Tourist visa to US from Philippines

[justashooter 430]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

the process favours people who are less likely to become a burden upon American taxpayers and less likely to violate immigration law. if people from nigeria, and china, and phillipines, and several other countries would stop violating immigration laws and becoming a burden upon American taxpayers then things would be a lot easier for visitors from their country.

not all illegals are mexican.

[Old Dominion 26]

A friend was turned down at Manila for a tourist visa specifically because she was engaged to the American she wanted to visit, and the K-1 petition was already in process at Vermont.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

the process favours people who are less likely to become a burden upon American taxpayers and less likely to violate immigration law. if people from nigeria, and china, and phillipines, and several other countries would stop violating immigration laws and becoming a burden upon American taxpayers then things would be a lot easier for visitors from their country.

not all illegals are mexican.

Our joint family income will be in the 6 figure area and my real estate equtity is over 1/2 mil . Not sure where you get him being a potential burden to society from that other than making an arragant assumption that non white couples are welfare types If you want to prevent burdens to society get rid of co sponsors and substituting assets. But I bet most of those are the poor white trash that want to come over and live off mommy daddy and welfare.

[Marc & Solika 1]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

No no no! Visas and the USCIS have nothing to do with racial issues! That is such old world thinking and its hard to swallow that you would even suggest that. It is simply meant to ASSURE that the potential immigrant has sufficient ties to their home country, so that the US and the home country is SURE that they will return and follow LEGAL procedures! Not all immigrants are NON-White!!

[Tsup2 0]

My recommendation would be to forget the tourist visa. Filipinos have a difficult time getting tourist visas to the US because so many of them in the past came on a tourist visit and never went home. It's not a racial issue as some are trying to make it here, it's more of a first world/third world issue. It's easy for a US citizen to travel to Nigeria since very few would want to stay there.

[ChrisB0707 4]

I'm considering flying my fiancee to the US while we're waiting for the K1 process; a few weeks and then she will return to await the interview, etc. I am unable to get enough time off work anytime soon to make it worthwhile.

I have heard that tourist visas can be difficult to obtain and generally require substantial assets in a bank in the Philippines to show a high likelihood the person will return. Is this true?

With the fees already paid, anticipated fees to pay, upcoming airline fares when she gets the visa, wedding, etc, I don't have several thousand to give her to deposit in a bank there.

Any help, or general information on a tourist visa to the US from the Philippines, would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry to say it but if she doesnt have land, home and other things of value then dont waste your time and money trying for a tourist visa because it wont happen. From start to finish it only took ShaSha about 7 months to come to the US on a K1 visa so maybe you should just do that. Anyone will tell you most tourist visa from the Philippines dont happen if you are not one of the few very rich Filipinos. I love the country and ShaSha received her Green Card the middle of Feb so we are actually in PI now to see family but the US is to tuff on Filipino tourist visa.

Edited March 23, 2009 by ChrisB0707

[raquel_1208 1]

For tourist visa, you will be gambling with a total $260 of visa fee and medical fee and the possibility of getting one is next to impossible.

[Zen Den 18]

I'm considering flying my fiancee to the US while we're waiting for the K1 process; a few weeks and then she will return to await the interview, etc. I am unable to get enough time off work anytime soon to make it worthwhile.

I have heard that tourist visas can be difficult to obtain and generally require substantial assets in a bank in the Philippines to show a high likelihood the person will return. Is this true?

With the fees already paid, anticipated fees to pay, upcoming airline fares when she gets the visa, wedding, etc, I don't have several thousand to give her to deposit in a bank there.

Any help, or general information on a tourist visa to the US from the Philippines, would be appreciated. Thanks!

read this (from http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-ap...ation.html#4.6) AND the visa application form itself (you can get this from uscis.gov)...

4.6)...Can my fiance(e) come to the US to visit me once the visa process is started?

This may actually be the most common question in the newsgroup, asked on a near daily basis.

A..I wrote to the Embassy in London and I was given this reply: "If you wish to make a temporary visit to the US while your application for a Fiance(e) visa is being processed, you will require a visitor's visa (B-1/B-2) or, if you meet the conditions, travel visa-free. However, all travelers to the US are subject to inspection at the port of entry by an immigration officer who has the right to deny admissions. As the beneficiary of an approved Fiance(e) visa (petition) you may have difficulty convincing the officer that you are not an intending immigrant."

