B2 Visa for boyfriend to visit

[Abrha 2]

I live in Washington state and my boyfriend is from Ethiopia, he wants to come for vacation and visit me, since I’ve traveled to visit him already a total of 3 times within the last 2years, is it hard to get a B2 visa for him to come from Ethiopia?  

[millefleur 5,035]

You posted in another forum about doing a K-1 visa. That will make it even harder because they will assume he has immigrant intent. He can try to apply but odds are very low, he would need to overcome the burden of intent to immigrate.

 

Also, your trips to visit him in Ethiopia have nothing to do with him getting a tourist visa. All they care about is whether or not he will return to his home country, and with a K-1 application pending, that will be very hard to prove. 

[geowrian 22,335]

He applies and finds out. The odds are against him with a US-based SO. The refusal rate for Ethiopia is also very high, so he would need to have some pretty strong ties to return home to convince the CO that he will actually return home.

[Sparkle Sparkle 913]

In addition to what @millefleur and @geowrian already said, the US does not recognize boyfriends or girlfriends. He will apply and qualify for a B2 visa on his own merit. Since you already posted on another forum about K1, My advise is that you file I-129f petition for him so you too can be together. You stated that you have been to his country to visit him 3 times and if both of you are free to marry then its the proper thing to do.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Let’s also take a deep breath here guys. I know poster has asked about before it but let’s face it, not everyone is comfortable planning getting married after meeting just 3 times, or filing k1 just because getting a B visa is hard. which it is for Ethiopia, 45% refusal rate. 
 

@Abrhacan you clarify if this is “boyfriend” or “fiancé” and whether you have actually filed, or are planning to file, a K1? That will help us figure out if we should be answering your question at face value (in other words, what kind of factors will be helpful and what won’t, though all will be to do with your boyfriend’s situation and not what you can do). 

 

[Boiler 43,438]

Yes

[Abrha 2]

Sorry guys, I should’ve been clear about my situation with my boyfriend, I haven’t filed the I129f application yet due to finances and the COVID 19 pandemic, plus I wanted to read up on both K1 visa, and B2 visa... I would love to have him come visit and meet my family before coming on a K1 visa in future, he definitely would return home to Ethiopia due to he and his sister caring for their mom who has some health issues, him and I understand the importance of being totally honest and up front about everything and anything regarding our relationship if we are able to do B2 visa.. we want to spend time together before he goes back home to Ethiopia..much needed vacation given all this COVID mess.. and him taking care of his mom with his sister, I work in healthcare the ER department to be exact.. and guys, I’ve seen and been through a lot with my fellow coworkers, I work in admissions in ER and it’s times like this that I truly miss my boyfriend and wish he could come visit me, spend quality time together and just enjoy each other’s company!

[Boiler 43,438]

How will he be able to stay and take care of his Mum and his Sister and if you file a K1?

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Well - first, he’s obviously not going to be able to visit you until all this is over, or mostly over. No US embassies are issuing routine visas at present. 
 

Then, when he can, he is going to need to convince the interviewing officer of his intent to return to Ethiopia. A good job will help a lot; you are a tie to the US, so he needs a strong “offset” if you see what I mean. Caring for his mom is not a real tie if he not only has siblings there who can but has an intent down the line to emigrate to the US. Unfortunately I can see a fair chance of denial (not certain, I don’t know job etc). Second best option might be to see if he can get a visa to Canada & your family can maybe meet him in Vancouver?
 

With the current travel bans none of this will happen anytime soon though. 

[Abrha 2]

26 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Well - first, he’s obviously not going to be able to visit you until all this is over, or mostly over. No US embassies are issuing routine visas at present. 
 

Then, when he can, he is going to need to convince the interviewing officer of his intent to return to Ethiopia. A good job will help a lot; you are a tie to the US, so he needs a strong “offset” if you see what I mean. Caring for his mom is not a real tie if he not only has siblings there who can but has an intent down the line to emigrate to the US. Unfortunately I can see a fair chance of denial (not certain, I don’t know job etc). Second best option might be to see if he can get a visa to Canada & your family can maybe meet him in Vancouver?
 

With the current travel bans none of this will happen anytime soon though. 

 

3 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Let’s also take a deep breath here guys. I know poster has asked about before it but let’s face it, not everyone is comfortable planning getting married after meeting just 3 times, or filing k1 just because getting a B visa is hard. which it is for Ethiopia, 45% refusal rate. 
 

@Abrhacan you clarify if this is “boyfriend” or “fiancé” and whether you have actually filed, or are planning to file, a K1? That will help us figure out if we should be answering your question at face value (in other words, what kind of factors will be helpful and what won’t, though all will be to do with your boyfriend’s situation and not what you can do). 

 

 

26 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Well - first, he’s obviously not going to be able to visit you until all this is over, or mostly over. No US embassies are issuing routine visas at present. 
 

Then, when he can, he is going to need to convince the interviewing officer of his intent to return to Ethiopia. A good job will help a lot; you are a tie to the US, so he needs a strong “offset” if you see what I mean. Caring for his mom is not a real tie if he not only has siblings there who can but has an intent down the line to emigrate to the US. Unfortunately I can see a fair chance of denial (not certain, I don’t know job etc). Second best option might be to see if he can get a visa to Canada & your family can maybe meet him in Vancouver?
 

With the current travel bans none of this will happen anytime soon though. 

Thanks for sharing this info..yes I realize with all that is happening now in the world with COVID 19, no ones going anywhere anytime soon, it’s just the reality at this time.. his sister lives in another city due to her job and kids, but my boyfriend lives with his mom, she depends on him for everything..he had to wit his job to care for her, if he’s able to come on a tourist visa, his sister would then fly to stay with her until he returns, I appreciate the information from all of you out there in this forum! Stay safe and stay home.. 

[Abrha 2]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

How will he be able to stay and take care of his Mum and his Sister and if you file a K1?

At this time he lives with his mom, his sister and her family live in the capital city of Addis Abeba, he stays in north Ethiopia in the Tigray region with his mom, due to his sisters job and her kids schooling in Addis Abeba , he’s with his mom, if all goes well in the future after we apply for I129f, he will come to U.S. and we will marry, and his sister and her family will move to stay with their mom.. 

[Cathi 5,610]

You still haven't clarified whether or not he is your boyfriend or your fiance'.

[Boiler 43,438]

Or what he does?

[geowrian 22,335]

12 minutes ago, Abrha said:

At this time he lives with his mom, his sister and her family live in the capital city of Addis Abeba, he stays in north Ethiopia in the Tigray region with his mom, due to his sisters job and her kids schooling in Addis Abeba , he’s with his mom, if all goes well in the future after we apply for I129f, he will come to U.S. and we will marry, and his sister and her family will move to stay with their mom.. 

Makes sense. But then realize it's not really a tie to return home since there is somebody else who can do it (and would actually be the ones to do it in the somewhat-near future).

[Abrha 2]

5 minutes ago, Cathi said:

You still haven't clarified whether or not he is your boyfriend or your fiance'.

Fiancé..sorry