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

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

Just now, Zj88 said:

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

It might be a good thing......It provides a reason for you to return.

[geowrian 22,335]

5 minutes ago, Zj88 said:

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? 

The only option is to be honest. Anything else would be misrepresentation.

Depends. Many times the information from the DS-160 contains enough information about ties for the CO to make a decision so the interview is just a formality. Sometimes the interview makes the difference. Honestly, I would not expect to be able to convince them with any sort of plea...they'll ask some questions and *maybe* ask for additional evidence (bank statements, employment letter expecting you back, etc.). The COs don't have the time to learn about every individual and their specific circumstances...they go based on the facts available to them.

[Boiler 43,434]

56 minutes ago, Zj88 said:

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

Not a red flag just not that relevant.

[Boiler 43,434]

50 minutes ago, geowrian said:

The only option is to be honest. Anything else would be misrepresentation.

Depends. Many times the information from the DS-160 contains enough information about ties for the CO to make a decision so the interview is just a formality. Sometimes the interview makes the difference. Honestly, I would not expect to be able to convince them with any sort of plea...they'll ask some questions and *maybe* ask for additional evidence (bank statements, employment letter expecting you back, etc.). The COs don't have the time to learn about every individual and their specific circumstances...they go based on the facts available to them.

Usually it is a done deal based on the application. I am sure there is the very odd case that may be in the balance.

[POA 175]

10 hours ago, Zj88 said:

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

 

 

The only thing that is sure is you will not be granted a visa if you don't apply for it. Some people gets visa without strong ties and some don't even with strong ties. So if your plan is just to visit your boyfriend and not stay, try it. Long distance relationship is never easy.

[Ning 619]

7 hours ago, Zj88 said:

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

Having a job would be ok but jobs are easy to leave & acquire just as you are about to do. In your case, in that country, its not that unusual for a father to fully support a child especially a daughter. The fact that you rely on him for such support my help you. I doubt he would support you if you didn't return. 

In my experience I found there was no chance to explain anything but your circumstances are unique as is the embassy there.  Best to apply & be ready to explain if given a chance.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

My husband was a saudi resident, but he's Filipino. When he applied in Saudi for a B2 visitors, they had already made up their mind before he'd walked in the room. They asked him 2 questions and he was out of there in 3 minutes. She told him that he'd only been with his company for 2 years, amd thats not strong enough ties. She said to come back when he'd been with the company at least 5 years. Also, are you Muslim? I'm not trying to sound harsh but you know how strict Saudi is. The reason for visiting may be difficult to overcome, although not unlikely. You can always try as long as you have the finances to spare. 

[Zj88 0]

3 minutes ago, Meg&Andrew said:

My husband was a saudi resident, but he's Filipino. When he applied in Saudi for a B2 visitors, they had already made up their mind before he'd walked in the room. They asked him 2 questions and he was out of there in 3 minutes. She told him that he'd only been with his company for 2 years, amd thats not strong enough ties. She said to come back when he'd been with the company at least 5 years. Also, are you Muslim? I'm not trying to sound harsh but you know how strict Saudi is. The reason for visiting may be difficult to overcome, although not unlikely. You can always try as long as you have the finances to spare. 

Yes, I'm Muslim and that's exactly why this whole situation is so difficult. As a female I'll be dependent on my father even if I have a job. I can't open a bank account without him, and can't even leave the country without his permission. That's why I thought it would be a strong tie, because I'm bound by my permanent residency (convincing my father is a difficult situation in it's own). But I guess they're going to see it as eloping with my USC boyfriend.

 

In my home country, I won't need any of those things but getting a visa from Pakistan at the moment is like finding a unicorn. On the other hand, I have seen Saudi women getting visas when they have nothing but just a lot of bank balance. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zj88 0]

1 hour ago, POA said:

 

The only thing that is sure is you will not be granted a visa if you don't apply for it. Some people gets visa without strong ties and some don't even with strong ties. So if your plan is just to visit your boyfriend and not stay, try it. Long distance relationship is never easy.

