Chances Of Getting My Tourist Visa Approved

[Dimizzle 0]

Hi, all. I'm new here but I've been lurking around for some time.

I just have a few questions and hoping for answers.

I am considering of getting a tourist US visa and there are just so many bad stories about getting one, paying for more than a hundred bucks and get denied.

I want to weigh in my chances first, I know I wouldn't know for sure if I will be approved unless I file for an application and go through the interview itself but I want to know and consider the facts before I take actions. Here is a brief bullet presentation of my background

• I'm 22 years old
• Married
• A 3yo daughter
• Not employed/I have a small business
• Working husband
• Whole family based in the Philippines
• I have an aunt with 2 of my cousins in the US
• Might go back to school to finish degree
• I haven't visited other countries
• If ever granted, I will be staying at my aunt's place during the duration of my visit

Now my questions are

• Is it okay if my father (ofw/seaman) will pay for my expenses during my stay in the US?
• I heard they are looking for strong ties in your home country, does leaving my kid and husband here consider as one?
• Or will it be a factor that I'm leaving my kid and husband here? (My kid is too young for an international tour and my husband cant leave work)
• Again, about the strong ties, will I have a better chance of getting approved if I apply while enrolled in school?

I don't have any intentions of over staying or any other illegal shenanigans. I just want to innocently visit the US as a tourist as it has always been my dream to do so. I hope I get a lot of input here because it will really help with deciding whether to file or not.

Thanks!

Edited September 22, 2015 by noreendmcha

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Pros

Married (assuming husband stays in PI)

Daughter (assuming daughter stays in PI)

Small business

Cons

Young

Family in the US

No real travel outside PI

Unemployed (your words although you own a business?!?!?)

Irrelevant

"Might" go to school

You'll only know if you apply

Good luck

[Dimizzle 0]

Pros

Married (assuming husband stays in PI)

Daughter (assuming daughter stays in PI)

Small business

Cons

Young

Family in the US

No real travel outside PI

Unemployed (your words although you own a business?!?!?)

Irrelevant

"Might" go to school

You'll only know if you apply

Good luck

Hi! Thank you for your response. And yes, my husband and daughter are both staying here in the Philippines, my husband works here and my daughter is in her pre-school as of the moment. Thank you for highlighting my lack of international travel, will consider going in a few non-visa countries before applying for a US visa. And by unemployed, I meant I'm not an employee, I just run my own business (small coffee shop).

Thank you for your input! Beautiful blessings!

Edited September 22, 2015 by noreendmcha

[cutie bear 2]

Travelling to "few non-visa" countries does not guarantee a US tourist visa. being an entrepreneur or a business owner would probably help but (would like to emphasize) it is not a guarantee. Good luck with your application and keep us posted!

[HFM181818 750]

The CO will be wondering why you would want to (a) leave a 3 year old child, (b) your husband and © a small business that likely needs your help to then (1) spend several thousands of someone's dollars to (2) see an aunt for a couple of weeks.

In the CO's eyes, that sort of request usually means one or two things: (1) finding work, say, as a babysitter for said aunt or (2) finding a US spouse (which probably doesn't apply to your situation).

Number 1 is more likely from the CO's position, because spending an inordinate amount of money for a trip of this kind makes little sense.

Just something to consider.

[KierenHby 899]

Hmm.. the whole thing sounds odd.

Why would you want to travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars as a visitor without your family? If you want some 'me' time, or a break from the daily routine, try visiting nearby (singapore, macau, australia, bali come to mind).

ps.. I am married, and I don't like travelling to special places without my wife.

[az2014 381]

Doesn't sound very convincing and as previously posted just doesnt really add up, going by yourself so far.

If I was the CO I would not approve you but hey you might as well try only $160 to lose.

[HFM181818 750]

The purpose of this trip just doesn't make sense....spending a huge sum of money to visit some aunt....her husband is a merchant seaman, I believe....which means he's out to sea quite a bit each year....

Another thought comes to mind....'birth tourism' - namely, traveling to the US to have a child there and thus obtain US citizenship for said child.

A CO will be more than skeptical.

To the OP: offering to leave a child or spouse behind is not a positive element of a B2 visa interview...in fact, it will often hasten a denial. Far too many people, from a variety of countries, including the PI, have abandoned children and spouses to find a new life in the US....

As for claiming you will enroll in school, well, that statement holds no weight whatsoever and in any event, such a claim is not legally enforceable.

