Reason to Visit US too simple??

[kittosuni 0]

My two older sisters are living in the Philippines and Im planning for them to visit us for the holiday. Im planning to finance the trip. I told this to my coworker and she said her brother also applied to visit her but was denied because "just visiting a relative is a very simple reason" and according to her there should be more convincing reason like someone is super sick or dying. I kind of understand the reasoning because my sisters are in the Philippines and i know a lot of people apply for tourist visa but with the intent to immigrate to the US. But this is not our case, I just want them to come visit us. I don't want to lie and make other reasons so my question is HOW are we going to prove that they just want to come visit?

Some infos about my sisters that might help

Sister 1- has husband(business owner) and 5 yr old son, works permanent in a public hospital as a nurse, worked in the middle east as nurse around 2008?, never been in the US, enough savings between her and husband.

Sister 2- has husband(lawyer) 2 kids ages 2 and 3, works as a dietitian and head of the the dietary dept. of a hospital, worked in the middle east as a dietitian around 2006, never been in the US, good savings bet. her and husband

Edited May 4, 2016 by kittosuni

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Looks like they have decent ties. Getting a visit visa is indeed difficult from the Phillipines. All that they can do is try.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If they have decent savings why are you financing the trip?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Visiting relatives is a pretty good reason to want to come to the US.

Your coworker is wrong. Her brother was denied because he didn't have strong ties to overcome the presumption that he intended to immigrate. That has nothing to do with his reason for visiting the US.

[KierenHby 899]

Im planning to finance the trip.

in the Philippines and i know a lot of people apply for tourist visa but with the intent to immigrate to the US.

Lot of US based folks finance overseas relative trips, no issues there. Second statement above is the biggest hurdle.

[kittosuni 0]

If they have decent savings why are you financing the trip?

Because its me who invited them to come to visit us and its my christmas gift to them. And I plan to buy the round trip ticket after they get approve since i dont know the exact dates they get the visa. I will tell them to get bank records showing their savings. Thanks

Or they can buy their own ticket. That would not be a problem

Edited May 4, 2016 by kittosuni

[MacUK 983]

The US doesn't care why people want to go to the US, it can be anything from a dying relative to just wanting to visit a diner you saw on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. It doesn't make a difference.

The only thing they care about is why you'll go home at the end of the trip.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Because its me who invited them to come to visit us and its my christmas gift to them. And I plan to buy the round trip ticket after they get approve since i dont know the exact dates they get the visa. I will tell them to get bank records showing their savings. Thanks

Or they can buy their own ticket. That would not be a problem

Fair enough. It is good that they could afford it if they wanted to.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Where were they in the Middle East? The US recently changed the VWP and visa requirements, making it pretty difficult for anyone who spent time in Irak, Iran, Syria or Sudan to be allowed to visit the US.

Other than that, your sisters seem to have strong ties to their home country. Make sure to have plenty of evidence to show.

Edited May 4, 2016 by mallafri76

[kittosuni 0]

Fair enough. It is good that they could afford it if they wanted to.

roundtrip plane ticket isnt too bad around 1500-2000 USD during holidays. They will be staying with me so we'll be able to save lots for hotel.

[kittosuni 0]

Where were they in the Middle East? The US recently changed the VWP and visa requirements, making it pretty difficult for anyone who spent time in Irak, Iran, Syria or Sudan to be allowed to visit the US.

Other than that, your sisters seem to have strong ties to their home country. Make sure to have plenty of evidence to show.

they worked in Dubai before.

Documents they have:

1. Bank records showing they have savings

2. Documents showing owning house and some land.

3. Document showing monthly car payments

4. verification of work.

[abhi_meli 150]

I completely understand that you wanna pay for their visit but I think they should pay their own.The CO might wonder why they need your help when they have good financial condition.

[HFM181818 750]

both sisters have portable job skills - especially the nurse (US hospitals are always whining about the alleged shortage of nurses....most of the problem is that the hospitals don't want to pay the going rate, so they look to other countries for cheap labor, and the Philippines is and has been a huge source of inexpensive nurses)...so that could work against her, as the CO might well believe that she will jump at the chance to work as a nurse for much more than she can earn in the PI....

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Where were they in the Middle East? The US recently changed the VWP and visa requirements, making it pretty difficult for anyone who spent time in Irak, Iran, Syria or Sudan to be allowed to visit the US.

Other than that, your sisters seem to have strong ties to their home country. Make sure to have plenty of evidence to show.

Philippines are not part of the VWP. They will have to apply for actual tourist visas either way...

[pch1 64]

I know many Filipino friends having members of their family come and visit, enjoy the vacation and go back. They don't need to worry about applying, in matter of fact, having two sisters traveling at the same time is a good idea.

They just have to be prepared to provide their bank statements, proof of owning real estate, home, land, business etc...letter from current employer for your sister with length of employment and salary.

The rest is up to your sisters to make the CO believe. If you are married, it might be helpful to have a letter sent by you and your husband inviting both sisters to come and visit.

Don't be discouraged, not all cases are treated the same. The CO would know if your sisters are telling the truth. Let their husbands go to the interview if they are allowed. Good luck to them!