It's really not, specially when it's several years long. Every time I explain my situation to someone, all I get is I'm living in a fantasy world.

I guess I'll try and leave it on fate, as my situation is not going change anytime soon. I have spoken to a visa consultant and they told me it's by luck, just try.

 

Thank you for your kind and encouraging response. 

[caliliving 606]

12 hours ago, Zj88 said:

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

 

what do you think? do you think you have strong ties??

[Zj88 0]

2 minutes ago, caliliving said:

what do you think? do you think you have strong ties??

On the paper, I don't think so. I don't have strong ties in terms of property or job. I can't own a house, car, or bank account here as a foreign female. Hence the question...

 

I do have a strong relationship with my family though, I'm also bound by my visa and permanent residency in KSA. If I don't return or overstay my visit, my family can get in trouble with the Saudi law and I'll be black listed! I have not been to my home country since I was 12, this is home to me. I can't take a risk, I won't be able to see my parents ever again. But that wouldn't matter I think. 

 

[Going through 5,668]

6 hours ago, Zj88 said:

It's really not, specially when it's several years long. Every time I explain my situation to someone, all I get is I'm living in a fantasy world.

I guess I'll try and leave it on fate, as my situation is not going change anytime soon. I have spoken to a visa consultant and they told me it's by luck, just try.

 

Thank you for your kind and encouraging response. 

As you say,  your family is financially well-off, so I presume it won't be a struggle for you to find the funds to apply for the visa especially since you also said you have your own savings.  The worst-case scenario is that they deny your application---but the best case scenario is that they approve it.   If I were in your shoes, and the money I spend wouldn't make a dent in my overall financial well-being, I would give it a try at least---best of luck.

 

With your application, I suppose you could always include a cover-letter regarding how it is custom in your country for the daughter to receive her father's financial sponsorship, explanation about how if you did not return you would be facing legal consequences in your own country, etc.  I suggest this, as you seemed concerned about not having the opportunity to present your "explanation" upfront.

 

 

[az2014 381]

7 hours ago, Zj88 said:

Yes, I'm Muslim and that's exactly why this whole situation is so difficult. As a female I'll be dependent on my father even if I have a job. I can't open a bank account without him, and can't even leave the country without his permission. That's why I thought it would be a strong tie, because I'm bound by my permanent residency (convincing my father is a difficult situation in it's own). But I guess they're going to see it as eloping with my USC boyfriend.

 

 

 

 

 

Thats so sad..you are 27 and still dependant on your father? Dont you want to have control over your own life and make your own decisions?

[Going through 5,668]

10 minutes ago, az2014 said:

Thats so sad..you are 27 and still dependant on your father? Dont you want to have control over your own life and make your own decisions?

In that country and culture it's custom for unmarried females to be fully financially supported by their father, and need permission from the father to do certain things (like leave the country).   

[Ning 619]

6 hours ago, Zj88 said:

On the paper, I don't think so. I don't have strong ties in terms of property or job. I can't own a house, car, or bank account here as a foreign female. Hence the question...

 

I do have a strong relationship with my family though, I'm also bound by my visa and permanent residency in KSA. If I don't return or overstay my visit, my family can get in trouble with the Saudi law and I'll be black listed! I have not been to my home country since I was 12, this is home to me. I can't take a risk, I won't be able to see my parents ever again. But that wouldn't matter I think. 

 

I had very strong ties to Thailand. I own land, had two businesses, large extended family & a 9 year old daughter. Three denials for B 2. I found that all of wasn't enough but its Thailand. Those denials caused my husband to decide to bring us to America where we have become citizens which gave us freedom to do as we please. 

In many cases we have seen here on V J property, jobs, money in banks means little because its all transferable or could be sold just as it is in immigration cases. Your culture, family & with respect the Muslim aspect is your best advantage. Present those as your ties because if broken you would have a very very difficult situation. 

One critic pointed out your age & asked why you don't do certain things. While the question is born of ignorance the answer to that may be key. You have demonstrated for many years devotion to faith, family & adopted country. Use that as your tangible ties.