I don’t claim to be an expert, but I got myself 3 single entry visas and 1 mutiple entry VISA. I got my friend a multiple entry VISA after she had been denied twice the past 2 years. I got my dad and my son their first US Visas. And I got a bunch of people their VISAs under a group appointment. I am not a travel agent but I would like to share to you what I learned after all these experiences:
1. Young females, especially single young females automatically have a disadvantage.
2. Once you were already issued a US Visa (Single Entry) and you have used it, there is a good chance they will grant you another one (probably another single-entry if they still do not trust you).
3. Time your trip to coincide with a conference that is related to your field or your interest. For instance, if you are a real estate agent here, google real estate conferences or shows in the US and go to the US in time for these events.
4. It always helps if you are a student at the time of your VISA application. Although it is not a guarantee that you will get a US Visa.
5. During the interview, do not look nervous. Put it in your mind that it is not a life or death situation. Relax.
6. Organize your supporting documents well. I divided my documents in these categories:
A. Basic Documents
- Passport, Application Fee Receipt, DS156, DS157, Photo, Birth certificate, Consent to Trave (for minors), Marriage Certificate
See US Embassy Guidelines.
B. Documents showing Reason to Travel
- Invitation Letter for Conferences or meeting
- Very Detailed (if possible, daily) itinerary, Hotel Bookings, List of Places to Visit
- Printout of the conference or meeting webpage and conference schedule
- Membership of local clubs related to the conference you are attending. For instance, if you are attending a Rotary International Conference, you must show that you have been a Rotarian for at least several months.
C. Documents showing ties to the Philippines
a. Financial Ties - Bank records, documents showing your assets, ITR
b. School/Career Ties- Certificate of employment or certificate from the school you are attending.
These certificates should show how long you have been studying or working. If you have good salary and if you have a high position, indicate it in your certificate of employment.
If you are an enterpreneur or businessman, bring all the important corporate documents (SEC Registration, ITR, etc) to prove that you have a legitimate, thriving business and that you have a big responsibility in your company.
c. Family Ties - Marriage certificate or birth certificate of your children
This should show that you need to come back to the Philippines right after your trip because nobody can take care of your children while you are away. This will assuage the fears of the consul that you will be a TNT since there is nobody at home left to take care of your family.
There is no guarantee in getting a US Visa. The interviewers are just people and documents can only tell so much. I will advise that you present yourself and your purpose the best and most-organized way possible. And most importantly. be as honest and transparent as you can be.
Good luck and I hope this post helps.
Here is the follow-up post: Tips on Getting a US Tourist Non-Immigrant Visa – B1 and B2
29 comments
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June 13, 2007 at 11:06 am
jillsabs
this is very helpful, particularly the part about looking for a conference and timing your trip with that
thanks lory!
June 25, 2007 at 1:52 pm
ofel808
no problem jill.. my pleasure =)
September 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Claudia
Hello Lory!
Im Claudia from Mexico, i tried to get my USA visa and they denied cause they said i have not family stability, although i have a real state business by my self, i owe 2 houses, a car, etc and i proove i have enough money to come back, they said cause i live alone and my family live in another city (2hrs away from where i live).
Do you have any advice about how long should i wait before i ask for it again and what should i say next time?
I would really apprecciate.
Thanks!
Claudia
September 10, 2008 at 11:38 pm
ofel808
Hi Claudia. Can you send me your email address so I can reply to your questions there? Thanks.
September 12, 2008 at 6:47 am
Esther
Im just wondering why it will be a disadvantage for single woman like me?
September 15, 2008 at 4:24 am
ofel808
Well, I guess the US has a record of single women and men who originally applied for US tourist visas then overstayed. Others maintain their non-valid US status and look for work under the radar while others legitimize their stay by shifting to another visa category – h1B, student or get a green card through marriage. That is why the US is wary of giving visas to young single people who do not have enough ties to their home country.
We have to prove to them that we have a legtimate reason for visit their country and we have a something substantial to come back home for in our own country.
October 2, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Leah
Hi,
Could you give me some tips on how to overcome “young women” being denied for US Visa?
