getting tourist Visa

[Larii 0]

Hi, Im still a student and i have a boyfriend in America, we are planning to have my vacation there for 2 weeks after my graduation on May, obviously i cant show the embassy any proof of my financial stability since im still a student, i would like to ask if a letter from the one who will sponsor my trip can help in getting visa. 

[Going through 5,668]

A letter like that hurts your chances for approval more than it helps.

You are approved/denied based on your own merits only.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Going through

[geowrian 22,336]

The letter won't help your case. Nobody can sponsor a tourist visa. The DS-160 does ask who will pay for the trip, and the CO may ask as well.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

"Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa."

[JE57 239]

What country are you applying from?  If you have an accepted job offer in your home country after your graduation you should bring that with you and be sure to mention that in your interview.  I still see little chance of getting a tourist visa given that you must also mention your Boyfriend USC which makes it even less likely that you will return to your home country.  Understand that during your interview by US Law the interviewing officer must assume that you intend to stay in the USA instead of returning to your home country.   It is your responsibility to show significant ties to your home country that would make it likely that you would not stay in the USA.  A recently graduated student going to visit a BF in the USA has little to chance of overcoming the assumption that you'll stay.  All you can do it try though.  The country that you are in makes a difference too.  A country that has had many previous overstays (aka high fraud rate) is nearly impossible often even with significant ties.   All you can do is try though... Good Luck.  Oh and one final word of advice.  On your interview do be 100% honest with your answers.  If you and your boyfriend decide to move forward to marriage and you immigrating in the future any intent to mis-lead or dishonesty on your tourist interview could become a problem on your subseqeunt K-1 or CR-1 interview.   Not saying you wouldn't be honest just reminding you that the penalties for even 'little white lies' can be substantial in terms of future applications

 

[Larii 0]

16 hours ago, JE57 said:

What country are you applying from?  If you have an accepted job offer in your home country after your graduation you should bring that with you and be sure to mention that in your interview.  I still see little chance of getting a tourist visa given that you must also mention your Boyfriend USC which makes it even less likely that you will return to your home country.  Understand that during your interview by US Law the interviewing officer must assume that you intend to stay in the USA instead of returning to your home country.   It is your responsibility to show significant ties to your home country that would make it likely that you would not stay in the USA.  A recently graduated student going to visit a BF in the USA has little to chance of overcoming the assumption that you'll stay.  All you can do it try though.  The country that you are in makes a difference too.  A country that has had many previous overstays (aka high fraud rate) is nearly impossible often even with significant ties.   All you can do is try though... Good Luck.  Oh and one final word of advice.  On your interview do be 100% honest with your answers.  If you and your boyfriend decide to move forward to marriage and you immigrating in the future any intent to mis-lead or dishonesty on your tourist interview could become a problem on your subseqeunt K-1 or CR-1 interview.   Not saying you wouldn't be honest just reminding you that the penalties for even 'little white lies' can be substantial in terms of future applications

 

I am from Philippines so i think i will really have a hard time to apply for it, and yes we do have plan to get married maybe next year or next 2 years depends on where i will decide to take my masters degree, but also he suggested me to take my masters in US this year. it really makes me sad that my chance in getting visa is very slim 

[JE57 239]

If you decide to take your Master's in the USA then you should start pursuing that now.  There is a possibility that you might be able to get a F-1 Student visa.  However,  you would need to be able to work out how you'd pay for it and your Boy Friend can not be the answer to that.  Since you are planning to immigrate to the USA it seems to make much more sense to take that Master's in the USA as Master's degrees from the Philippines may not be as readily recognized in the US as they would be from a US institution.   Depending on what school you are going to in the Philippines you may find that your Bachelors degree does not adequately prepare you for or qualify you for a Master's degree program in the USA.  Either way it sounds like a K-1 Visa may be your best approach. Start that now and you could be in the USA (If all goes well) in time to start your master's degree in the 2nd semester in the USA.  Note that in the meantime you could look into online course work to supplement or get a head start on your Master's in the USA.   Note that to qualify for a K-1 you and your BF must have proof of having met in person in the last two years.  If you've not yet met in person then I'd say it's time for him to get on a plane and come see you!  It's more fun in the Philippines !  

