Tourist Visa to USA from Ukraine?

[XMan]

A crazy, wired, roller coaster day in Ukraine.  Can't sleep, so posting a question.

In the past I know tourist Visas were notoriously difficult. 
Here's the situation. 
Divorced woman, 7 year old daughter, owns an apartment, owns a car.

1) Can she get a tourist visa to USA?
2) Must she leave daughter behind, or bring her (and does either one affect Visa likelihood)?
3) If it fails, and the only opportunity is Fiance Visa, does a tourist attempt impact the outcome of the Fiance Visa?

Not sure how she would feel about coming alone.  But it would certainly be helpful (assuming things continue to go well) if she could come for 10 days or something.  At least I think it would be helpful.  Who knows.

Last question -- is any of this written in stone?  I mean, how does one know whether or not to attempt it?
Thanks.

[GregfromGa]

It's not nearly as tough as it used to be. Does the lady have a job? And yes I would think it would be easier if she left the kid with babushka. It'll cost about $110 or more to roll the dice and see.

[Vaughn]

Not sure how she would feel about coming alone. 

There's your very first step. I agree leaving the child home would best serve her
chances of approval. She'll have to demonstrate sincere intent to return in a timely
manner through familial, cultural and financial ties to Ukraine. The seven year old
girl would certainly lend evidence to the first group.

I do not believe a failed tourist visa bid in itself would affect a K-1 attempt.

[XMan]

Thanks.

Two jobs.  Microbiologist (works in a medical lab).  And makeup work for weddings. 

I'd feel a heck of a lot better taking this step before the enormous leap to fiance visa.

[GregfromGa]

Leave the kid and apply for the visa.

[ECOCKS]

A lot depends on what V mentioned, successfully showing intent to return. This can be demonstrated by a good travel record in and out of other countries, especially those which require a real visa, unlike Turkey and Egypt which have ones you buy at the airports. Schengen visas seem to be well-regarded since they can guess if you didn't go underground in Poland (etc.) you might not in the US.

Having the RT ticket doesn't hurt and a letter from your employer showing the details of your job and mentioning your length of employment. Despite claims of showing property documents and bank statements these are not taken very seriously and simple statements regarding property will do as well as bringing their equivalent of titles.

I agree on leaving the child behind and mentioning in the cover letter.

Write your letter carefully and avoid silly statements. Guys bluster that they'll threaten with their Representatives or Senators, offer to put up bonds and such which does nothing for her credibility.

Oh, and they do regard age and age gap as a red flag.

[JR]

Sounds like things are going well for you X. Good to hear it. I think leaving the kid behind will be just about all you'll need but the rest can't hurt. Have you considered booking a tour to got her here? I have heard it can work for a tourist visa.

[UTRO]

You simply never know what the particular Visa Officer handling your case will do.

As GregfromGA said, "roll the dice and see".   

[Simoni]

In the past, this would have been helpless.  But times they are a changing, as BD says.

Since she owns an apartment, has a job, and will leave a child behind, I think she may have a chance.  But I think Jolly makes a good point with his "book a tour" comment.

But my bigger question is, why is it so important to have her in the US for 10 days?  My wife was never here in advance, and that is true of virtually all the married guys here.  I'd suggest you meet her in Paris or Spain or Prague for 10 days, instead.  She can get that visa.

[XMan]

Concerning why USA, I'd like to have her see exactly how I live. 
I want no room for error, at least about that particular topic. 

I'm not clear on the "tour."  So if someone can enlighten me, it would be much appreciated. 

Sounds like things are going well for you X. Good to hear it. I think leaving the kid behind will be just about all you'll need but the rest can't hurt. Have you considered booking a tour to got her here? I have heard it can work for a tourist visa.

Yesterday was unique, shall we say.  Started off (after a large-scale misunderstanding that is difficult to explain) with me saying that I think we should end our communication.  The towel was already in my hand, and I was ready to throw it in.  After a discussion with an interpreter, it actually resulted in making things better than they had been previously.  Very nice evening with her parents and daughter, another holiday celebration thing.  I haven't gotten back to the TR.  Was still digesting things and trying to figure it out, frankly.  I may type a bit there now.

[Gylden]

I think I understand the USA thing. I was the same way, my thought was to get my wife as much time in the reality of the situation (what would be her potential environment) as much as possible. In fact as I posted before, I never went to the FSU until after we were married for 4 years. This option is of course not available to everyone, but IMO can be very good for her to make a better decision. In the end I believe it helped a great deal.

