B2 visa to meet my online boyfriend for the first time.

[Zj88 0]

Hello,

I'm new to this website. I'm in a really difficult situation at the moment, I would really appreciate any advice or help.

 

I met my (online) boyfriend 5 years ago, on a dating website. I'm 27 and he's 32. I'm a permanent resident of Saudi Arabia (I live under my father's sponsorship/visa) and a Pakistani national. He's US citizen, from Nebraska. 

 

I want to apply for a B2 visa, but I'm skeptical as I have read various posts on this website suggesting I should not disclose this information during my interview. 

Now my sole intention is to go see him, come back and apply for a K1 visa. I want to be honest during my interview as I'm not good at making up stories, but at the same time I don't want to be denied a chance to see someone I love. 

 

I've worked as a teacher in the past, I quit my job in 2015. So I'm unemployed at the moment. I do have my savings, but as things go in Saudi, I don't have a bank account so I will be relying on my father's sponsorship. My family is financially well off. My entire immediate family lives in KSA, and we haven't been to our country of origin in past 15 years. Do you guys this will be considered as strong ties to my country of residence? As I'm under my father's sponsorship, I can't leave without my father's permission, and if I don't return my current permanent resident permit will be cancelled and I'll be banned from entering KSA for God know how many years. I think it's a pretty good reason to return. 

 

Do you guys think I have a chance? Or they'll send me back as soon as they hear about my boyfriend? Because I understand my situation is unusual, but I don't think they will give me a chance to explain my situation.  

 

We could meet in another country and apply for K1 visa, but unfortunately my boyfriend can't take another vacation this year and I really don't want to wait another year because the distance is already starting to strain our relationship.  

 

Help! 

 

 

ZJ

 

[Crazy Cat 39,215]

1.  Single 27 year old Female

2.  Boyfriend in US

3.  Unemployed for 2 years

4. Hasn't been in home country for 15 years

5.  No visible means of supporting self during visit to US

 

Strong ties??  It seems more like no ties...I think your chances are slim......but it's your money..........It is possible the CO might think your father is sending you off to find a life in US.

 

What information are you planning to withhold during interview?

Edited September 1, 2017 by missileman

[f f 725]

tell the truth. you want to visit your long time Internet boyfriend to see where thing go. telling half truths only causes problems down the line.

 

it is not unusual to meet someone online and then want to visit them.

[Boiler 43,429]

Apply and find out.

 

Let us know how it goes.

[geowrian 22,335]

First, good luck!

 

You don't have to disclose a boyfriend on any forms, but I can almost guarantee they will ask your purpose for going to the US. Saying "to visit a friend" or similar will almost certainly result in "Boyfriend?" being the next question. So you don't need to volunteer the info, but be ready to be asked about it. Be honest and upfront. Do NOT lie under any circumstance as that is a quick path to both a denial and a misrepresentation (permanent but technically waivable) bar on any future visa. Plus, your timeline for your K-1 visa attempt later wouldn't match up. Lies beget more lies. Just be honest - you're not doing anything wrong by wanting to visit a boyfriend, and many people do this.

 

While KSA has a very low refusal rate for tourist visas, Pakastani nationals have quite a high refusal rate worldwide (just under 50% last fiscal year). It will be difficult, but the only thing to lose - as long as you're honest - is the $160 application fee. My fiancee worked in KSA and applied for a tourist visa, and is a Filipino national (also with a high refusal rate, albeit not nearly as high as Pakastani nationals).

 

As for your particulars, you do have a few minor ties, but the lack of a current job and being able to afford it yourself would make me (if I were a CO) concerned. I don't see strong ties personally. I think the chances are low (sorry!), but it's worth trying still.

 

The other thing to consider for the future...only meeting once before applying for a K-1 is likely to raise a lot of scrutiny. Be sure to gather lots of evidences together when you are there and then send it with your I-129F when the time comes. I highly, highly suggest multiple visits. I understand it's hard to meet elsewhere due to work and such, but spending ~$1000+ and 6-8 months of your life on the visa process without being fully ready for it is worse.

 

Best wishes!

