Time frame for mom to get tourist visa-Philippines to USA, permanent resident

[MacUK 983]

One thing, when it comes time for her interview tell her that she in no way mention anything about helping your wife unless she's directly asked.

Of course, if she's asked about it then she should tell the truth but when it comes to tourist visas even helping your own daughter can be seen as 'work' which isn't allowed.

[UKUS123 15]

She is applying for a Tourist Visa so she must act like a Tourist - no immigrant intent, strong ties to home, important reasons to return home soon.

Personally I don't think she should talk about the duration of her Visit with the Consulate - even with B1/B2 Visa, the officer at the point of entry determines how long the person may stay for. (up to 6 months on this Visa).

As the above poster has pointed out, working is not allowed on a Tourist Visa but visiting relatives is allowed.

Edited March 26, 2015 by UKUS123

[jan22 2,898]

She is applying for a Tourist Visa so she must act like a Tourist - no immigrant intent, strong ties to home, important reasons to return home soon.

Personally I don't think she should talk about the duration of her Visit with the Consulate - even with B1/B2 Visa, the officer at the point of entry determines how long the person may stay for. (up to 6 months on this Visa).

As the above poster has pointed out, working is not allowed on a Tourist Visa but visiting relatives is allowed.

No way not to talk about the planned duration of her visit -- it's on the DS-160 form. I'm sure you're not suggesting that they put anything other than the truth on the form...it's never a good idea to do that!

[KiGar 1]

To receive a Tourist Visa or K-1 the applicant must establish significant "ties" to the Philippines...and even that is subjective since I've known several people who were repeatedly denied.

What are "ties"? In short, a very convincing case that it is in the best interest of the applicant to return home to the PI vs staying in the States and experiencing a lower quality of life.

Examples of "ties":

1) Proof of a steady income that affords a "middle class" or above standard of living by USA standards...so probably at least Php80,000 per month take-home assuming no dependents.

2) Property in their name that is free and clear of liens or back taxes. Example: Comfortable condo or house and lot (newer).

3) Children under 16 that will remain behind in the PI....meaning that the child needs/expects the parent to return home soon.

4) Cash savings in the bank of at least $10,000 or Php equivalent....in an established account.

There are plenty more that can be added to this list, depending on the mood of the interviewer, but this is usually the bare minimum for women.

Of those who have been rejected who had a business, cash, property, etc it would be my guess that the reason is that they had no dependent children.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but unless your net worth is $1,000,000 and you have a good/connected lawyer doing the legwork for your mom, it ain't gonna happen.

Think of the health of your child...stressing over things that are hopeless is one of the worst things that a woman can do while pregnant.

[Boiler 43,434]

Minor children are less relevant for PI, they are often left behind.

[KiGar 1]

Minor children are less relevant for PI, they are often left behind.

Children become relevant if the income of the applicant is high enough in the PI. Think of it this way...obviously a woman making Php1-2K per month has every reason to go abroad and send several multiples of that amount back to the children each month. On the other hand if a woman in the PI is earning "middle class" (US standards) income from a business or job where to go to the States without an H-1 would mean a significant pay cut (at best working as an illegal alien and otherwise rolling the dice of life) and therefore no ability to support her local children one can argue that this is the strongest proof of ties.

[UKUS123 15]

No way not to talk about the planned duration of her visit -- it's on the DS-160 form. I'm sure you're not suggesting that they put anything other than the truth on the form...it's never a good idea to do that!

No I am not suggesting they lie. But I assume no return ticket has been booked yet so it's actually ridiculous to plan a trip when you don't even have the visa in hand. Surely the consulate/embassy knows this.

[MacUK 983]

To receive a Tourist Visa or K-1 the applicant must establish significant "ties" to the Philippines

Why would someone need significant ties to get a K1? The purpose of a K1 is to leave a home country, not go back to it.

[KiGar 1]

Why would someone need significant ties to get a K1? The purpose of a K1 is to leave a home country, not go back to it.

You're absolutely correct...that was a serious brain malfunction/typo combo or something when I threw that K-1 in there...

[jan22 2,898]

No I am not suggesting they lie. But I assume no return ticket has been booked yet so it's actually ridiculous to plan a trip when you don't even have the visa in hand. Surely the consulate/embassy knows this.

