How to Help Cousin Get B2 Visa for My Wedding

[snowcat 58]

I'm a recent immigrant from K1 (got married in City Hall last May) and currently holding an EAD/AP card combo, and still waiting on my Green Card. I plan on having 2 more wedding ceremonies to celebrate with my husband's family and my family in Ohio and the Philippines, respectively (since our city hall wedding involved only us and 2 of our friends as witnesses). My cousin, whom I consider a sister and best friend, lives in the Philippines and will be my maid of honor. I need her to be there for both my Ohio and Philippine wedding to make the ceremonies complete for me... She has, however, already been denied a US B1/B2 visa twice before, when she tried to come to visit (she has never been to the US)... even if she has had a stable job as a sales/marketing/PR person at a luxury brand store and has been to both Canada and Europe and never overstayed. I'm hoping this time, however, with her being my maid of honor as a reason, she will be granted a visa... I'm a little nervous though and was wondering what I could do to help her get a better chance? If I wrote a letter to the US embassy explaining why I need her to be there at the ceremony (and explain how we grew up together, with attached pictures for proof), will it help? Any other pieces of advice would be great. Thanks!

Edited December 3, 2017 by snowcat

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Nothing you can do.

[Boiler 45,486]

Yep nothing.

[Unlockable 7,314]

The absolute best advice to give you is to how for the best but prepare for her not to be here just in case.

 

There is nothing you can do to influence an approval for her visa. Her being at your wedding is a want, not a need. The letters and invitation hold no weight. You are only showing why she wants to come to the US. Immigration wants more to see evidence on why she needs to return to her country and not remain in the US.

[snowcat 58]

2 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

The absolute best advice to give you is to how for the best but prepare for her not to be here just in case.

 

There is nothing you can do to influence an approval for her visa. Her being at your wedding is a want, not a need. The letters and invitation hold no weight. You are only showing why she wants to come to the US. Immigration wants more to see evidence on why she needs to return to her country and not remain in the US.

I see. This is valuable advice, thank you. In that light, would there be something her employer could provide as proof that they need her back? She has recently been promoted to Manager... Or would the embassy not even bother to look at that evidence?

[Unlockable 7,314]

5 minutes ago, snowcat said:

I see. This is valuable advice, thank you. In that light, would there be something her employer could provide as proof that they need her back? She has recently been promoted to Manager... Or would the embassy not even bother to look at that evidence?

Sure.

 

Her having a good stable job is a good tie to her country. And something from her employer can be used as evidence. However, you said she tried twice before when she had her job yet still was not enough to show strong ties. If nothing major has changed from the last time she applied then the chance of the same results are high. The job is a good tie but it may not be enough by itself.

 

Does she own property?

Is she married?

Has she traveled to other countries?

 

Young single Filipinas have a very hard time getting tourist visas.

Edited December 3, 2017 by NuestraUnion

[snowcat 58]

2 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

Sure.

 

Her having a good stable job is a good tie to her country. And something from her employer can be used as evidence. However, you said she tried twice before when she had her job yet still was not enough to show strong ties. If nothing major has changed from the last time she applied then the chance of the same results are high. The job is a good tie but it may not be enough by itself.

 

Does she own property?

Is she married?

Has she traveled to other countries?

 

Young single Filipinas have a very hard time getting tourist visas.

Her being promoted to manager is a new development in her job that we're hoping will help heighten her chances... When she was denied twice before she was just a marketing associate, I believe. I will ask her if she can request something from her boss to show the embassy as proof that they need her to come back...

 

She unfortunately does not own property (she rents an apartment), and is not married. She has, however, traveled to Canada, and several countries in Europe with good records.

 

It's just funny because I have another cousin, who is likewise single, does not own property (and in fact still lives with her parents), is 2 years older than my other cousin, and is a musician and only does gigs (nothing stable), and was STILL given a tourist visa... strange how the US Embassy works sometimes...

[Unlockable 7,314]

Good travel record is a good sign, also.

 

The only thing she can do is try. Keep us posted.