TNX!
Liyah
October 20, 2008 at 7:52 am
marie
I have a business, I am a teacher and a nurse. I wanted to attend a seminar but the consul denied me. I was already denied twice. I have VERY STRONG ties of returning because my teaching job and my business in Manila is lucrative. My elderly parents are living with me. The consuls did not even bother look at my documents
October 22, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Vesper
Hi!
i’m 26 years old, a second courser, i’m currently taking nursing right now, i’m single, i live with my parents, and i’m applying for a tourist visa. planning to spend christmas and new year in the US for 2 weeks just before i go back to school after the holidays. my parents will take care of my expenses. i’m going to stay with a family friend there. she asked me if i want to see america just before her o-visa expires next year. i don’t have relatives in US. What do you think are my chances?
Tnx!
September 27, 2009 at 5:33 am
mae
Hi vesper… how did ur application go? we kinda have the same situation but i am already finished studying… what happened? please reply.
November 12, 2008 at 7:24 am
Sammy
have confidence and determination, dont worry that you are single, even single girls do get visas. wishing you all the best
February 6, 2009 at 11:13 am
bibo
can u give me your email if u dont mind
February 10, 2009 at 11:53 am
marva
hi, i am planning to visit the usa i am 50 years does this increase my chance of getting a visa?
February 12, 2009 at 2:45 pm
sara
Hello My friend British born citizen had over stay in USA in 1997 few months , since than all time when he try to get in he has a problem no body tells him what to do until his last try in feb 2009 border officer told him that he needs B1 or B2 visa. How he can get one from where and is any guaranty he will get on and what is the fee .can u help me pls
February 19, 2009 at 2:40 pm
mel
hi..my husband is already a Legal Permanent Resident & my son & I are jst waiting for our petition to be granted.We applied for a B-1 visa last October but were denied even for single-entry.I applied together w/my 3yr old son. The consul said, “given the chance that your husband is already there & you’re bringing along your only son w/u, you won’t have any reason to go back to the phil.” I explained to him, it isn’t true because we’ll jst go there to celebrate Christmas w/my husband.
Anyway, do you think, it could have helped if I jst applied for myself first? I mean, if & when my visa has been accepted, that’s just my queue to apply for a visa for my kid..
Thanks..
February 19, 2009 at 2:44 pm
mel
ooopss.. my bad.. the visa we applied for was for pleasure/visit.. not the B-1 visa, i suppose
March 17, 2009 at 1:29 am
james hann
My mom and my sister were approved of US visa last Feb. 12, 2009. But we just got the passport and visa of my mom after a monthe March 13. Unfortunately my sister’s passport and visa is not yet release. We already sent a follow up by e-mail. One week already since we e-mail the embassy. No response from them. I already book their tour in West Coast on April 4. What will I do now now? thanks!
March 17, 2009 at 8:58 pm
ofel808
Your mom and sister applied for the visa together? – well, theoretically they should get ther visa and passport together. Sometimes contacting the US embassy depends on the country where the embassy and consulate are located. In the Philippines, I call the US Embassy’s call center and one time when I had some document rushed, I faxed them a form and I got a reply like away.
April 18, 2009 at 2:43 am
andrei
i am a nurse, one of my colleagues was denied because she is a nurse,, what advice can u give me so that a i can have a better chance of having a visa.. thanks
April 27, 2009 at 5:57 am
Joanah
I am a separated mother with two son’s a 12 yo and 8 yo. I have been issued a b1/b2 visa in the year 2007 and have been attending annual conferences and seminars in the US. The next meeting will be on October this year which will be in Orlando, Florida. I would like to apply a visa for my 2 kids as I figure it will be a good chance to bring them to disneyland in Orlando. My tentative travel plans is spending 4 days for the whole conference and another 4 days to tour disneyland. Would you know what interview questions will they ask my children? and what are the chances that they will be granted a b2 visa? thank you so much!