Of course the consulate/embassy knows that -- they're the ones who always say do not prchase tickets until the visa is in hand. That does not mean, however, that you don't make PLANS for the proposed trip. The application form requires you to put your planned entry date and planned length of stay. Anything less than the truth concerning your plans may come back to bite you, especially if you would be uncomfortable talking about your plans as written on the form versus your real plans.

[Darnell 8,478]

No I'm not. You misunderstood the the point of my question. I'm just asking if that would somehow speed up the process. In any case, she can stay for what, 3months then apply for an extension

did she self-schedule last week? Yes? No? If no, why no?

[UKUS123 15]

Of course the consulate/embassy knows that -- they're the ones who always say do not prchase tickets until the visa is in hand. That does not mean, however, that you don't make PLANS for the proposed trip. The application form requires you to put your planned entry date and planned length of stay. Anything less than the truth concerning your plans may come back to bite you, especially if you would be uncomfortable talking about your plans as written on the form versus your real plans.

I didn't mean to argue with you. I understand what you are saying. Plans change all the time though, especially depending on the outcomes of getting a Visa.

OP is not beholden to a 3 month stay now that he/she stated it on VisaJourney. When I applied for my B1/B2 it was for a 2 week trip and I got a 10 year multiple entry Visa. Subsequent to that trip I have stayed for over 3 months at times.

You are allowed to change your mind once you get a tourist visa and subsequently change your plans. There is nothing illegal about that.

[Dalyn 1]

Hi to all, my mother have her interview on April 13, 7:15 am and we will try to provide all the documents that might help on her interview especially evidence that she will return to the Philippines. I am praying she will pass, so she can come here at Summer time. And I really don't want to go on the route that I will apply for her to come here as immigrant if she will only stay here for 2-3 months and she will lose her status because she can't stay in US because of the weather/health.

I will keep you posted and definitely share her experience in here. Pass or Deny ..

[Dalyn 1]

It won't be for awhile. Mom is still waiting for her passport. It seems to take longer now (wife got her passport in a week, a couple years ago) Mom's passport won't be ready until May 5th. grrrr....

Sorry Dalyn. When it happens I'll definitely post her experience. If you go first, can you do the same?

BTW, we are gathering as much paperwork as possible. Property paperwork, signed letter from Mayor of Daram stating vacation allotment, bank account info (MIL will open a bank account while waiting for her passport), proof that kids are out of school once the current semester ends (not sure to go about that but will figure it out), maybe have her daughter who lives with them create a letter stating Mom is main provider, needs to return and also daughter will care for kids while mom is gone, her mid-wife certificate as proof of other work, husband's death certificate (hope that will help to show that she IS the main provider and needs a vacation having "solely" cared for her family since) whatever paperwork from kids' school that will help (investigating that now).

It is all a shot in the dark. Learned a little here so we are making up the rest as we go along. Keep you posted.

Aloha

Hey there, I would like to let you know that my mother passed her interview yesterday. She was interviewed for less than 5 minutes and she said she had a very good experience because they accommodated her request for her to have a interpreter, Plus take note they didn't look or asked for any documents. They asked her a few questions about me and ofcourse mostly about her. She was just very honest on all of their questions like:

1. Who will paying for her trip? which is me and my husband here.

2. Who is supporting her because she is not working? She said me, her daughter since after my college I had been supporting them and yes until now but she mentioned she also have a youngest son who is also helping her out.

3. How long is she staying in US? She said 2 months, by late summer to fall

4. If she is thinking to get a citizenship in here? She said a big NO, it is very COLD in New Hampshire...

That was it and the consul asked for her passport and gave my mother a thumbs up. She was so surprised and asked them if she is all set?? Because after all of our preparation, meaning all the documentation and paper work, they didn't asked any of it. I am not complaining but my mother was hahaha.. So thankful to God and we will see her on 1st week of Aug this year and then planning for her to go back to the Philippines by mid or end of October.

But be prepared for documentation maybe my mother just get so lucky that they didn't asked any documents from her but according to her there are so many out there in her batch that they were asking for them to show some supporting documents.

Hope your mother in law will pass her interview too, that will help your wife emotionally too.. Because seeing her Mom around while she is giving birth and someone will take care of her and her baby..that is a big deal...Goodluck!

Edited April 13, 2015 by Dalyn

[Mar and Esp 4]

Congrats Dalyn!

My parents' interview schedule is in 2 weeks. Crossing my fingers they will get the same result as yours. How did your mom request for an interpreter? Did she ask before she even got to the window for the interview with the consul?