How hard is it to apply for a tourist visa for a family member in the Philippines?

[coa24 69]

Just curious as I am thinking about trying to get my wife's mother to visit for a few weeks. The mother would have to go apply online and then visit the embassy and go through an interview, correct? Do they make it tougher to obtain such a visa than a fiance visa or spouse visa?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

The parent(s) will have to prove to the satisfaction of the US consular official at the interviewing US embassy/consulate, that they have significant ties to the Phils. such that they would return to the Phils. after their US visit is completed. Such ties could include, property, house ownership, current stable employment, etc. Each visitor visa applicant is presumed to have immigration intent, and must prove that they are not trying to immigrate to the US. A letter from a doctor, any documents from you, or any other invitation-type letter would likely have no positive effect on the visitor visa approval.

Most but NOT all visitor visas from the Philippines do get turned down. You have to have VERY STRONG ties to the Philippines to demonstrate that they will return.

Edited January 30, 2016 by Greenbaum

[coa24 69]

Thanks Greenbaum, I figured that would be the case. I guess all one has to do is start by filling out the DS-160 and get all the documents needed. Luckily she does have strong ties to the Philippines as she owns several acres of land and the majority of family lives there.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

coa24, on 29 Jan 2016 - 10:41 PM, said:

Thanks Greenbaum, I figured that would be the case. I guess all one has to do is start by filling out the DS-160 and get all the documents needed. Luckily she does have strong ties to the Philippines as she owns several acres of land and the majority of family lives there.

Sounds like you might have a good chance for them to get the visitor visa. It's a small cost to find out. Let us know how this pans out.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just curious as I am thinking about trying to get my wife's mother to visit for a few weeks. The mother would have to go apply online and then visit the embassy and go through an interview, correct? Do they make it tougher to obtain such a visa than a fiance visa or spouse visa?

How do you decide whether or not to issue a visa? What does 214(b) mean?

For business and tourist visas (B-1/B-2), each applicant must qualify under section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which states:

"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa . . . that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status . . .”

Essentially, the visa officer is looking to see that the applicant has compelling reasons to return to the Philippines. By law, the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she qualifies for the visa. This proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be strong enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that one’s ties to the Philippines will bring him/her back at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.

What do you mean by "ties to the Philippines?"

"Ties" are the aspects of one’s life that bind him/her to his/her place of residence, including family relationships, employment and possessions. In the case of younger applicants, who may not have had an opportunity to establish such ties, interviewing officers may look at educational status, grades, the situation of parents, and an applicant's long-range plans and prospects in the Philippines. As each person's situation is different, there is no set answer as to what constitutes adequate ties.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/niv-application.html

http://manila.usembassy.gov/niv-faq.html

[Tahoma 2,292]

If your mother-in-law doesn't get a tourist visa, wait a few years until your wife becomes a U.S. citizen. Then your wife can petition her mother, and her mother will be able to visit all she wants.

[coa24 69]

How do you decide whether or not to issue a visa? What does 214(b) mean?

For business and tourist visas (B-1/B-2), each applicant must qualify under section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which states:

"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa . . . that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status . . .”

Essentially, the visa officer is looking to see that the applicant has compelling reasons to return to the Philippines. By law, the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she qualifies for the visa. This proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be strong enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that one’s ties to the Philippines will bring him/her back at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.

What do you mean by "ties to the Philippines?"

"Ties" are the aspects of one’s life that bind him/her to his/her place of residence, including family relationships, employment and possessions. In the case of younger applicants, who may not have had an opportunity to establish such ties, interviewing officers may look at educational status, grades, the situation of parents, and an applicant's long-range plans and prospects in the Philippines. As each person's situation is different, there is no set answer as to what constitutes adequate ties.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/niv-application.html

http://manila.usembassy.gov/niv-faq.html

Thanks for this information Hank, it helps a lot.

If your mother-in-law doesn't get a tourist visa, wait a few years until your wife becomes a U.S. citizen. Then your wife can petition her mother, and her mother will be able to visit all she wants.

Her mother doesn't want to live in the USA, just maybe visit once or twice.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Her mother doesn't want to live in the USA, just maybe visit once or twice.

She doesn't have to live in the U.S. She can return to the Philippines at any time. Of course, if she remains in the Philippines long enough, she will eventually have to give up her green card.

[Hank_ 9,174]

.. thus a waste of time and effort.

[Tahoma 2,292]

.. thus a waste of time and effort.

Why is it a waste of time and effort if that's the only way they will ever be able to visit? It's working just fine for us.