Boyfriend come visit me in USA for Christmas? B-2 visa...

[tachi88 4]

Hello,

I know this questions been asked before, but I'm wondering if there are more recent experiences about this from users here. I want to try to get my bf to come visit in the US by visitors visa for him to come visit me for 2 weeks this December for the Xmas holiday. I am a female US citizen and my bf is from El Salvador. We are both in our mid 20's. We have been together about 3 years. <3 I have visited him 3x in El Sal, but I want him to come meet my family and my town. We would like to go for K-1 visa eventually, but this Dec trip is very important for us.

Well here's the tricky part you've heard before, does he say that he's visiting a "friend" or a girlfriend? I'm just terrified that if we say that he's visiting a "friend" and even that gets through, it will have some consequence later?

My visit's to El Sal were pretty smooth. I only stated that I was there for tourism and volunteerism, which wasn't a lie. I went to volunteer at a school but also visited him...I was never asked at POE who I stayed with at all. But there is no opportunity for my bf to say something of the same nature unfortunately.

We have no intentions of marrying on this trip, and understand that the most important part is to have ties for him to return to El Sal.

These are the only ties we can think of:

-He's been to the USA before, not to visit me, but with his brother to participate in a worldwide gaming tournament. He got in no issues at that time as it was an actual event I guess.

-Has a good job he's been at about 3 years. ( a good, full time office job )

-No property or car in his name, but he will finish up university in Dec/Jan and will have a graduation ceremony early next year.

-He has some school debt, but he's faithfully been paying that back. (Is this a pro or a con to mention this?)

-His family there.

-He has a round trip ticket back home.

*I also have an invitation letter stating that I will cover most of his expenses, but I only referred to him as my "guest". I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing to use that vague terminology...?

Does he say that he's visiting a "friend" or be upfront about me, his girlfriend?

So yeah...just hoping there might be some advice. I know it likely won't be anything new but there's no rule that you can't repeat questions right?

Anyway, thank you!

Edited November 23, 2015 by tachi88

[tachi88 4]

Or maybe just stick with saying "Tourism" can he do that? But then they will likely ask who he's staying with an who I am. He's staying with me in my apartment btw.

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Honesty is the best policy....Tell them he is visiting his girlfriend, and he is staying with you at XXXXX. Don't be candid, be truthful. He has to qualify on his own merits. Traveling to USA in past is good.

Good luck to you

[aaron2020 11,651]

You and your BF need to be honest and truthful.

If he and you choose to play the "friend, not gỉlfriend" game and gets caught, all credibility is lost.

Why try to be sneaky? Are the consequences worth it? Think you are the first to try the "friend, not girlfriend" routine? Think the US Embassy and CBP are naive?

Why would you consider creating a problem by playing a word game with the US Embassy? They aren't stupid. You guys wouldn't be the first to play this "guest, but not my boyfriend" game. Generally, the US Embassy is good at detecting these games since it's their job to detect them.

Edited November 23, 2015 by aaron2020

[MacUK 983]

What visa did he use when he visited with his brother?

Is this visa still valid?

[HFM181818 750]

'visit a guest...'....now that line would certainly have fooled me....(NOT!)....trying to be coy can backfire and when it does, he will be listed as someone who tried some funny business in order to get a visa....same thing if he says that at the POE...COs and CPB folks are not idiots....

As for an invitation letter from you, it will be perceived more negatively than positively, because you represent the reason he might stay put, no matter what you write in the letter about 'making sure he leaves on time..' because you have no legal authority over him, whether he is in El Salvador or the US...better to be honest and be denied than trying some supposedly clever word games and be branded as a scam artist....do you honestly think that even the newest CO at the embassy has not had some additional training upon arrival as to the various ploys, etc, that are often used to disguise the truth? If you don't think so, and if you think that COs are just plain stupid, then by all means write your 'guest' letter and see what happens.

[tachi88 4]

Thank you for your replies. I agree on being honest as well. But I did learn something new that an invitation letter might not help. Interesting! Any more feedback on what we can bring as far as return ties home?

Some of you seem a little bit on edge in your responses. If you think it's a dumb question, you don't have to reply. I'm not trying to be quick that's why I'm asking (well maybe it can be perceived as that a little bit!), I just want to see my bf. I think we will go truthful and then go for K-1 soon if it fails! Not saying you have to sugarcoat it, but you don't have to be snarky, that's all... I guess sometimes we just want to hear/see things on our own to grasp/validate them sometimes.

Happy holidays and I hope you get to spend it with someone special.

Edited November 23, 2015 by tachi88

[tachi88 4]

What visa did he use when he visited with his brother?

Is this visa still valid?

Tourist visa, which from what I understand can only be used once to enter/exit for his country.

Honesty is the best policy....Tell them he is visiting his girlfriend, and he is staying with you at XXXXX. Don't be candid, be truthful. He has to qualify on his own merits. Traveling to USA in past is good.

Good luck to you

I agree with this as well. Thank you very much!

[HFM181818 750]

Perhaps some of us are wondering why so many people ask 'is it okay to say 'friend' or whatever?'...when what they really mean is, 'is it OK to lie?"....that's what is really being asked...and from my perspective, I would ask, 'why would anyone consider lying?' and 'why is it OK to lie?'....never have figured that one out....of course, people want their SO to get a tourist visa, but justifying lying in order to get seems disingenuous to me....because who are you trying to deceive? Your own government....