A.. If the fiance(e)..."Has a residence in a foreign country which the alien does not intend to abandon", and if the fiance(e) is "An alien coming to meet the alien's fiance(e)'s family (to become engaged; to make arrangements for a wedding; or to renew a relationship with the prospective spouse)", then they can enter the US on a B2 visa. (Quotes from the USCIS (INS) Inspectors Field Manual). This does not specifically address an alien with a "K1 visa application pending". Proving an intention to return home might mean showing...

Current enrollment in school

Employment in the home country

Strong family ties to the home country

(t depends on each visa appli(ation...the documents presented prior to tourist visa interview, the interview itself (if documents aren't good, she's denied already and interview becomes a formality)

if you want to improve chances of approval, you should have a a very unique reason why you want her in the US before the K1 is approved =) it's worth a try, application is only $75...and even if she gets the visa...she might still be sent back on the next flight right at the POE

if it's a lot to worry about...just wait till the k1 is approved...she's worth all your wait anyway, right? =)

[-B&T- 1]

K-1 is the quickest way so you'll be together soon!Good luck...

[Lil Miss Sunshine 14]

I'm considering flying my fiancee to the US while we're waiting for the K1 process; a few weeks and then she will return to await the interview, etc. I am unable to get enough time off work anytime soon to make it worthwhile.

I have heard that tourist visas can be difficult to obtain and generally require substantial assets in a bank in the Philippines to show a high likelihood the person will return. Is this true?

With the fees already paid, anticipated fees to pay, upcoming airline fares when she gets the visa, wedding, etc, I don't have several thousand to give her to deposit in a bank there.

Any help, or general information on a tourist visa to the US from the Philippines, would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry to say it but if she doesnt have land, home and other things of value then dont waste your time and money trying for a tourist visa because it wont happen. From start to finish it only took ShaSha about 7 months to come to the US on a K1 visa so maybe you should just do that. Anyone will tell you most tourist visa from the Philippines dont happen if you are not one of the few very rich Filipinos. I love the country and ShaSha received her Green Card the middle of Feb so we are actually in PI now to see family but the US is to tuff on Filipino tourist visa.

i'm not rich but i was lucky enough to get a tourist visa.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

No no no! Visas and the USCIS have nothing to do with racial issues! That is such old world thinking and its hard to swallow that you would even suggest that. It is simply meant to ASSURE that the potential immigrant has sufficient ties to their home country, so that the US and the home country is SURE that they will return and follow LEGAL procedures! Not all immigrants are NON-White!!

Have you ever watched the patterns of issues with visas ? They almost never involve white couples, they almost never involve couples where the man is older. If anyone ever created a database dealing with race and m/f age differencial you would see that the process is far from fair. As far as a visitor visa, It again is slanted against countries with a lower average annual income because the formula for "money in the bank" does nothing to factor in that amount against the average income in the respective countries. The easiest visa to get are work visas as evidenced by the number of people involved in Sept. 11 that used work visas.

[garmar 0]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

[garmar 0]

I would not argue that there is no prejudice in the process but the go by certain guidelines which are aimed at allowing only those who can show they have a good reason to return. Owning a house, business or just having good opportunities in the Philippines demonstrates a reason to return. Skin color may warrant a closer look by some COs but they do have specific guidelines. Unfortunately they rarely offer tourist visas to people who are filing for a K-1 or for those who are in the lower income brackets.

[tallcoolone 102]

Face it the whole process is slanted in favor of white couples , who use visa waivers to visit all during the relationship. Those of us with a partner from a non white area have to hope that partner has several times the average income from that country just sitting in the bank for years to be able to visit us. This process doesn't come anywhere close to being equal and without prejudice. It favors older white men bringing younger partners. It favors white couples.

W T F

[gretchen_darren 67]

If you are applying for K-1, do NOT try the tourist visa unless the country has a VWP. for visas, you are considered an immigrant UNTIL you prove you are not. the tourist visa is based on guilty until proven innocent. I know it is backwards, but once you get a visa to America, you have a "hall pass" to stay. And many, many girls are turned down. If she is under 30, it is next to impossible. Not saying it cannot happen, but better to save your money and wait. The k-1 states you cannot go for another visa or circumvent the K-1 visa process. just be patient, she will be here soon enough. i also thought of getting my fiancee a tourist visa too. it was just going to be a waste of money and time. But you are free to do as you wish, but I highly advise against it.

Edited June 26, 2011 by gretchen_darren