Edited September 22, 2015 by HFM181818

[Boiler 46,108]

Apply an find out, anything else is speculation.

[Dimizzle 0]

Wow. I lot of really judgemental and racist reply there.

First of all, I am not going to the US to find a job as my life here in the PH is completely going well. Why would I give up being a well off entrepreneur and be someone else's babysitter for a freaking green card? My cousin's in the US doesn't need babysitting, THEY'RE GROWN UP PEOPLE.

Second, as I have said, I wouldn't bring my daughter and husband along because (1) My kid can get really grumpy, would I bring a 3 year old child with small little feet to walk around the New York streets with me? Especially if it was my first time in the city? I don't think so. Would you bring a 3 year old child to the world's tallest roller coaster? Nope. (2) My husband runs a family business that he can just leave whenever he wants to. And he's gonna take in charge of my business while I'm out. He's not a sea farer, btw he has his own US visa if that gives you the satisfaction. Thus, gives you the fact that someone will take care of my daughter, aside from the grandparents, while I'm gone.

Third, this trip is supposedly to be a gift to me from my father. We will cut the expenses in half. Now shoot me in the head because I have supportive parents who wants to help me cross one thing on my bucket list. I wouldn't be asking for this tour if I couldn't afford it.

Fourth, just because the people of the PH has a reputation of marrying a US citizen for a freaking green card doesn't mean every Filipino has the intention to do so. (but thanks to those freaking nutjob for blowing it up for everybody else) I don't need a green card. I just want to freaking see and experience the place I've been dreaming of since I was a kid.

Fifth, somebody told me that there are lots of non visa countries I could visit instead of going to the US. Yeah countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hongkong and other Asian countries that exactly looks like the Philippines. Japan, Korea and Australia needs visa. If I'm getting a visa and if I'm gonna go all through the hassle, better make it worth it and get the one I've been really dreaming of which is VISIT the US.

If I was from a different country, say I was from the UK, France or Italy, would you give me the same judgemental answers? I guess not.

Beautiful blessings to all of you.

Edited September 22, 2015 by noreendmcha

[Boiler 46,108]

Apply and let us know how it goes.

[cdneh 3,112]

Wow. I lot of really judgemental and racist reply there.

First of all, I am not going to the US to find a job as my life here in the PH is completely going well. Why would I give up being a well off entrepreneur and be someone else's babysitter for a freaking green card? My cousin's in the US doesn't need babysitting, THEY'RE GROWN UP PEOPLE.

Second, as I have said, I wouldn't bring my daughter and husband along because (1) My kid can get really grumpy, would I bring a 3 year old child with small little feet to walk around the New York streets with me? Especially if it was my first time in the city? I don't think so. Would you bring a 3 year old child to the world's tallest roller coaster? Nope. (2) My husband runs a family business that he can just leave whenever he wants to. And he's gonna take in charge of my business while I'm out. He's not a sea farer, btw he has his own US visa if that gives you the satisfaction. Thus, gives you the fact that someone will take care of my daughter, aside from the grandparents, while I'm gone.

Third, this trip is supposedly to be a gift to me from my father. We will cut the expenses in half. Now shoot me in the head because I have supportive parents who wants to help me cross one thing on my bucket list. I wouldn't be asking for this tour if I couldn't afford it.

Fourth, just because the people of the PH has a reputation of marrying a US citizen for a freaking green card doesn't mean every Filipino has the intention to do so. (but thanks to those freaking nutjob for blowing it up for everybody else) I don't need a green card. I just want to freaking see and experience the place I've been dreaming of since I was a kid.

Fifth, somebody told me that there are lots of non visa countries I could visit instead of going to the US. Yeah countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hongkong and other Asian countries that exactly looks like the Philippines. Japan, Korea and Australia needs visa. If I'm getting a visa and if I'm gonna go all through the hassle, better make it worth it and get the one I've been really dreaming of which is VISIT the US.

If I was from a different country, say I was from the UK, France or Italy, would you give me the same judgemental answers? I guess not.

Beautiful blessings to all of you.

You asked what your chances would be. We've told you what they would be. The only way you can find out is to apply.

And furthermore, no one here has made a single racist comment in response. You can thank your countrywomen, who in their numbers, have left kids, and husband and the rest, for a chance at a green card. You're welcome.

[HFM181818 750]

from one of your first postings, "I hope I get a lot of input here because it will really help with deciding whether to file or not."

