questionable prior work experience?

[DA BOMB 1]

MRS BILLY BONG,

In Thailand? Or in the Philippines? Yes. 'Exotic dancers', as you so kindly put it, or 'bar girls', as they are commonly called, are virtually all prostitues in Thailand and the Philippines. As are many hostesses and singers in the 'sing-a-song' cafes, massage parlor workers, and employees in numerous other entertainment venues. Not all of the women in all of these kinds of places will go out with customers regularly, but virtually all bar girls do and the vast majority of the others will at some point go with customers who they find interesting and appealing.

Consular officers know their post, they know what jobs and what types of businesses are rife with prostitution, and a woman suspected of being associated with such jobs and businesses will face a tough interview. They are not going to have their visa applications denied because of their job title or place of employment, but they are going to undergo increasingly gruelling questioning until they ultimately admit to having prostituted themselves at which point they will be denied.

I recall on VJer a few years back who angrily posted about his fiancee being denied her visa in Bangkok. According to the poster, the consular officer suspected her of being a prostitute because she lived in a neighborhood that was a popular place for bar girls to live. The VJer reported that his fiancee was bullied to the point that she admitted to having gone with men a few times and her visa was promptly denied. The VJer insists that his fiancee was innocent, but many a western man has been completely fooled by a comely Thai girl so it may well be that it was the consular officer who actually got to the truth of the matter.

Yodrak

Tell the truth. How would you answer the following sample questions?

1. I see you were in Thailand for over a year. What were you doing there for so long?

2. How did you support yourself while you were there?

If I were the CO, I would certainly ask those questions and pay close attention to the manner in which they were answered. If there was a claim of unemployment during that time, I would be extremely suspicious and examine that time period in greater depth. I would ask many questions about that time and look for any inconsistencies in the answers.

You don't have to worry about being caught in a lie if you tell the truth.

If she was an exotic dancer would that be considered a CIMT? Just out of curiosity. Im wondering if the embassy would view this occupation in the same light.

wow

[Biscuit 0]

No matter what, as far as I know... CAM CHAT HOSTESS here in the Philippines is not a legal job. They even raid those places and put the girls in jail. Better consult an Immigration Lawyer to make up your friend's mind. Lying about her job will complicate things. Besides, the consul (i guess) would be able to identify whether she's telling the truth or not. At the age of 19? What is she doing in Thailand which is popular for prosti and sex surgeries too. Please dont get offended with this line, that's the connotation or impression of most people i have talked to here about Thailand. I guess the US consul is open-minded why dont take the risk?

Hopefully everything goes right with your friend and his GF. I feel bad for those young filipinas who are trying to get an easy money thru net.

[Yodrak 7]

princess_sutil,

There are many, many young men and women from the Philippines making their livings in Thailand as singers and musicians. Most of the musical entertainers performing in hotel lounges in Bangkok are from the Philippines, and there are many Philippine singers and bands performing in the musical clubs and bars along with the Thai musicians.

These people are not prostitutes, indeed many of them stay strictly to themselves when they're not performing and will not date the locals or tourists because developing social involvements outside the group can interfere with their work to the detriment of the others in the group.

Oh, and the Philippines is as famous for its' 'red light' districts as Thailand. Not need for a Phillapina who wants to work as a prostitute to go to Thailand.

Yodrak

..... At the age of 19? What is she doing in Thailand which is popular for prosti and sex surgeries too. Please dont get offended with this line, that's the connotation or impression of most people i have talked to here about Thailand. .....

Edited March 29, 2007 by Yodrak

[mychelle 1]

Oh, and the Philippines is as famous for its' 'red light' districts as Thailand. Not need for a Phillapina who wants to work as a prostitute to go to Thailand.

Yodrak

i have to agree with Yodrak on this. this is the first time i've heard of any girls from the Philippines having to go to Thailand to work in the "sex industry". They could just as easily do it from home (per se)...although i could see the advantage...there are more tourists who visit Thailand than the Philippines...the market is somewhat bigger...i'm just speculating here.

to the OP, i think it's best you talk to an attorney...at least just for consultation.

[Biscuit 0]

The consul will definitely grill the girl during the interview if suspected getting involve in the "sex industry" I knew someone who work in AC as bargirl and she said the interview took almost two hours. She said same questions were being asked to her and she was put on AR. After 2 months they grant her VISA. But of course this is a case to case basis. Her fiance visited her more than 10 times in 2 years. There are lots of bargirls who were able to make it. All they need is more proof of genuine relationship.

Ohh yeah, I agree with you guys, as I said dont get offended with my line. I live in Pampanga and I know lots of gurls who's doing the "chat hostess" thing in their house when the NBI started to raid the "sex chat houses" in AC. The thing here, they need to prove that the relationship is genuine. Well, anyway why don't they give it a try and talk to an immigration expert for assistance.