Getting a Tourist Visa for a Woman to Come to the US

[2tallbill]

If you get into a relationship with a FSU girl, they will be suspicious of you and any girl between puberty and 70.  For example, do not have any pictures of any female (in your house, on your computer or phone) who is not related to you.

Or keep the pictures, and you will quickly learn how well you are able to deal with her anger.  (Or just smile and tell her how cute she is when she's mad.)

Exceptions for allowable photos of women.

A close relative, the Virgin Mary, Mother Theresa, your wife's family, Harriet Tubman,
Amelia Earhart, the Swiss bikini team.......................wait not that photo. 

[BillyB]

Okay, so are you guys suggesting that we build her a false itinerary (hotels, airline ticket, deposit enough $$$ into her bank account to be considered sufficient for two weeks spending money by the interviewer, etc.)? I can have her do that,

Do not buy tickets or make reservations at hotels. Our consulate recommends visa applicants not to do so as there are no guarantees they will get a visa.

what's the "story" that's going to increase her chances the most?

It's not so much the story that is most important but how story's told that is important. Remember your trips to the FSU and the planning you did? Remember how you Googled the cities you wanted to travel to and you figured out the sights to see and what to do? After you did that, if someone interviewed you on your plans, you will be able to tell them exactly what you want to do without hesitating. If D.C. is on the list, the interviewer may ask what monuments she want's to see. She better know the names of the monuments. She may be asked why the monuments are important to her. She may say she's interested in American history. If NY is on the list, she may say she wants to visit the famous Central Park, Time Square and the World Trade Center memorial in Manhattan. She may have in her hand print out of tours offered by tour agencies in America and show them to the interviewer. Have a printout of the hotel she'd like to stay in in each city. Tell her to dress like she's got money.

Honestly, this is just silly. I hate the fact that there needs to be a false "story" created. Honesty would be so much simpler, but I understand why it needs to be handled this way. Boy, I hope she's a good liar!

It doesn't have to be a lie if this will bother your or your lady's conscience. She can do everything she tells the interviewer she will do. Let's hope she gets to the Q & A part of the interview without getting rejected before the interview even starts.

[ML]

When I am helping someone get a visa to come to USA, I go about it like preparing someone to take an oral exam for some graduate program, professional certificate, etc.

We look at dozens of websites that discuss the various problems that previous applicants have faced.  Use google.

We look at the official USA websites for the USA Embassy that the applicant will visit.

I fill out the application online . . . don't let them do it.
Too easy to screw something up and display obvious red flags.  That's how many are rejected even before the Interview.

The applicant looks on websites at all the places they might visit, and comes up with short summaries, etc.

We come up with a list of potential questions that might be asked.

We come up with answers to all of these question.

Then, we use Skype and I have the person stand before their laptop (because they will be standing at the Embassy or Consulate) and answer the questions that I pose as the Interviewing officer.

We do this at least three times in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the Interview.

On the third time, I throw in questions that we haven't previously discussed, just to get the person thinking along those lines also.  If the person has been studying seriously, by this third go-around, they can usually respond pretty well to the unexpected question.

[LAman]

 
Short letter from anyone who is sponsoring (providing lodging etc).

 

 

Some tips:
Flight bookings - check conditions of booking, most airlines will reimburse in cases when a visa is refused.
Travel insurance is pretty cheap and widely available in RU
Credit card - after all how do you do anything without one in the US LOL
Application - review http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html  and http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-visaapply.asp  it's all done via the internet.  It can be somewhat frustrating especially with the picture upload.  I think 90+% of the decision is made before the interview based on the information in the application alone.

 

Worst thing you can do. If you read the US visa website they strongly recommend not to buy flight ticket before you obtain a visa.

*One time I did write a short letter I was sponsoring a girl, I was providing lodging and anything needed during her stay in USA and (she would not be a drain on the state)

[BC]

I fill out the application online . . . don't let them do it.
Too easy to screw something up and display obvious red flags.  That's how many are rejected even before the Interview.

