Girlfriend from Turkey would like to visit me in the US, questions and concerns.

[przyjaciel 5]

What do you suggest she presents as proof she must return? That is the key here not lying about a road trip.

For one, I never suggested they lie about a road trip but that they actually take the steps to plan their visit. To show that it is for tourist purposes, short-term and with supporting funds for the duration of her visit.

If she is serious about coming over, she should pay the extra money for a plane ticket that can be refunded just in case she is denied and show that as well.

A letter from her employer granting her the vacation time as well would also serve her well in this regard, as well as establishing ties to her home country.

[przyjaciel 5]

What do you suggest she presents as proof she must return? That is the key here not lying about a road trip.

What is her response when asked about contacts in the USA?

What does she tell the officer at the POE?

You snuck those two second questions in an edit after I responded

When asked about contacts in the USA, she should be honest. The key here is that she has a 'really good job,' and if she can clearly demonstrate to the consular officer the purpose and nature of her trip she has a better chance in the future of visiting again, obtaining a K1 visa or not getting a lifetime ban for lying to a consular official.

At the POE she tells the truth, the same things she told the consular official and presents evidence of the nature of her trip with return flight booked, travel insurance purchased for the duration of her trip, etc. Hotel bookings would be great to, if they actually want to go on a nice trip together and see America.

If their purpose is to sit around his house, and then say 'What the hell, let's get married and try to adjust status' they might as well apply for a K1.

For historical, social, cultural and legal issues the immigration system in America assumes intent to immigrate and it is the burden of the person applying to prove to both the consular official and agent at the POE that they are their for tourism, short-term, with means of support and ties to the home country.

[Ning25 619]

For one, I never suggested they lie about a road trip but that they actually take the steps to plan their visit. To show that it is for tourist purposes, short-term and with supporting funds for the duration of her visit.

If she is serious about coming over, she should pay the extra money for a plane ticket that can be refunded just in case she is denied and show that as well.

A letter from her employer granting her the vacation time as well would also serve her well in this regard, as well as establishing ties to her home country.

The O P has stated the reason for the visit. Any other attempt at avoiding that reality is simply a lie. She could say she is planning to go with him on a trip.

Buying a plane ticket in advance to present as evidence is a really bad idea. The embassy cautions people to not do that. It is viewed as ignorant and arrogant.

A letter from an employer would be ok but this totally depends on what type of job she has. If she is a resident surgeon for example it would help. A shoe clerk has little need to return.

[przyjaciel 5]

The OP stated that the reason for the visit is to visit him. If his girlfriend puts the reason of the trip as 'visiting American citizen boyfriend', she will most likely get denied. The burden is on her, and if the reality is that she wants to sit with him at his house that does not generally fall under the criteria for being granted a B2 visa without considerable suspicion of intent to immigrate.

"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa... that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status..."

The denial is based upon the judgement of the officer at the time of application, so demonstrating to him the purpose of her trip is necessary.

If the purpose of the trip is "Pleasure" then additional documentation "concerning purpose and length of the trip and ability to cover the costs of the trip" should be provided. This could be an itinerary, bank statement, travel insurance, etc.

The OP indicated she had a 'really good job' so I'm assuming she's not selling shoes unless they're particularly fancy. A really good job, that is her career, is a considerable tie to her home country and should be demonstrated as well as is possible.

You are correct about the airplane ticket, don't buy one until you get the visa OP's girlfriend.

The OP's girlfriend has a chance to be granted a tourist visa, and that's not a lie but the reality if they make plans for their vacation and prove that she has the means to support herself during that time and ties be it family, financial (property, lease, etc.) or career to return home.

Edited January 16, 2014 by przyjaciel

[Darnell 8,480]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here, just came across this forum while searching for answers to concerns I have about my girlfriend getting a B2. She lives in Turkey and I have been over to see her a few times, now she would like to come visit me. She has concerns that mentioning our relationship or using me as a contact for her application will get her denied. I can see how they might see having an american boyfriend a risk that she would try to stay, and all of the turkish forums she has been reading have said that absolutely mentioning me will get her denied. Does anyone have any advice here?

Thanks!

Her concerns are valid. She must qualify for a tourist visa on her own merits, proving up strong ties to Turkey. Alas, having a USA boyfriend is the antithesis of that.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Well, I've spoken to her about this all, and she only see's one option; to not mention anything about me. She does not want to get denied and not be able to come here. She thinks we can somehow fake our meeting when she comes here, but I'm not so sure. I have no idea what to do. I don't want her to get denied, I want her to be able to come here. But I'm scared of hurting our future options.

Don't omit her seeing you on her B2. It's better to just do just the K-1, then file a B-2, here's why.

No sense risk getting caught in a lie. The government will find out sooner or later, especially if you want to file a K-1 later after you meet. They will definitely ask if she ever been to the USA and it will come to light she met you and therefore lied on her B2 visa and will result in K-1 denial and a ban.

[MrFrenchTickler 0]

K1 is not an option here, guys. I understand the reasons why that could be better, but that is way too early to be talking about. I'm not sure what we will decide to do with this, right now she just doesn't want to apply at all. So I guess I'll need to start booking another trip to Turkey.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

K1 is not an option here, guys. I understand the reasons why that could be better, but that is way too early to be talking about. I'm not sure what we will decide to do with this, right now she just doesn't want to apply at all. So I guess I'll need to start booking another trip to Turkey.

Yea, I'm just saying that if she does come here on a B2 and does not mention you, it will come out eventually if you do ever decide to get a K-1. Then she will be caught in a lie resulting from her B2 because on of the questions on the K-1 visa application is if you ever traveled to the USA. And if she did come here on a B2, you would have to like keep the whole thing secret, like no pictures, no paper trails of hotel receipts (paid on credit card) if you vacation, etc. And that's no fun.

What i do know is this, it's all how she presents her case. Have a vacation planned, like Walt Disney World. Have an itinerary for her to submit to the CO. Then she just has to prove ties like a good job, return to work letter, family ties, home ownership etc. Having like $5000-$10,000 in savings helps too. Take out travel insurance for her and also submit that as evidence.

Chances are, she still may get denied, but there is no harm in trying.

[MrFrenchTickler 0]

It's good advice, we'll see what happens. Right now she doesn't have much in the way of tying herself to Turkey. So I think this whole thing will be a bust.

[Boiler 48,097]

What about the job, a good job is hard to find.