Edited September 1, 2017 by geowrian

[Crazy Cat 39,215]

One more thing to the OP-  I wish you well in your journey.  I certainly don't want to discourage you, but I was trying to be realistic.  Demonstrating strong ties to resident country is critical in every B2 visa case.  Lying to the officers will often result in very serious consequences.

Good Luck!  Please keep us informed....

[Zj88 0]

59 minutes ago, missileman said:

One more thing to the OP-  I wish you well in your journey.  I certainly don't want to discourage you, but I was trying to be realistic.  Demonstrating strong ties to resident country is critical in every B2 visa case.  Lying to the officers will often result in very serious consequences.

Good Luck!  Please keep us informed....

I understand what you're saying, and that's why I'm hesitant to apply. I don't plan on lying during the interview. I don't have any other reason to visit US nor do I want to ruin my chances of getting a K1 visa in the future if we do meet in another country. Thank you.

[Crazy Cat 39,215]

2 minutes ago, Zj88 said:

I understand what you're saying, and that's why I'm hesitant to apply. I don't plan on lying during the interview. I don't have any other reason to visit US nor do I want to ruin my chances of getting a K1 visa in the future if we do meet in another country. Thank you.

If you don't apply, your chances are 0%.  Your goal should be to convince the officers that you will return to your country after the visit......while being completely truthful, of course.

[az2014 381]

As soon as the question 'what job/salary do you have?' is asked the interview will be over.

 

Get a job then apply.

[Boiler 43,429]

That question is on the application.

[Zj88 0]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

First, good luck!

 

You don't have to disclose a boyfriend on any forms, but I can almost guarantee they will ask your purpose for going to the US. Saying "to visit a friend" or similar will almost certainly result in "Boyfriend?" being the next question. So you don't need to volunteer the info, but be ready to be asked about it. Be honest and upfront. Do NOT lie under any circumstance as that is a quick path to both a denial and a misrepresentation (permanent but technically waivable) bar on any future visa. Plus, your timeline for your K-1 visa attempt later wouldn't match up. Lies beget more lies. Just be honest - you're not doing anything wrong by wanting to visit a boyfriend, and many people do this.

 

While KSA has a very low refusal rate for tourist visas, Pakastani nationals have quite a high refusal rate worldwide (just under 50% last fiscal year). It will be difficult, but the only thing to lose - as long as you're honest - is the $160 application fee. My fiancee worked in KSA and applied for a tourist visa, and is a Filipino national (also with a high refusal rate, albeit not nearly as high as Pakastani nationals).

 

As for your particulars, you do have a few minor ties, but the lack of a current job and being able to afford it yourself would make me (if I were a CO) concerned. I don't see strong ties personally. I think the chances are low (sorry!), but it's worth trying still.

 

The other thing to consider for the future...only meeting once before applying for a K-1 is likely to raise a lot of scrutiny. Be sure to gather lots of evidences together when you are there and then send it with your I-129F when the time comes. I highly, highly suggest multiple visits. I understand it's hard to meet elsewhere due to work and such, but spending ~$1000+ and 6-8 months of your life on the visa process without being fully ready for it is worse.

 

Best wishes!

Thank you! I'll definitely gather lots of evidence if we do meet in another country. I have to go through a lot trouble from my family just to be able to travel, so I'm not taking this lightly. 

 

I will be starting a new job in a month or so but then again, a new job won't help either. I'm in a really  lose-lose situation here I guess. 

 

 

[Zj88 0]

I didn't know having a job was a prerequisite for B2 visa. I will be starting a new job soon. 

Thank you. 

[Boiler 43,429]

It is not, totality of the circumstances matter.

[Zj88 0]

2 hours ago, f f said:

tell the truth. you want to visit your long time Internet boyfriend to see where thing go. telling half truths only causes problems down the line.

 

it is not unusual to meet someone online and then want to visit them.

I meant unusual for a Muslim girl from KSA to visit a boyfriend in the US. 

I do want to be honest, but will I be given a chance to explain my situation? 

[Zj88 0]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

It is not, totality of the circumstances matter.

So if I start a new job, and apply after a few months, that would be a red flag as well?