Probably the biggest red flag is when a person in one country fills out the application for someone in another country  online and doesn't honestly answer the question:

Preparer of Application
Did anyone assist you in filling out this application?

the IP address is obviously recorded and can be used to geolocate.

[BC]

Worst thing you can do. If you read the US visa website they strongly recommend not to buy flight ticket before you obtain a visa.

The problem is that waiting to book can result in a much higher airfare or worse no more seats available. If you're planning way ahead ok.
When purchasing a ticket look for the rules for cancellations and penalties.  If you see something like below you'll probably be ok:

FULL REFUND PERMITTED BEFORE DEPARTURE IN CASE
OF REJECTION OF VISA. EMBASSY STATEMENT REQUIRED.

This is why I usually book over the phone with the airline directly and ask about the fare rules.  They often have cheaper rates than you'll find online anyway.

http://blog.kupibilet.ru/mozhno-li-kupit-aviabilet-bez-vizy/

[BC]

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/sample-usa-visa-rejection-letter.html

Some good info in here to review.

[ML]

Quote from: ML on April 09, 2016, 11:47:24 PM


    I fill out the application online . . . don't let them do it.
    Too easy to screw something up and display obvious red flags.  That's how many are rejected even before the Interview.

Probably the biggest red flag is when a person in one country fills out the application for someone in another country  online and doesn't honestly answer the question:

Preparer of Application
Did anyone assist you in filling out this application?

the IP address is obviously recorded and can be used to geolocate.

No . . . I wasn't precise enough with my original post.

I fill out the application on-line (checking with the applicant for info where necessary), but do not submit it.

The applicant then goes into the on-line application, looks it over, and submits from their home or work computer.

[BC]

Quote from: ML on April 09, 2016, 11:47:24 PM


    I fill out the application online . . . don't let them do it.
    Too easy to screw something up and display obvious red flags.  That's how many are rejected even before the Interview.


No . . . I wasn't precise enough with my original post.

I fill out the application on-line (checking with the applicant for info where necessary), but do not submit it.

The applicant then goes into the on-line application, looks it over, and submits from their home or work computer.

Yes I do recall being able to complete the various sections of the application and then later being able to log back in to complete the rest so maybe that's ok.

[ML]

Yes I do recall being able to complete the various sections of the application and then later being able to log back in to complete the rest so maybe that's ok.

Yes, for visa to USA, the application can be saved on-line before it is submitted.  It will stay there for quite some time before being deleted or some such.  When you SAVE, you get a reference number, so anyone can access it from anywhere . . . if they know the person's vitals and this reference number.

BC, when you post, it is never clear if you are talking about visas to USA or to Italy.  And for many other things you post it is not clear which is your reference country.  It would be helpful if you stipulated such . . . since you are a 'dual' (at least) person.  It's never even clear where you are located at times.

[mhr7]

Looks like I will have to deposit at least $1000 into my RW's account to help her get a visa. She told me that the US requires guests to have at least $65 per day to get a visa and despite having a decent job ( university professor ) she doesn't quite have enough money.

[ML]

Looks like I will have to deposit at least $1000 into my RW's account to help her get a visa. She told me that the US requires guests to have at least $65 per day to get a visa and despite having a decent job ( university professor ) she doesn't quite have enough money.

It varies from Embassy to Embassy (in different countries) but . . . generally they  are looking for long term money in the foreign person's bank account.  i.e. They will want to see 6-12 months of bank statements showing the money.

Reason: They well know that a person could get a loan from someone to show on a current bank statement, and then immediately pay back the loan after the visa was granted.

[mhr7]

It varies from Embassy to Embassy (in different countries) but . . . generally they  are looking for long term money in the foreign person's bank account.  i.e. They will want to see 6-12 months of bank statements showing the money.

