Is it a waste of time/money?

[Shaquie 0]

I've been living with my fiance for about 16 months (we've been together for 2 years). We are not in a rush to move to the US, and we do not want to get married simply for the visa. But getting married "for the right reasons" is complicated/expensive because our families are spread out throughout two countries.

We have a house in Mexico, close to the California border. She is 26, has a passport and a clean record, is on the lease to our home, and none of her family is in the US. However, she has been in school for the past 18 months (private vocational, not university), and does not have a job or assets.

We want to take a cruise. From what I have read, her odds of a tourist visa being approved are better if we buy the cruise tickets in advance. But then we lose both the visa application $$ AND the cost of the cruise tickets if she is denied.

So my question is:

We cannot show "binding economic ties," but we believe we meet all other requirements. Does she have any chance of approval, or is it simply a waste of money to try for the tourist visa?

Thank you very much for your help!

- R&M

Edited July 8, 2012 by Shaquie

[amykathleen2005 441]

Have her school write a letter saying she is in process of going through coursework and how long she has left on it.

[Shaquie 0]

Have her school write a letter saying she is in process of going through coursework and how long she has left on it.

She's actually gone through two different schools. The first was completed (she has a degree) a while ago. Her current school is just an English school...

[Boiler 43,485]

She has a chance, where did you read buying tickets would be a good idea?

She has a chance, where did you read buying tickets would be a good idea?

[aaron2020 11,651]

From what I have read, her odds of a tourist visa being approved are better if we buy the cruise tickets in advance. But then we lose both the visa application $$ AND the cost of the cruise tickets if she is denied.

The US government advise that all visa applicants not to make travel plans until after they get their visas. This advice is to help people not incur unnecessary travel expenses. Those who buy tickets before securing a visa do so at their own risk.

After putting this out there, the US government is not going to give an ounce to those who don't follow it's advice. To give those foolish a better odd than someone else would undermine the government's advice and credibility.

Booking the cruise before securing the visa would be foolish. You do so at your own risk.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

She has a chance, and applying for a tourist visa is fairly quick and not that expensive. But rather than buying an expensive cruise, I'd just bring the brochure and other materials to the interview.

Or, easier, just book a cruise that doesn't involve the USA.

/ edited to add: as you live close to the border, does she have a border crossing card? If so, getting a tourist visa is much easier.

[Shaquie 0]

She has a chance, and applying for a tourist visa is fairly quick and not that expensive. But rather than buying an expensive cruise, I'd just bring the brochure and other materials to the interview.

Or, easier, just book a cruise that doesn't involve the USA.

/ edited to add: as you live close to the border, does she have a border crossing card? If so, getting a tourist visa is much easier.

No, no border crossing card at all

[Shaquie 0]

No, no border crossing card at all

BTW the way our vacation talks actually started is that we wanted to travel abroad. But flying out of any Baja North airport in Mexico is two to five times (200% to 500%) as expensive. For example, plane tickets to Arbua are roughly $500 from San Diego, or $2,200 from Tijuana. European flights are cheaper, but the airfare would still push the cost of a simple, low-fare 7-day cruise to over $3,000 per person (with a 36 hour flight)... compared with a 7-day cruise leaving from Long Beach at $800/person, give or take.