that would ensure they get on a plane? Nothing.

[december 0]

The burden to prove your ties in the Philippines are on you. A good job, properties, service agreement with work, financial capacity, etc. They are also asking previous travels to other countries. There is no sure formula on this. Although none of the requirements was asked from me, these are the common proof of ties. You have to be extra convincing that you have no immigration intent since you are applying for the whole family. Is your husband on petition?

[december 0]

The burden to prove your ties in the Philippines are on you. A good job, properties, service agreement with work, financial capacity, etc. They are also asking previous travels to other countries. There is no sure formula on this. Although none of the requirements was asked from me, these are the common proof of ties. You have to be extra convincing that you have no immigration intent since you are applying for the whole family. Is your husband on petition?

Hi Cristina,

My husband is not on petition, neither myself. Should I tell details like our properties, job and travel histories even if the CO wont ask about it? Or would it be a harm to tell details not being asked?Thanks.

[december 0]

My MIL from the Philippines twice tried unsuccessfully for a B1 visa. Third try was a charm...approved. Nothing in her circumstances changed. The ONLY thing she did differently at the interview was to answer the CO's first question this way. We'll never know if this was the reason for the approval, but we believe so.

Q/ What is the purpose of your visit?

A/ "To visit my daughter, three grandchildren, and SIL whom are all USC's, leaving behind 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren, in addition to two properties fully owned in the Philippines. All my extended family, friends remain in the Philippines". All in one breath. :-)

That was asked on previous two attempts, each time answered generically but truthfully with "To visit my family".

Hi,

Thank you for this, I was actually thinking of dong the same thing. To tell my status in one go, like stating our job and properties here in the Ph. I was even thinking of telling them that my son is the first grandson whom my in-laws are longing to see and since they wont be able to come home this year for my son's 1st bday and not even sure if they can go back to the Ph next year, we decided to visit them instead. Plus the fact that my FIL will be celebrating his 65th bday but wont be able to see us. Not sure which details would convince them that we really have no intention of overstaying. Btw, so happy for your MIL, trying it the 3rd time and succeed was epic!?

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Yes, include the properties and travel history outside of the Philippines. I say this because the Philippines is a country where it is VERY hard to get a tourist visa UNLESS you show very significant ties back there. What I mean by showing significant ties is that you both have jobs that you will go back to when you come back, properties, and that you have means to help support yourself when you are there(money).
It is so hard for regular Pinoys to get a tourist visa because your kabayans previously went and got a tourist visa to the USA and never came back to the Philippines. So that makes it that much harder for people like your family to just go there for a visit.

[december 0]

Yes, include the properties and travel history outside of the Philippines. I say this because the Philippines is a country where it is VERY hard to get a tourist visa UNLESS you show very significant ties back there. What I mean by showing significant ties is that you both have jobs that you will go back to when you come back, properties, and that you have means to help support yourself when you are there(money).

It is so hard for regular Pinoys to get a tourist visa because your kabayans previously went and got a tourist visa to the USA and never came back to the Philippines. So that makes it that much harder for people like your family to just go there for a visit.

Hi,

Should I tell about the travel history and properties even if the CO wont ask about it?Thanks!

[KierenHby 899]

Hi Cristina,

My husband is not on petition, neither myself. Should I tell details like our properties, job and travel histories even if the CO wont ask about it? Or would it be a harm to tell details not being asked?Thanks.

Those should be part of the documentation(s) submitted with the application.

Interview is usually short, decision tentatively made beforehand, interviewing officer may not entertain additional details if already leaning towards denial.