[Larii 0]

10 minutes ago, JE57 said:

If you decide to take your Master's in the USA then you should start pursuing that now.  There is a possibility that you might be able to get a F-1 Student visa.  However,  you would need to be able to work out how you'd pay for it and your Boy Friend can not be the answer to that.  Since you are planning to immigrate to the USA it seems to make much more sense to take that Master's in the USA as Master's degrees from the Philippines may not be as readily recognized in the US as they would be from a US institution.   Depending on what school you are going to in the Philippines you may find that your Bachelors degree does not adequately prepare you for or qualify you for a Master's degree program in the USA.  Either way it sounds like a K-1 Visa may be your best approach. Start that now and you could be in the USA (If all goes well) in time to start your master's degree in the 2nd semester in the USA.  Note that in the meantime you could look into online course work to supplement or get a head start on your Master's in the USA.   Note that to qualify for a K-1 you and your BF must have proof of having met in person in the last two years.  If you've not yet met in person then I'd say it's time for him to get on a plane and come see you!  It's more fun in the Philippines !  

yeah seems like K-1 Visa is the only choice, i know i cant easily get my masters in US. we met online and met in person once we just started last December so 2 years is still a long run for us (crying face) . he is financially stable so we don't have any problem on that, just the length of time that we have been together, thanks a lot for the help.

[JE57 239]

Getting a Master's degree in the USA should not be too difficult once you move there.   If the USA is your future then I''m not sure why you would want to wait two years.   Hope that you don't mis-understand the requirements for a K-1 visa.  To be eligible for a K-1 visa you have to have met sometime in the last two years,  you and your future husband have already met that requirement.   You must sign a letter of intent to Marry.  Also apparently not a problem for the two of you.   Your future husband must make 125% of Poverty level for the household size (apparently not a problem).  You must both be eligible to Marry.  (I.e. you must be able to get a CENOMAR) he must not be married at the time he applies for you (or become married during the process).     The K-1 does NOT depend on you having been in a long term relationship.  If the two of you are sure that this is right then there is little reason why you shouldn't start the process now.  Having him visit you in person again perhaps after your graduation or even the taking a vacation together to a third country would be very helpful in terms of getting approval but the fact that you only met in December is NOT in and of itself a reason to prevent him from apply for a K-1.   Also worth noting there is no reason you can't apply for a tourist visa and see if perhaps you are lucky and get it.   If you are denied then it will NOT reflect negatively on your K-1 visa application as long as you are completely honest in your tourist visa application and interview.   (In other words don't lie or even attempt to hide something or mislead in any way).  Finally note that in the Philippines you'll need (much later in the process) a CFO sticker in your passport.  CFO will likely require either parental consent or a letter stating parental guidance depending on your age and assuming you are less than 25.  In that sense, it means that to get out of the country you'll likely need your parents consent or at least cooperation on the Philippines side so make sure your parents are involved and know of your plans.  If they put you thru school and want you to get a Master's degree then you'll have to convince them that by going to the USA and getting your MASTERs there that you are not only leveraging your education that they provided for you in the Philippines but that you will have much better economic prospects in the future.   In short keep your parents involved is my humble advice.

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Again, your boyfriend could start the K-1 application tomorrow if he and you agree that is the path you want to take and you should be able to pursue your masters in the USA and pursue online course work that will put you in a better place for doing a masters in the USA while waiting. 

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Just because the relationship is a new one does not mean it can't be a lasting and real one. 

[Larii 0]

i understand now, thank you for your help it helps me a lot and i will also tell this to him. Hope everything will go fine with our application.

[JE57 239]

May God bless both of you in your journey.  He should create an account here and then print out and follow the K-1 Guide.  It's how my wife and I were able to get thru the process relatively easily.   If he has questions or concerns that he feels talking with a fellow American whose been thru the process would help with then he can send me a Private message on this platform and I'll be happy to try to help him. 

 

[Larii 0]

34 minutes ago, JE57 said:

May God bless both of you in your journey.  He should create an account here and then print out and follow the K-1 Guide.  It's how my wife and I were able to get thru the process relatively easily.   If he has questions or concerns that he feels talking with a fellow American whose been thru the process would help with then he can send me a Private message on this platform and I'll be happy to try to help him. 

 

wow. okay i will surely tell him  to do so. thank you very much