So, some of us have indeed given you some input...and some reasons why getting a tourist visa might be challenging...you mentioned that your husband has a tourist visa...has he used it? If so, for how long did he stay in the US? If he has used it properly, that would enhance your chances of getting one as well (you did not mention this early on)...

Once again, rather than take issue with some of us (some who have considerable experience in this area), you left out certain information that might have steered the responses in a different direction....thus, all most of us had to work with was what you provided at the outset...but again, thank all of your countrymen who decided to abuse the privilege given to them, making it tougher for others to enjoy the same privilege.

And what 'racist' comments were made by anyone? I said that many people from many different countries have left kids and spouses behind, not just Filipinos. However, the Philippines do not enjoy the visa waiver program for a reason (actually, several). That well-known fact (to the consular community) does not reflect a racial bias when it comes time to adjudicate visas, but rather it provides a base line from which they try to determine the bona fides of those who are applying now, often giving similar reasons for their return as were given by those who didn't, making the CO's job tough as well.

I don't believe that 'visa abusers' are a race.

[AB loves AG 54]

Wow. I lot of really judgemental and racist reply there.

First of all, I am not going to the US to find a job as my life here in the PH is completely going well. Why would I give up being a well off entrepreneur and be someone else's babysitter for a freaking green card? My cousin's in the US doesn't need babysitting, THEY'RE GROWN UP PEOPLE.

Second, as I have said, I wouldn't bring my daughter and husband along because (1) My kid can get really grumpy, would I bring a 3 year old child with small little feet to walk around the New York streets with me? Especially if it was my first time in the city? I don't think so. Would you bring a 3 year old child to the world's tallest roller coaster? Nope. (2) My husband runs a family business that he can just leave whenever he wants to. And he's gonna take in charge of my business while I'm out. He's not a sea farer, btw he has his own US visa if that gives you the satisfaction. Thus, gives you the fact that someone will take care of my daughter, aside from the grandparents, while I'm gone.

Third, this trip is supposedly to be a gift to me from my father. We will cut the expenses in half. Now shoot me in the head because I have supportive parents who wants to help me cross one thing on my bucket list. I wouldn't be asking for this tour if I couldn't afford it.

Fourth, just because the people of the PH has a reputation of marrying a US citizen for a freaking green card doesn't mean every Filipino has the intention to do so. (but thanks to those freaking nutjob for blowing it up for everybody else) I don't need a green card. I just want to freaking see and experience the place I've been dreaming of since I was a kid.

Fifth, somebody told me that there are lots of non visa countries I could visit instead of going to the US. Yeah countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hongkong and other Asian countries that exactly looks like the Philippines. Japan, Korea and Australia needs visa. If I'm getting a visa and if I'm gonna go all through the hassle, better make it worth it and get the one I've been really dreaming of which is VISIT the US.

If I was from a different country, say I was from the UK, France or Italy, would you give me the same judgemental answers? I guess not.

Beautiful blessings to all of you.

Would you rather people lie and say sure, go for it. Everything looks good, you should have no problem getting a visa. You asked for advice and that's what people gave you. I went through the same thing when my now husband tried for a tourist visa. I thought of all the positive things and thought no problem. Then when people pointed out things from the other side, I got irritated and angry too. We ended up trying, and got denied. . Now I 100% see why. Edited September 23, 2015 by AB loves AG

[jlc201 47]

Don't take it personally. What people on this board are doing is providing you with a cold, hard assessment of your chances for success, putting themselves in the shoes of the CO. As many of us know from personal experience, the CO's start with the assumption that everyone applying for a tourist visa wants to immigrate illegally to the U.S. and then expects you to disprove that assumption. And this happens in a couple of minutes, with only limited information, facing someone across a glass window. They are not bad people, but they are very cynical and always looking for reasons to deny a visa, so you need to look at your case as coldly and critically as you can. It is also much more pleasant to be told these things by strangers on a website than to be told them to your face by a CO who is informing you in front of a crowd of people that you just blew $160 and half of your day for nothing.

My take on your situation: It will primarily depend on your documented earnings from your business. If you bring in a good amount of money by U.S. standards (and can document that with tax records and/or bank accounts), then you will probably be fine. If not, the CO will probably assume that you are trying to immigrate to work in the U.S. and send money back to your family in the Philippines. (Again, I am not saying this is the case, I am saying that this will be their likely reasoning.)