Visitor Visa - Chances of Approval

[carmel34 3,529]

"a few friends" in the US--any romantic interest in any of them?  That could be a problem for a future B2 visa application, just something to keep in mind...

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

45 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

"a few friends" in the US--any romantic interest in any of them?  That could be a problem for a future B2 visa application, just something to keep in mind...

A thought that did spring to mind as it is pretty unusual to make Des Moines the destination for a first trip to the US; still, stranger things have happened!

[carmel34 3,529]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

A thought that did spring to mind as it is pretty unusual to make Des Moines the destination for a first trip to the US; still, stranger things have happened!

"Yes sir, I want a tourist visa to visit the US for the first time."  "Where will you travel in the US?"  "To Des Moines, Iowa, for three weeks...."  

[DuncanWilson 4]

1 minute ago, carmel34 said:

"Yes sir, I want a tourist visa to visit the US for the first time."  "Where will you travel in the US?"  "To Des Moines, Iowa, for three weeks...."  

Well, we’ve gotta start somewhere! 😂

1 minute ago, carmel34 said:

"Yes sir, I want a tourist visa to visit the US for the first time."  "Where will you travel in the US?"  "To Des Moines, Iowa, for three weeks...."  

I’ve got the ESTA for now. I’m sure I’ll obtain a visa when I go on a more convincing trip! 😂

[carmel34 3,529]

5 minutes ago, DuncanWilson said:

Well, we’ve gotta start somewhere! 😂

I’ve got the ESTA for now. I’m sure I’ll obtain a visa when I go on a more convincing trip! 😂

Enjoy Des Moines.  Hiking the Appalachian Trail sounds more like a tourist...  or Disney World.

[DuncanWilson 4]

4 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

Enjoy Des Moines.  Hiking the Appalachian Trail sounds more like a tourist...  or Disney World.

I quite agree! Cheers! 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

10 minutes ago, DuncanWilson said:

Well, we’ve gotta start somewhere! 😂

 

New York City comes to mind to start somewhere, but hey enjoy Iowa!

 

You might run into some presidential candidates campaigning. 

[SalishSea 16,747]

7 hours ago, aleful said:

hi

 

none, nope, zero chance

 

cancel the interview and apply for ESTA. the first thing that the officer will ask you and think, why do you need a tourist visa if you can visit with an ESTA?

 

it doesn't matter your plans in the future, you can always apply for a tourist visa in the future, it's this trip what matters.

 

Most of the evidence is irrelevant, immigration doesn't care about an invitation or your dog, or even your family. you are a young man with a place to stay, you don't have a job in your country, you can stay with your friends and get a job here,

 

you said it yourself you can get up and go, you don't have strong ties to your country.

Not true.  My husband is from a VWP, and he applied for (and received) a B-2 with NO problems.  It does happen.  

[DuncanWilson 4]

9 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Not true.  My husband is from a VWP, and he applied for (and received) a B-2 with NO problems.  It does happen.  

May I ask what your husband’s situation was at that time? What were his reasons for obtaining a B-2 visa? Thank you. 

[SalishSea 16,747]

Just now, DuncanWilson said:

May I ask what your husband’s situation was at that time? What were his reasons for obtaining a B-2 visa? Thank you. 

He had been over here on the ESTA, and POE was a tiny little island here in Washington state (we were coming in via Canada), and they clearly were not used to processing ESTAs or passports other than Canadian, LOL.....at least that's how it felt.  Also, he wanted the option to be able to stay for longer than 90 days.

 

He is in his 50s and had strong ties to New Zealand at the time (kids, property, job), but also was totally honest about having a GF in Seattle.

 

I know you are young and your situation is different, but I get tired of VJers claiming that no one from a VWP country EVER gets a B-2.  I promise it happens.  😊

[DuncanWilson 4]

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

He had been over here on the ESTA, and POE was a tiny little island here in Washington state (we were coming in via Canada), and they clearly were not used to processing ESTAs or passports other than Canadian, LOL.....at least that's how it felt.  Also, he wanted the option to be able to stay for longer than 90 days.

 

He is in his 50s and had strong ties to New Zealand at the time (kids, property, job), but also was totally honest about having a GF in Seattle.

 

I know you are young and your situation is different, but I get tired of VJers claiming that no one from a VWP country EVER gets a B-2.  I promise it happens.  😊

I believe it does happen, but I don’t have the same strong ties to my home that your husband had to his at that time. I’m on the ESTA for now and hopefully I can obtain a B-type visitor visa at a later date. 😊

[SalishSea 16,747]

10 minutes ago, DuncanWilson said:

I believe it does happen, but I don’t have the same strong ties to my home that your husband had to his at that time. I’m on the ESTA for now and hopefully I can obtain a B-type visitor visa at a later date. 😊

Yup, exactly.  

[EM_Vandaveer 2,366]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

He had been over here on the ESTA, and POE was a tiny little island here in Washington state (we were coming in via Canada), and they clearly were not used to processing ESTAs or passports other than Canadian, LOL.....at least that's how it felt.  Also, he wanted the option to be able to stay for longer than 90 days.

 

He is in his 50s and had strong ties to New Zealand at the time (kids, property, job), but also was totally honest about having a GF in Seattle.

 

I know you are young and your situation is different, but I get tired of VJers claiming that no one from a VWP country EVER gets a B-2.  I promise it happens.  😊

I don't think anyone claimed it never happens. It doesn't happen often therefore in most situations it's not worth the risk of losing VWP privileges.

[nastra30 1,968]

8 hours ago, DuncanWilson said:

Thank you to everybody! I have since applied for my ESTA and shelved the DS-160. I will apply for my visa when it’s closer to my longer visit. Out of interest, will travel to and from the US on an ESTA support a future visa application as it shows you to be ‘trusted’ to return home? 

 

Thank you. 

Agreed! Yes, I’m looking forward to the state fair. I’m sure I’ll have a ball. Thank you. 

Good decision, imo.

[SalishSea 16,747]

48 minutes ago, EM_Vandaveer said:

I don't think anyone claimed it never happens. It doesn't happen often therefore in most situations it's not worth the risk of losing VWP privileges.

MANY have claimed this.  (See above:  "none, nope, zero chance").  I haven't seen actual data (or even much anecdotal evidence from people here who personally experienced it), but in our personal experience, the husband had absolutely NO problem getting a B-2 from a VWP country.