Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

ANY people are disappointed when they apply for a visitor’s visa, and are refused. They came with all the documents, such as bank statements, land titles, invitation letter, etc. They spent the days before the interview going to church to pray for visa approval. They have a legitimate reason for going to the US and have every intention of returning to the Philippines. So how come they were refused? How does a person increase his chances of getting a visitor’s visa?

Here are a few simple tips:

1. Tell the truth at your interview.

2. Make sure all of your documents are true, genuine, and legitimate. (As opposed to forged, altered, or counterfeit, or bought on Recto Street.)

3. Prove to the Consular Officer that you have "reasonably good and permanent employment, meaningful business or financial connections, close family ties, or social or cultural associations, which would indicate a strong inducement". In other words, prove you will return to the Philippines after you have visited the US, and you will not go "TNT".

There are two basic types of visitor’s visas:

1. Visitor for Pleasure. This means that a person is coming to the US for "legitimate activities of a recreational character, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature". In other words, you are coming to visit family or friends, Disneyland, etc.

2. Visitor for Business. This refers to "conventions, conferences, consultations, and other legitimate activities of a commercial or professional nature." This would include taking orders for goods manufactured abroad, negotiating contracts, consulting with business associates, etc.

Visitor visas do not allow a person to work in the US. So, do not think that once you arrive in the US you can start working. If the Consular Officer believes that your true intention in going to the US is to find work, this alone may be sufficient grounds to deny your visitor’s visa.

To be eligible for a visitor’s visa (whether for business or pleasure) you must prove to the

Consular Officer, among other things:

1. You have a residence in a foreign country (such as the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, etc.), which you have no intention of abandoning.