[trini_prince 0]

DO NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE ABOUT TELLING THEM HE IS VISITING HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Other members who say that are giving you bad advice. Simply let him say he is visiting for business or tourism or if he has any other relatives, put their address or male friend. If they know he will be visiting his girlfriend they will promptly deny. That means weak ties and he might me going to get married in their eyes. Do not do it. If he has to be honest with them, best he save his money and you can apply for a fiance visa for him.

I have my sister, brother and mother living in the USA AND GOT Denied 5 times being very honest. I am now in the process of getting my green card waiting to be interviewed.

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. US law places the burden on nonimmigrant visa applicants (except for H-1B and L-1s) to show that they are not intending immigrants. Nonimmigrant visitor visa applicants (B) must show that they have a foreign residence that they have no intention of abandoning and are visiting the US temporarily for business or pleasure.

You are a US citizen in love and in a relationship. The consular officer would quickly deny and put that on his rejection notes and he will always be rejected after that.

Good luck.

Edited November 23, 2015 by trini_prince

[HFM181818 750]

spoken like a 'true expert.' Playing seemingly clever word games will backfire intensely when discovered....if you truly believe that you (or your BF) is far more clever than a CO or a CPB officer, by all means, follow the 'sage' advice of 'trin_prince'....who, no doubt, knows far more about the visa process than even a retired consular officer....

[HFM181818 750]

a person going to the US for 'tourism' will be asked where he/she is going to stay...what then? a hotel with no name, you say? OK...how much will that cost? Suddenly, the cost of the trip starts to soar....maybe beyond the means of the applicant...then...the applicant quickly tries to change his story...'oh...no.....see...I'm gonna stay with a 'friend'...sh...er he will let me stay in his house for free!'....really? Why the sudden change (I would ask myself)...what is the applicant trying to hide? (hmmm....could it be that he has an American GF he wishes to visit, but doesn't want to admit to?)...'what's your friend's name and telephone number....because I'd like to call that friend right now and verify what you just told me...'/......you should see the reactions some people give....'gosh, I forgot his number...'....his name, please?'....'er.uh...John,..."...'John who?"....' gee, I dunno...'...(you can see where this interview is spiraling out of control swiftly...credibility has just taken a fatal nose dive')....'Are you sure that you don't have an American GF you wish to visit?'......'...who...? me?...."....(curtain).

I cannot tell you how many thousands of interviews I conducted similar to this one...the applicant tried to fool me....but failed miserably...my notes reflected his or her unwillingness to tell the truth...which meant that when this person tried again in 3 weeks, he now have to overcom....dishonesty...and 'coming clean' later is usually too late....after all, if that person was willing to lie the first time, what else am I being told that is not true?...Applicants tip their hand so quickly when facing an experienced CO...they don't even know when it happened....

So please...give it your best shot....see who prevails....but listening to people who have absolutely no idea of the processes involved nor are in possession of consular experience can only offer their misguided opinions....be sure to ask them for a refund of the application fee when the application is denied....

Edited November 23, 2015 by HFM181818

[tachi88 4]

spoken like a 'true expert.' Playing seemingly clever word games will backfire intensely when discovered....if you truly believe that you (or your BF) is far more clever than a CO or a CPB officer, by all means, follow the 'sage' advice of 'trin_prince'....who, no doubt, knows far more about the visa process than even a retired consular officer....

Moving away from word games, I've also heard "don't offer more info than necessary, or "don't say unless asked". Can you give your opinion on that please?

I'm just wondering if it's wrong to say "tourism" (which isn't untrue) and then if they ask, "who are you staying with" and he answers "my gf". Is that ok or should we just straight up have him say "I'm going to visit my gf"? Which is still a bit deceptive but, it's not a requirement to say you're visiting a significant other in that sense.

Oops I was replying as soon as you wrote that. I'm reading your reply now.

[trini_prince 0]

@

HFM181818

How can it backfire, re read my post. They US Embassy is a money making business that makes billions of dollars. CERTAIN APPLICANTS WOULD ALWAYS BE DENIED! Why give someone bad advice telling them to be honest only to be rejected a visa??? What if the relationship ends and he has a rejection on the visa system saying that applicant's intentions is to visit girlfriend. He applies again really wanting to visit and when the consul check back previous denial notes and now he says family or tourism. I won't advise anyone to waste their hard earn cash just to be denied. Not worth it. In that case, best she sponsors him and he would get through much quicker that route to marry within 90 days. He can always stay by a relative and then fly and meet his girlfriend in the US. But don't say you gonna visit a girlfriend or boyfriend. Even CBP might deny entry if they know he is going to visit a girlfriend. I know the visa system inside out. Don't be fooled.

Edited November 23, 2015 by trini_prince

[tachi88 4]

Sorry, I wrote that post as you were posting the other one. Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it, but it seems I am almost out of replies? (Sorry, I only lurked before, but his interview is tomorrow...) But thank you for weighing in and thank you to all others that have replied and may reply later!

"You can make 5 more posts until 24 November 2015 - 01:40 AM. This restriction is in place until 24 November 2015 - 01:12 AM"

Edited November 23, 2015 by tachi88