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."  



All original materials on this website (www.asawa.org, www.filipinawives.com) are copyrighted by the author, Bob Lingerfelt, 1997 -2007  with materials on file at the U.S. Copyright Office.  No reproduction is authorized, in any form, without express permission of the author.

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What is the #1 financial mistake of men who are new to Fil-West relationships?  They call the Philippines using their regular long distance carrier! 

Don't do it!  Please visit SpeedyPin, one of ASAWA's primary sponsors.  As most Fil-West couples already know, using a phone card can save you a lot  of money! 

 

Section I: Pre-Relationship Education

 

Fun Trivia About The Philippines

Philippine History In A Nutshell 

Religion

What's In A Name?

A List of Famous Filipinas

The American Romance

The "Average" Fil-West Couple

So You Want To Marry A Filipina

So You STILL Want To Marry…

Heaven Or Hell?

Mail Order Brides Fact & Fiction 

Correspondence Services

Legal Concerns

Age Differences

The Attack On Feminism

A Shortage Of Filipino Males?  

The Problem With Submission

City Vs. Province

Questions For Her

Questions For Him

Suggested Books

Midnight Sunshine, a novel

A Long Way to Go for a Date

Recommended Movies

 

Section II: Courtship

 

Your Travel Budget

Flying to the Philippines

What To Take To The Philippines

Travel Tips

Philippines Travel Guide

Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport

Security In The Philippines

Recommended Hotels

Social Situations

Learning To Communicate

Sex And Virginity

The Visitor's Visa

 

Section III: 

Engagement/

Marriage                       

                      

Taking Your Relationship Public

Expenses

Prenuptials

Annulments

So You Want an Annulment?

Wedding Costs In The Philippines

Marriage - Where and How

A Filipina Abandoned

"Separate But Equal"?

 

Section IV:

Immigration

 

Immigration Pointers

Proof Of Your Relationship

The Marriage Application

Fiancée Visa (K-1)

Spousal Visa (IR-1)

K1 & K3 Procedures

Evidence of Non-Immigrant Status (SSN)

Employment Authorization for Immigrants

St. Luke's Clinic

Immigration Numbers And Addresses

Minimum Income Requirements

 

Section V: 

Lifetime Issues

 

Health And Dental Issues

Filipina Transitions

Superstitions

Dealing With Intolerance

Tampo

Financial Support Of Relatives  

Sources of Conflict

Appendix:

 

Immigration Forms

Statistics

CIA Fact Sheet On The Philippines 

Map Of The Philippines

Electricity

Currency

Holidays

Name Structure

How To Send Money

How To Send Mail And Packages

Republic Act No. 6955

Family Code Of The Philippines

Terms And Acronyms

Filipino Communities

 

Guest Articles:

 

John's Story

Maligaya Means It

You May Be  Married to a Filipina if…

Imee

Weddings in the Philippines

The TownHouse Hotel, Manila