[Shadow]

If she will apply for a tourist visa, getting a ' tour packeage'  meaning that it includes flight and a place to stay will be the easiest. She will have to have funds to pay for it, and reasons to return.
?Regarind the child, its a bit of a catch. If she does not take her, the officer can get a strange feeling as to why a single woman would go on holiday to the US and not take her daughter. If she does try, it should be in a holiday time but it will be a higher ' risk'  for not returning.
As for the possibility, those who can afford it and do not pose a public risk or risk of illegal immigration will receive one. However it is still up to the officer who handles it on how the risk it determined.

If you go for it, have a backup plan to meet somewhere in case the visa is not granted.

[XMan]

Recommend contact for a "tour package?"
Thanks.

[RussianWind]

Hey XMan I didn't understand anything but will knock on wood just in case  

[XMan]

Hey XMan I didn't understand anything but will knock on wood just in case 

I am not sure I have or ever will understand anything. 
Knock on wood, burn some incense, chant the FSU love mantra, throw salt over your left shoulder, and don't break any mirrors.  You may as well throw in some prayer and an Asiago bagel (I like those). 

 

[JR]

Recommend contact for a "tour package?"
Thanks.

Probably best to have her look into it from her end at a travel agency. I would think something like a bus tour of NY and or DC would be the ticket.

[RussianWind]

I am not sure I have or ever will understand anything. 

When you meet the right one, you will have no doubts.
I think you have drown a picture of an ideal woman in your head but it's not easy to meet this ideal in reality. There are lot of educated smart brilliant interesting women in the world but they are not nesessary professors. They were not interested in this field because it's the worst paid job in the FSU. Why did you decide that you would be happy only with a woman of certain academic level? Is it something about your own status. You will search forver, my friend 

[Shostakovich]

Here's the Shosty take:

From the photos, are all datable.  For me 30- is too young.  9 & 10 girls are generally not worth the trouble.  7+ is what I aim for and they all pass muster.  8 is the sweet spot.  Next consideration: English.  Am currently writing to a couple gals with 2/5 English but think the ones with 4/5 5/5 will carry the day.  I've a strong feeling that a translator is just too much tedium.  Next consideration: Education.  No dice unless a Univ. edu.  Next consideration: kids - It's true, it carries negative points.  Next consideration: morality - no abortions.  Personality: Intuitive dominant feeling types only - there goes 85% -- Oh well.  I get that figured in 1 or 2 letters.  Still allot to choose from & I can't afford to write to all.

[XMan]

When you meet the right one, you will have no doubts.
I think you have drown a picture of an ideal woman in your head but it's not easy to meet this ideal in reality. There are lot of educated smart brilliant interesting women in the world but they are not nesessary professors. They were not interested in this field because it's the worst paid job in the FSU. Why did you decide that you would be happy only with a woman of certain academic level? Is it something about your own status. You will search forver, my friend 

About knowing when I have met the right one, I hope you are right. 
I am beginning to wonder if I would recognize her if she walked up to me carrying a big flashing sign.

I am seriously thinking about what you have written. 

It's not that she must be a university professor. 
I've known a number of them who couldn't find their posteriors with both hands (male professors in particular). 
It just seemed more likely that I would have something in common with a woman working in that field. 
What I have found thus far is that it is not the case. 
If I loved the beach or going to the opera, then I would look for a woman who liked that too.  I don't see those things as any different. 

I don't know that I have an ideal woman.  Maybe I did at one point. 
I have written a fairly wide variety, including waitresses, doctors, former ballerina, professional interpreter, former gymnist, bank teller, shop clerk, microbiologist, etc.  I have not written any professional politicians.  That may be the only category. 

She has to be between 5'5" and 6'0' and not overweight (I lowered it from 5'7" to 5'5"). 
I would say moderately attractive or better.
She can't be a moron. 
She must have a sense of humor. 
She must be able to discuss problems in a logical fashion (this eliminates more women than I once thought) without things devolving into a pointless quarrel.
Honesty.
Sincerity.
Femininity.
Tenderness.
Kindness.

I may be leaving some things out, but those are key. 

When I think "ideal woman," I think of it as much more restrictive. 
Red hair, 5'8", 135 pounds, hourglass figure, sings like an Karen Carpenter (when she wasn't dead),fries potatoes like my mom used to, plays piano, knows how to use a trowel, has an eye for interior decorating, is ambidextrous, and says I love you every day and means it. 

