B2/Compasionate Visa with sponsor

[TravelerJandy 0]

Hello everyone! Here's my case, I was denied last 2014 when I applied for a tourist visa, the last time I put on my application I'm the one paying for my trip. I was denied before because the Consul said I can't afford my trip to the US because of my salary. I have worked in Saudi Arabia before for 2 years, been to Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Now, I'm reapplying again but this time I have a sponsor which is my Aunt (1st cousin of my mom). My reason in going to the US is to spend quality time with my grandmother who's now 94 years old and currently staying in a nursing home and she's bed ridden, she requested me to visit her because I haven't seen her for 18 years. I would like to spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with her and my other relatives in California and my grandmother also wants to go back here in the Philippines and I will accompany her in going back to the Philippines. I have my invitation letter, letter from the social worker from the nursing home stating my grandmother's condition, my Aunt's pay slip, certificate of employment, form I-34, photocopy of her passport, bank certificate, etc. I'm currently employed for almost 3 years now. I would like to ask if I have a big chance in getting the visa? Would love to hear for any tips or inputs. Thank you so much! ?

[millefleur 5,047]

Don't want to sound like a wet blanket here, but usually saying another person is going to pay for your trip other than yourself is a no-go unless it's being paid for by the company where you work.

Also, the US government doesn't consider a dying relative in the US as an automatic grant for a visitor visa either. Most likely they won't even bother to look at any of the extra documentation you will bring to the interview. By all means apply if you feel it's worth the risk, but prepare yourself for a denial so you won't be too let down if it happens.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

I believe that if you have the funds you should apply. However, you were denied last time because YOU didn't have the funds. You were not denied because you failed to provide a sponsor for your visa. It does not sound like you have met the officer's standard for issuing a visa.

Also, I do not believe that tourist visas are granted on compassionate grounds with respect to grandmothers. If your grandmother is well enough to travel to PI, then the CO may believe that you can see her when she returns.

Good luck

[Unlockable 7,315]

There is no sponsorship for tourist visas. It is a big misconception in immigration. Sometimes it can hurt an applicant. If you look at it from the CO's standpoint, having someone who lives in the US and has the ability to pay for your trip and stay only shows that if you decide to not leave the US then you have someone here to care of you.

As for "compassionate reasons", it will not help you case. Take some time and read the thread below where a person's mother was critically ill in the US and her daughter was desperately trying to get a visitor visa to be by her mother's bedside. She even sent in evidence of her mother's illness from the hospital. Well, her visa was still denied and her mother ended up passing this week.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/613318-fastest-way-to-get-emergency-visa-to-go-see-critically-ill-senior-mother-in-icu-in-usa-merged/page-1?hl=+condolences

You should focus on how you will convince the CO that you will return to your country rather than seeking compassion from them.

P.S. What does a wet blanket sound like?

Edited October 28, 2016 by NuestraUnion

[TravelerJandy 0]

I have funds but then she just focus on how much I was earning last time. I will not be able to afford my travel abroad if I don't have funds. I have read blogs online and they said there's nothing wrong if someone is paying for your trip as long as you can prove to the CO of your relationship to your sponsor. I have also read a compassionate visa on ustraveldocs.com but not much information about it. My grandmother can't travel alone because she's 94 years old and bed ridden and I will be the one to accompany her in going back to the Philippines.

[millefleur 5,047]

I have funds but then she just focus on how much I was earning last time. I will not be able to afford my travel abroad if I don't have funds. I have read blogs online and they said there's nothing wrong if someone is paying for your trip as long as you can prove to the CO of your relationship to your sponsor. I have also read a compassionate visa on ustraveldocs.com but not much information about it. My grandmother can't travel alone because she's 94 years old and bed ridden and I will be the one to accompany her in going back to the Philippines.

Speaking from personal experience here....even if the person offering to pay for your trip is a family member and a successful, wealthy business owner with more than enough funds, it won't guarantee getting the visa.

Where did you read about a "compassionate visa" exactly? I've never heard of this before and couldn't find it on the ustraveldocs site.

[az2014 381]

I have funds but then she just focus on how much I was earning last time. I will not be able to afford my travel abroad if I don't have funds. I have read blogs online and they said there's nothing wrong if someone is paying for your trip as long as you can prove to the CO of your relationship to your sponsor. I have also read a compassionate visa on ustraveldocs.com but not much information about it. My grandmother can't travel alone because she's 94 years old and bed ridden and I will be the one to accompany her in going back to the Philippines.

They dont care why you want to go to the US, just that you will return.

If you don't have a salary that would afford you the trip and be a reason to go back home then there is not much you can do apart from increasing your income.

[KierenHby 899]

Of course you can try for a visa, but what's trending against you is the number of previous filipinos who entered the US on a tourist visa and ended up overstaying. Besides, there is no such thing as a compassionate visa. Just see this link about the applicant whose mother was in the icu; she was denied.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/613318-fastest-way-to-get-emergency-visa-to-go-see-critically-ill-senior-mother-in-icu-in-usa-merged/

[marianath 27]

There is no such thing as a compassionate visa and someone from the USA "sponsoring" your trip.

You need to proove to the CO that you will comeback and have no immigration intent.

The only way to find out if you can get approved would be to apply.

The Philippines is a high fraud country with loads of Filipinos traveling to the USA with Tourist visas and never coming back.

That is one of the main reason Tourist Visa's to the USA is very hard to get approved.

Your grandmother can still travel back to the Philippines with relatives already in the USA.

Goodluck and Godspeed and Mano po to your Lola

[Jawaree 718]

(speaking as a CO) You stated you want to see your G/mother, and she wants to see you

after 16 years, but sir you also say she wants to go back to PI & you will accompany her.

In this case she could have your aunt accompany her & you'd be able to spend lots of

quality time there with her.

You do not need a sponsor for visa to visit, no harm in trying again, make sure your story

is consistent, A compassionate request HP could be applied for with medical proofs & the

letter from from nursing home. For this you would mail in an I 134 & I 131 with cover letter

for reason to be allowed in also proof of relation to the person in the US with a check for $360

This is discretionary

[TravelerJandy 0]

Thank you for sharing your insights and inputs. I really appreciate it. I will just try again this time, will be consistent and be honest with my intention. I'm currently employed and working for the National Government. Actually, I'm not yet sure if my grandmother can be allowed to travel since she has a lot of health issues and now she's bed ridden and staying in a nursing home. I have an existing contract with job and definitely would come back to my home country, I will not risk my reputation and record.

[POA 178]

Thank you for sharing your insights and inputs. I really appreciate it. I will just try again this time, will be consistent and be honest with my intention. I'm currently employed and working for the National Government. Actually, I'm not yet sure if my grandmother can be allowed to travel since she has a lot of health issues and now she's bed ridden and staying in a nursing home. I have an existing contract with job and definitely would come back to my home country, I will not risk my reputation and record.

Keep us posted on what happen. My friend's mom just visited and declared on the DS-160 that her daughter was paying for the trip. She got approved and just went back home. There is zero chance if you did not apply. The worst thing that could happen is to get denied. You wouldn't know until you apply.