June 18, 2009 at 1:33 pm
SHAMAR
HEY, IM A 20 YEAR OLD RECEPTIONIST AS WELL AS ATTENDING SCHOOL. I JHAVE NEVERTRAVELED BEFORE HOWEVER WILL BE APPLYING FOR MY US VISA IN A FEW DAYS. WHAT DO U THINK MY ODDS ARE TO BR GRANTED TIS OPPORTUNITY. I DO HAVE RELATIVES LIVING THERE BUT I DONT WISH TO LIVE JUST TO VISIT. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS??
July 10, 2009 at 6:30 am
cyrile A. Sioson
Hi. I applied for a nonimmigrant visa last wednesday july 8 2009 unfortunately i got denied.It was so sad for me because i really wanted to go the US to see my father who is sick and that’s the same reason i gave to the consul. My parents are us citizen and so as my three sisters. I pressumed that i gave them strong ties of coming back to the phils. since i’ll be travelling alone and i’ll be leaving my husband and my two little girls for a month.Besides, I’m a dentist and i’m liable to my patient if i don’t come back to finish my treatment on them.Please help me with my case.I badly need your advise.Im depressed and I really want to see my father soon. Thanks
July 13, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Jenny
Hi, I have plans of applying for a tourist visa. I’m a registered nurse by profession but I’m currently working as A Claim Specialist (home based). I’m 24 years old, single.I don’t have any pending petition, I just really really really wanted to see Universal Studios =(. My dad had US visa, he’s been travelling in different countries for 30years due to hisi work (Chef Manager/Seaman) and I am planning to include him when I apply. DO you think it would help? what do you think are my chances? I’ve heard some rumors that the US embassy discriminates Nurses? pls. help! thanks!
July 17, 2009 at 5:24 am
han
hi, my husband’s mothe ris a US citizen and so his youngest brother. my husband’s petition was filed in 1998, we got married and two kids. The petition has changed. i know its a long wait. The applicaiton for addtional dependents wa approved in 2008. My concern is would that change the year of the application from 1998 ?
Further, my husband’s planning to get a tourist visa. would that be okey, considering that we have still penidng petition ?
Thank you.
August 5, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Hubert
Hello, i’m a student in Singapore who is on scholarship for 3years fully paid and i plan on going to the usa to visit my family friend for 1 week.
I will be goin for my visa appointment next week tuesday.
I have about SGD 4000 and i am the one sponsoring my trip but on the invitation letter my friend sent he wrote that he will cover my expenses if need be. He refused to send me his account statement because he said it was too risky. although he sent me one page with $10,000 and the account number concealed.
Is this enough to get my visa? Are there any other things i need to do.
August 26, 2009 at 6:12 am
raji
hai cladia,
my closest sister’s daughter resides at CA, i wish to see her at once and two kids . i have upcoming business and my family stay ’s here . i wish to see few place s of US . i got one rejection my last month . But i did’nt lost my hope .
before proceeding to the interview i wish to recieve any similiar process got sucess.
September 27, 2009 at 5:32 am
mae
Hi Ms Claudia,
My Dad, stepmom and I are planning to apply for a US visa this October 2009. I am anxious about it because i really want to get a visa. But the the thing is I am 22 yrs old and I am nurse. What should I do? do u have any tips for me Ms Claudia? Thanks for posting this entry. It is very helpful.
Best Regards.
October 14, 2009 at 4:09 pm
PABLO REYES
My uncle, Javier age 73, from Mexico, is a US citizen. He is in a hospice Alzheimer care home in Colorado and is no longer doing well. My aunt his sister, age 62, in Mexico has her Mexican passport tried to get a visa to visit him before he passes. She was denied by the US because they said, “she be a workforce flight risk”. She has no desire to stay and join the workforce in her twilight years. She would just like to see her brother before he passes.
My question – Is there anything we can do to get permission to visit five days?
Your help would be appreciated in this matter
October 24, 2009 at 5:14 am
mitz
My parents got a multiple entry for a US non-immigrant tourist visa. They can stay in the US for a maximum of 6 months per entry. How long do they need to stay in the Philippines after coming back there before they can come back to the US again? thanks.