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The Holy Grail
(aka, the Visitor's
Visa) One of the most common questions
I hear is, "Why don't I just have my girlfriend/fiancée visit me here in
the States instead of me flying to the Philippines?" Not far behind is,
"I miss my girlfriend/wife, can I fly her over for a visit while we're waiting
for the immigration paperwork to clear?" I wish it were so easy. Like
the Holy Grail of the King Arthur Legend, a Visitor’s Visa for a Filipino
is an item that many seek but few obtain. The fact is, rightly or wrongly,
your "average" Filipino is considered a grave flight risk. It is presumed
that the overwhelming majority of Filipinos who obtained a Visitor's Visa
and flew to the States would never get back on the plane to fly home. Of
course, Filipinos are not singled out, the same applies to Mexicans, for
example, as well as persons of other nationalities. Just how hard it is to get
a Visitor's Visa is illustrated by a recent incident involving an extremely
popular Filipino singer, Regina Velasquez. It appears that one of her backup
singers or crew tried to obtain such a visa through trickery, and the U.S.
Embassy, ever diligent, found the unnamed woman out. As a result, not only
the perpetrator, but Regina Velasquez herself and her whole entourage are
now being denied a Visitor's Visa. Which means that her concerts all over
the U.S. are being canceled. Sold out concerts. Ouch. Serious business.
The Philippine Star covered
this incident and used it as an opportunity to remind seekers of a Visitor's
Visa what the requirements are and how to improve your chances of getting
one. I think that the average Filipina will find it impossible to meet
the requirements (as experience tells us), but for those of you who are
still toying with the idea of a Visitor's Visa, here's the recommendations
in the article: * Tell the truth during the
interview with the Consul * Make sure your documents
are true, genuine and legitimate (no fake birth certificates, tax returns,
etc.; the US Embassy is wise to the "tricks" and "creativity" of some people) * Prove that you have a reasonably
good and permanent employment, meaningful business or financial connections,
close family ties or social/cultural associations which would indicate a
strong "inducement" for you to return to your home country * Residence in your home country
which you have no intention of abandoning * Intention to enter the US
for a brief period of time as a "visitor for business" (B-1 visa) or "visitor
for pleasure" (B-2 visa), and not to work or turn into a TNT (Tago Nang
Tago) * Have adequate financial arrangements
for trip (must prove that you can support yourself while in US without having
to work), and * Must have specific and realistic
plans for trip (where you're going and where you're staying) The same knowledgeable source
is also giving the following pointers on "preparing for the Consular Interview": * Like in a job interview or
a trial, present evidence and testimony * Dress appropriately * Bring all relevant documents
(should be well-organized and easy to find) * Listen to the questions * Make sure you understand
the questions * Answer questions truthfully * Answer questions being asked;
know when to stop talking * Don't guess; if you don't
know the answer, say so; if you don't remember the answer, say so, too * Be calm and courteous to
the Consul. Our friend Don Mac (http://www.pcmagic.net/donmac)
contacted me to add this comment: "We just had a big week-long celebration
here in Cerritos for our home town. People came from all over the States
and Canada to join the "Tigum Valencianhon." We invited the former Mayor
of the town who is now a Provincial Kagawad, and a very wealthy Doctor,
to join us. She could not obtain a Tourist Visa, but the family of a commercial
fishing company could. Not easy to get." |
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