Advice Strongly Needed

[coolguy223 10]

So my friend is planning to visit me. I'm a US citizen. She's planning on coming on a B-2 visa. She's Georgian. Currently she's unemployed as she's planning on moving to the UK soon. She will either go there for work or as an Erasmus volunteer. Her plan is to come to the USA for about 2 weeks. I have several questions regarding her situation and would love any advice anyone can give as well as personal anecdotes to help decide what she should do. Firstly, should she apply for the US visa in Georgia or wait til she's in the UK? Initially I thought that it would be best to apply in the UK as I thought having a UK visa would show a good history on her part as well as show that she has no reason to stay in the US illegally as she's already in the UK. However, after reading several posts online I've come to realize that perhaps my logic was not correct. I've read about some people from poor countries working in Japan and were denied tourist visas. Would it be worse for her to apply in the UK as that would weaken her case in terms of any connections to her home country?

Secondly, in terms of sponsors, what does she need/what can I provide? I've read on here that filling an i-134 form will not help her and that she needs to be the one showing that she can afford the trip on her own. Is that correct? She would be staying with me during the trip and not at hotels. Would a letter from me to the embassy help?

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. As I said any advice and personal anecdotes would be greatly appreciated.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Wow. How does she expect to get a B2 without employment or ties to her home country? Especially seeing as she's ready to pick up and go to the UK. This sounds like an uphill battle.

[coolguy223 10]

What if she applies for her US visa while in Georgia after getting her UK visa? She has no absolutely no intention to stay in the USA, really she doesn't. She simply wants to come for 2 weeks to see me. She's only 23 years old and is unable to have acquired the things that show strong ties (i.e. a good job, a house, or children. If she cannot get a US visa I don't mind going to the UK to spend Christmas with her but we both would prefer it if she came here.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just don't see her getting a b2. She can by all means try. All she'd be out is $165

[coolguy223 10]

I see. Thank you for your input. This is not an easy situation and I wish it weren't so. Does anyone else have any advice/personal examples they'd like to share?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

If you are willing to spend Christmas with her, she is more than a 'friend'. The CO will see this too. Thus, she has lots of reasons to stay in the US and will need strong ties to the UK or Georgia...of which right now she has neither.

Perhaps wait until she establishes ties to the UK (house, job, money) then apply for a US visa.

Good luck