Question regarding tourist visa.. Please help

[rita09 0]

Hi.. so I plan on visiting my sister in the US early next year for a few days and she's on OPT Visa right now, but she hasn't found employment yet and is still searching for a job... She graduated this year in May and has a STEM degree.. will that actually hurt my chances of getting a tourist visa? Or I shouldn't mention visiting her at all? I really want to visit the USA.. thanks

[JE57 239]

When you fill up your DS-160 it will ask if you know anyone in the USA..  You must be honest on that application.. It is likely at your tourist interview that they will already know your sister's status and thus if you attempt to conceal it expect a definite denial and possibly a ban.  So the key and the official answer regarding tourist visas to the USA is that to qualify you must have strong ties to your home country.  However, realistically, you can bring dozens of documents with you showing strong ties and it is very unlikely that the interviewer will even look at those documents.   Therefore much of your chances of getting a visa depend on your answer to the very first question asked.  Which is usually why do you want to visit the USA?.  Typically in a visa interview you want answer the questions asked and only give brief answers so a typical answer might be I want to visit the USA for tourism but for a B2 visa I think this is not really a winning strategy.  ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be honest but in being honest you want to make your answers short but full of RELEVENT information.  For example in your case you might say,  My sister went to school in xxxx she visited yyyyy and sent pictures.  It was so beautiful that I want to go visit her and see zzzz region of the country, and my employer is expecting me back 2 weeks after my planned departure in MMMMMMM month.        Any longer than that and you'll be cut off and told to only answer the question asked. 

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Again, be honest but use the very first question to show that you a) have a real tourist intent b) ties to the home country so you will return c) Have done some research and have a definite plan.  Again, it's not a game where you make up the right answer and you win a visa.  It's about having real tourist intent and not intending to use a tourist visa to stay illegally.   The interviewing officer is required by US LAW to presume that you intent to stay in the USA and not return home.  Only if the officer has compelling reason to believe you will return after your visa will you be allowed to obtain such visa.  They are under no obligation to help you make your case or to even ask you if questions about your ties to your home country. 

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Good Luck

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[Haltom Family 40]

2 hours ago, rita09 said:

Hi.. so I plan on visiting my sister in the US early next year for a few days and she's on OPT Visa right now, but she hasn't found employment yet and is still searching for a job... She graduated this year in May and has a STEM degree.. will that actually hurt my chances of getting a tourist visa? Or I shouldn't mention visiting her at all? I really want to visit the USA.. thanks

Hi Rita, 

Yes, JE57 is right about DS160.  "You must be honest on that application" 

 

Since you  will invest 

Time

Effort

Money

Yourself

Hope

 

We suggest for you to be truthful, established facts of your travel itinerary in USA (which includes the people and places you will be visiting, the duration of your stay and reasons of visits) and established a strong ties to the country you are coming from. 

 

The consular officer are trained very well in interviewing applicants. They are like lie detector test that will attached to your body. They can discern facts from fabricated statements. Be hopeful, plan it well and truthful. 

 

God bless. Hope this helps  

 

[Mollie09 1,543]

10 hours ago, rita09 said:

Hi.. so I plan on visiting my sister in the US early next year for a few days and she's on OPT Visa right now, but she hasn't found employment yet and is still searching for a job... She graduated this year in May and has a STEM degree.. will that actually hurt my chances of getting a tourist visa? Or I shouldn't mention visiting her at all? I really want to visit the USA.. thanks

Has she been unemployed since May? Pretty sure her OPT is invalid by now.

[rita09 0]

4 hours ago, Mollie09 said:

Has she been unemployed since May? Pretty sure her OPT is invalid by now.

 

She got her OPT visa in August

[Mollie09 1,543]

14 minutes ago, rita09 said:

 

She got her OPT visa in August

She can only have 90 days of unemployment. Her OPT might be invalid now.

[rita09 0]

1 minute ago, Mollie09 said:

She can only have 90 days of unemployment. Her OPT might be invalid now.

 

So what should I do? I won't get the visa?

[Mollie09 1,543]

2 minutes ago, rita09 said:

 

So what should I do? I won't get the visa?

Your visa is unrelated to her. You apply on your own merits.

[rita09 0]

2 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

Your visa is unrelated to her. You apply on your own merits.

 

So as long as I present strong ties to my country, nothing else matters? 

[rita09 0]

I had my interview today... my visa got denied  The interviewer kept staring at the screen the entire time and barely even looked at me. He just asked me the basic questions about my sister and my work, that's all... I'm so upset! 

Edited December 15, 2017 by rita09

[Boiler 45,663]

Hopefully she can visit you.

[rita09 0]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Hopefully she can visit you.

She just got a job offer two days back so that won't be possible any time soon. I'm going to re-apply again.

[Boiler 45,663]

1 hour ago, rita09 said:

She just got a job offer two days back so that won't be possible any time soon. I'm going to re-apply again.

That is good news, when is your next vacation?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, rita09 said:

 I'm going to re-apply again.

What has changed since your last application that makes you think the outcome will be different?

[rita09 0]

42 minutes ago, Boiler said:

That is good news, when is your next vacation?

I was planning on going there in February next year so I still wanna try go there around that time.