Advice for my girlfriend

[Don4593 1]

I just found this website and I hope this sort of question is okay, but my girlfriend is super worried she would get denied a visa to the U.S. It seems that she believes that her country has the reputation of getting visa requests denied, however, I think that is not true.

 

She is a Russian citizen. She is 28. She has a job as an accountant and she has worked there for several years. She graduated university. She does not have much savings to this point in time. She has a small family that resides in the same region as her. She knows no one in America other than me. She has traveled to many places on 3 continents. She owns no property and no major assets.

 

I fear that if she says she is traveling with me, her boyfriend, that they will deny it on the premise that we will run off and get married there. However, I do not want her to lie and get permanently banned (though we would certainly not get married). While we would go to the states together she plans to go to the popular touristy places and catch up with me after 2 weeks of solo traveling. Is it safe to say that she is traveling solo and does not need to include me in a discussion? Will it hurt her negatively given that she is a female traveling solo so far away from home?

 

How much money should she have in her bank account? Also, could I put money in there for her? 

 

If she gets denied when can she reapply?

 

I need to do more research as to which visa we should apply for still. 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

As a Russian female she may have difficulty.  Not for certain.  Provide all ties to return home possible (job, property, etc) that's all that you can do.  There's no magic number for funds in her account.  If she's asked who she's going to visit she should always be honest. 

[KierenHby 900]

She (not you) applies for a B2 tourist visa. The application asks for purpose and duration of the intended trip. If she is questioned on who she is visiting, she needs to be truthful, there's no way around that. 

 

And while she may not have any intention of staying in the US, many single females before her on B2 visas have overstayed, which in turn makes it harder for your girlfriend. But, she can try.. all it takes is 165 to find out. 

[geowrian 22,339]

This visa would be a B2 (tourist visa). If denied, she can reapply but unless her circumstances change, the result is highly unlikely to change. You can help her with the process if you want, but it's her application and you can't sponsor her or anything. She needs to prove her ties to return home by herself. As others noted, a history of others in similar situations staying in the US have resulted in increased scrutiny of immigrant intent.

 

The CO will likely ask who she is visiting while in the US, and if they are a boyfriend. She just needs to tell them the truth.

 

I'd say go for it and find out than just wonder what could have been. But if denied, then be prepared to accept the result and meet outside the US next time.

[Hypnos 6,579]

30 minutes ago, Don4593 said:

I fear that if she says she is traveling with me, her boyfriend, that they will deny it on the premise that we will run off and get married there.

This is the most likely outcome.

 

Unless you get engaged or married then she has no other options at this time.

[Coco8 1,054]

When you are in the visa interview they give you short questions. They basically have a predetermined list of questions they ask. 

 

She has to answer the question truthfully but that does not mean giving them a whole story/background. If they ask the purpose of the trip, she can say it is to travel as a tourist That is the answer to the question.  I doubt she will be asked if she has a US citizen boyfriend. If she is asked if she knows people she can say she has some friends. They usually have like questions they have to click through depending on someone's answer. It is not like they write down your whole answer and keep track of that.

 

1 hour ago, Don4593 said:

 

How much money should she have in her bank account? Also, could I put money in there for her? 

 

 

I think she should have enough to cover all her trip. You could put money there. But there should not be a transaction as incoming money from a foreign bank account or something like that.  Maybe she can deposit the money herself or do a paypal transaction (?).

 

 You don't want to put so much money that they think she is saving for something (like staying in the US). 

 

1 hour ago, Don4593 said:

 

She is a Russian citizen. She is 28. She has a job as an accountant and she has worked there for several years. She graduated university. She does not have much savings to this point in time. She has a small family that resides in the same region as her. She knows no one in America other than me. She has traveled to many places on 3 continents. She owns no property and no major assets.

 

 

Does she work for a company? Then she can show she is taking vacation and she should have paystubs from work. If she works independently, that could be a problem. 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

1 minute ago, Coco8 said:

When you are in the visa interview they give you short questions. They basically have a predetermined list of questions they ask. 

 

She has to answer the question truthfully but that does not mean giving them a whole story/background. If they ask the purpose of the trip, she can say it is to travel as a tourist That is the answer to the question.  I doubt she will be asked if she has a US citizen boyfriend. If she is asked if she knows people she can say she has some friends. They usually have like questions they have to click through depending on someone's answer. It is not like they write down your whole answer and keep track of that.