[Simoni]

She has to be between 5'5" and 6'0' and not overweight (I lowered it from 5'7" to 5'5"). 
I would say moderately attractive or better.
 
She must be able to discuss problems in a logical fashion (this eliminates more women than I once thought) without things devolving into a pointless quarrel.

XMan, I can't help but resond to these two items on your must have list.

1) I'd kindly suggest that height does not matter, and it's rather silly to say your girl must be 5'5" or taller    You are leaving out a lot of 5'4" sweethearts!  You better be more concerned with personality.

2)  You are searching in the wrong country if you want to avoid pointless quarrels 
RW are notorious for being stubborn and never yielding!  They are never ever wrong about anything, so you'll just have to say yes dear or engage in a pointless quarrel.

[myrddin]

Just one little correction here...

  W are notorious for being stubborn and never yielding!  They are never ever wrong about anything, so you'll just have to say yes dear or engage in a pointless quarrel.

It had to be said   

[tfcrew]

USA State Dept...still the most critically, politically, discriminating agency there is.

 Ms Clinton et all moving mountains to bring in squads of Haitian orphans.. waivering visas to become wards of the state.

Want to know who is overstaying their visa lately?

I did.......
 

June 14, 2006

Many immigrants who are in the United States illegally never jumped a fence, hiked through the desert or paid anyone to help them sneak into the country. According to a recent study, 45 percent of illegal immigrants came here on a legal visa, and then overstayed that visa. NPR's Ted Robbins reports on the massive visa overstay problem and what the federal government is doing to deal with this aspect of the illegal immigrant issue.

 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5485917

That was in 06
Back to the Pew estimate. Researchers at Pew say they took the 1997 government report and tried to apply it to 2005, with a few minor modifications. Pew concluded that of the then 11.5 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, 4.5 million to 6 million entered the country legally. Researchers admit it's an estimate. (The overall number of illegal residents also is an estimate, it's worth noting. According to USA Today, the department estimates the number of illegal residents by subtracting the number of foreign-born people who are in the United States legally from the Census estimate of the total foreign-born population. The most recent estimate, from January 2009, puts the number of illegal residents at about 11.6 million.)

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/jan/18/marco-rubio/fla-republican-rubio-says-close-half-illegal-immig/

[XMan]

XMan, I can't help but resond to these two items on your must have list.

1) I'd kindly suggest that height does not matter, and it's rather silly to say your girl must be 5'5" or taller    You are leaving out a lot of 5'4" sweethearts!  You better be more concerned with personality.

2)  You are searching in the wrong country if you want to avoid pointless quarrels 
RW are notorious for being stubborn and never yielding!  They are never ever wrong about anything, so you'll just have to say yes dear or engage in a pointless quarrel.

I understand your point on #1.  But height matters (at least to me). 
I don't like towering over a short woman.  Too awkward.  I've tried it.  I'll let the other tall guys that are OK with it (or not so tall guys that are OK with it, for that matter) take the sub 5'5" sweethearts.  Just say it's my way of reducing the competition for hot, compact FSU women by 1 guy (me). 

I hope the generalization on #2 is not 100% accurate, or that UW are less stubborn than RW.  But frankly, the AW who destroyed my life was the most stubborn person to walk the Earth in the past 40 years.  OK, I don't have proof of that, but it certainly felt like it.   

[RussianWind]

A STUDENT has taken a mathematical equation that predicts the possibility of alien life in the universe to explain why he can't find a girlfriend.

Peter Backus, a native of Seattle and PhD candidate in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, near London, took on his own dating woes in "Why I don't have a girlfriend: An application of the Drake Equation to love in the UK."

In describing the paper online, he wrote "the results are not encouraging", MyFox reports.

"The probability of finding love in the UK is only about 100 times better than the probability of finding intelligent life in our galaxy."


Mr Backus, 30, found that of the 30 million women in the UK, only 26 would be suitable girlfriends for him.

His equation looked at the total number of women in the country, then narrowed it down using relevant factors including the number of women in London; the number of "age-appropriate" women (those aged between 24-34); women with a college degree; and those who Mr Backus would find physically attractive.

In the paper Mr Backus summarized that on a given night out in London there is a 0.0000034 per cent chance of meeting a woman that meets his criteria and who is also interested in him.

That makes his odds of finding a girlfriend only about 100 times better than finding an alien.
========

He should look in the FSU
 

[remiel6]

 

That's funny, talk about spending too much time thinking about things.

Hey whats that under my bed?