Reason: They well know that a person could get a loan from someone to show on a current bank statement, and then immediately pay back the loan after the visa was granted.

True but she told me is only going to provide one bank statement to the embassy if she can get away with it. We'll see. TTB's woman apparently got away with only one statement after he gave her $3000, so I hope it will work for us.

[alex330]

Wife had lunch today with a well off Ukrainian family in Miami. They had just arrived on a tourist VISA from Odessa. She is pregnant with their third child. Tourist VISA was granted with the reason they wanted to give birth here in the US.


A side note for anyone who is worried about what their significant other from the FSU might do for work when they arrive. Well, it seems Russian and Ukrainian parents want their kids to go to a Russian speaking Kindergarten. The cost for one in Miami is 3k per month per child. Tiny little room. Easy to get certification here in Florida. Not more than 8 felonies and 4 child abuse cases on your record and good to go.


I imagine this would also work in cities like NY and LA....

[BC]

True but she told me is only going to provide one bank statement to the embassy if she can get away with it. We'll see. TTB's woman apparently got away with only one statement after he gave her $3000, so I hope it will work for us.

Over the years doing tourist visa applications for my wife, along with a recent bank statement I also submit the last couple years of local (not US) tax filings.  Also good idea is a copy of credit cards with last digits and security number blacked out.  Copy of travel insurance also good.

Of all the documents, they seem to show most interest in the tax returns.. just guessing that this provides a backup to employment history and income.

But yeah.. money in the bank counts a long way towards fulfilling the requirement of being able to support costs of the trip.  Probably best to tack on enough in the bank for airfare if you don't have a reservation already.

I've seen the following on Fare Rules Cancellation policy of many tickets I have bought:

BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY- FULL REFUND PERMITTED FOR TICKETS ISSUED AND ORIGINATING IN ITALY IN CASE OF REJECTION OF VISA. EMBASSY STATEMENT REQUIRED.

This depends on the airline policy of course so best to check and book with the airline directly or a good travel agent. 

Just FWIW and YMMV

[Gator]

Wife had lunch today with a well off Ukrainian family in Miami. They had just arrived on a tourist VISA from Odessa. She is pregnant with their third child. Tourist VISA was granted with the reason they wanted to give birth here in the US.

Are you serious?  I have heard about the administration's anchor baby program, but did not know it applied to all countries.

A side note for anyone who is worried about what their significant other from the FSU might do for work when they arrive. Well, it seems Russian and Ukrainian parents want their kids to go to a Russian speaking Kindergarten.

Is this good for the child.  It misses an opportunity to facilitate the child's language assimilation.  However, I recall my Dutch friends worrying when they overheard their three young kids playing in English, reflecting their schooling in English. 

Easy to get certification here in Florida. Not more than 8 felonies and 4 child abuse cases on your record and good to go.

Damn, the state has tightened its restrictions!

[alex330]

Are you serious?  I have heard about the administration's anchor baby program, but did not know it applied to all countries.

I could not believe it myself Gator. I knew women were flying over ready to pop from Moscow, but to use it as a valid reason for the VISA itself I had never heard before. They have already found a condo in Sunny Isles overlooking the ocean and are settling in. Interesting observation is that when Russians buy property from other Russians here the price is more than the market price my wife tells me. Another lucrative venture since condos start at 600k in that part of town...

Is this good for the child.  It misses an opportunity to facilitate the child's language assimilation.  However, I recall my Dutch friends worrying when they overheard their three young kids playing in English, reflecting their schooling in English. 

As Americans we think this a bad thing. My wife even mentioned this to them. We want our kids to be immersed and absorb as much as possible. My family moved overseas when we were young and we were tossed to the wolves in an international school. I am now bilingual and feel my parents made the right decision.

Their response to my wife is that they did not want to stress the children. As Americans we are taught that kids are resilient and sponges and can handle a new environment much better than adults at times.

The sad part is that the room for the children is tiny and that money could be better spent on other things for the family.