 

 

I think she should have enough to cover all her trip. You could put money there. But there should not be a transaction as incoming money from a foreign bank account or something like that.  Maybe she can deposit the money herself or do a paypal transaction (?).

 

 You don't want to put so much money that they think she is saving for something (like staying in the US). 

 

 

Does she work for a company? Then she can show she is taking vacation and she should have paystubs from work. If she works independently, that could be a problem. 

Completely and utterly disagree.  Quite often it seems to go like this from my experience on this site:

 

IO: purpose of visit?

applicant: tourism

IO: who are you visiting?

applicant: friends

IO: boyfriend?

 

 

[mallafri76 1,012]

20 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

Completely and utterly disagree.  Quite often it seems to go like this from my experience on this site:

 

IO: purpose of visit?

applicant: tourism

IO: who are you visiting?

applicant: friends

IO: boyfriend?

 

 

True. And OP don't forget that if you want to go the fiancé or spousal visa down the line, saying friend rather than boyfriend on this tourist visa application may come back to bite you in the future...

[neilsqueen 433]

I would advise never to lie.  Half truths won't work either.  Things have a way to come back and really hurt you in the future.  @mallafri76 has a great point.  If you want to file for her later on as a fiance or wife, you are going to have troubles.  They keep record of everything you say and will review them when a new request comes thru.  Best wishes!

[millefleur 5,052]

There was a recent case on this forum of someone's Russian fiancée successfully being given a tourist visa. All I remember is that it happened in Moscow, seems like the Moscow embassy is more generous with tourist visas than other consulates here.

 

Chances look pretty slim, but she can always try. She should definately mention you during the interview because if she ever wants to get a K-1 or any other kind of visa through you, they will remember and record what she says during this interview. If she lies, it can create problems down the road. They keep records of everything.

Edited April 8, 2017 by millefleur

[Auds 223]

travel history, i hope some is to Europe or so..

 

If her current job is good and she's been in it 2 yrs plus.

 

she will have a chance.

 

Good luck.  

[Don4593 1]

8 hours ago, Coco8 said:

When you are in the visa interview they give you short questions. They basically have a predetermined list of questions they ask. 

 

She has to answer the question truthfully but that does not mean giving them a whole story/background. If they ask the purpose of the trip, she can say it is to travel as a tourist That is the answer to the question.  I doubt she will be asked if she has a US citizen boyfriend. If she is asked if she knows people she can say she has some friends. They usually have like questions they have to click through depending on someone's answer. It is not like they write down your whole answer and keep track of that.

 

 

I think she should have enough to cover all her trip. You could put money there. But there should not be a transaction as incoming money from a foreign bank account or something like that.  Maybe she can deposit the money herself or do a paypal transaction (?).

 

 You don't want to put so much money that they think she is saving for something (like staying in the US). 

 

 

Does she work for a company? Then she can show she is taking vacation and she should have paystubs from work. If she works independently, that could be a problem. 

3

Thank you. I actually live and work in Russia myself. So any transaction would be from a Russian bank to Russian bank. And she does work for a company so providing pay stubs would not be a problem

[Don4593 1]

1 hour ago, Auds said:

travel history, i hope some is to Europe or so..

 

If her current job is good and she's been in it 2 yrs plus.

 

she will have a chance.

 

Good luck.  

 

Yes, all over Europe and we are going to add some more countries to that list in a month

[Auds 223]

2 hours ago, Don4593 said:

Yes, all over Europe and we are going to add some more countries to that list in a month

I do think she has a decent chance.   Let us know.

[JE57 242]

Hi Don4593,

   I think you need to remember that by law the officer who interviews her must assume that she intends to immigrate to the USA.  Having a USC boyfriend is USUALLY a huge red flag.   In this case I'd suggest that presented correctly it works in her favor... Let me explain....

   IF you have a visa for Russia and residence in Russia and clear reason to remain in Russia (like a good job) and you are in a serious relationship with your Girlfriend such as living with her for instance in Russia then you can become part of the reason she will return to Russia.. Then her answers are completely honest and definitely will not come back to bite her in the future.   It isn't clear if they record word for word what the applicant says but they defiantly keep a record and a fairly detailed on at that.   The truth won't assure her a VISA but the truth will prevent any bans in the future which in this case is important.   So long as you are a resident in Russia and have strong reason to return then there is no reason in my mind she shouldn't mention you.   Many on this forum will tell you that IOs have an uncanny ability to spot lies and half truths.  Don't risk it.