How hard is it to get your Filipina girl a US Tourist Visa?

[Winston]

Tips for passing the interview for US Tourist Visa for Filipino applicants:

https://filipiknow.net/us-visa-interview/

https://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/969-tips ... rview.html

https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... on-answer/

https://www.immihelp.com/experience/vie ... 2visa.html

[Winston]

For Filipinos who want to work in the US legally on a J1 work and travel visa program, here are links and guides to getting it.

https://mrandmrshowe.com/lifestyle-blog ... n-filipino

https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmig ... #collapse5

https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/

https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/h ... =&x=14&y=8

https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel

https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/au-pair

[Winston]

Update:

Dianne's interview tanked and was an utter disappointment, as well as a ripoff. They were only given 2 min by the mean lady interviewer and NOT even allowed to speak or present their evidence/documents that show that they have a life in the PH and likely to return back home and not overstay in the US! See here for details: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=40447

[hypermak]

Update:

Dianne's interview tanked and was an utter disappointment, as well as a ripoff. They were only given 2 min by the mean lady interviewer and NOT even allowed to speak or present their evidence/documents that show that they have a life in the PH and likely to return back home and not overstay in the US! See here for details: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=40447

@Winston are you married to Dianne? If not, what might have played against her is that she is not your wife and you can only be her sponsor, even if you're the father of her child.

Also, does she have a stable job over here? I know that the best way to show the embassy that, as a Filipino, you are meant to be back, is a letter of employment from your employer stating the role, employment and even salary, and the fact that you are taking a holidays or even a sabbatical between such and such dates.

[Winston]

Update:

Dianne's interview tanked and was an utter disappointment, as well as a ripoff. They were only given 2 min by the mean lady interviewer and NOT even allowed to speak or present their evidence/documents that show that they have a life in the PH and likely to return back home and not overstay in the US! See here for details: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=40447

@Winston are you married to Dianne? If not, what might have played against her is that she is not your wife and you can only be her sponsor, even if you're the father of her child.

Also, does she have a stable job over here? I know that the best way to show the embassy that, as a Filipino, you are meant to be back, is a letter of employment from your employer stating the role, employment and even salary, and the fact that you are taking a holidays or even a sabbatical between such and such dates.

No I am not. Well how would she show a letter of employment? The interviewer lady refused to see anything and told her not to speak unless spoken to. However, the application did contain forms to mention her employment. I guess you have to have a high paying job for years or something.

[hypermak]

No I am not. Well how would she show a letter of employment? The interviewer lady refused to see anything and told her not to speak unless spoken to. However, the application did contain forms to mention her employment. I guess you have to have a high paying job for years or something.

I know the cases of a few Filipinos in my chef team who went over to Europe (2 to Paris, 1 to Prague and 1 to near Rome). They all had to have the franchise company's employment letter, stating that they were entering Europe to do specialised training and they would be back to their job by the specified date.

This is documentation that should be attached to the application, not brought on the day of the interview. Embassy interviews are famously short.

[Winston]

No I am not. Well how would she show a letter of employment? The interviewer lady refused to see anything and told her not to speak unless spoken to. However, the application did contain forms to mention her employment. I guess you have to have a high paying job for years or something.

I know the cases of a few Filipinos in my chef team who went over to Europe (2 to Paris, 1 to Prague and 1 to near Rome). They all had to have the franchise company's employment letter, stating that they were entering Europe to do specialised training and they would be back to their job by the specified date.

This is documentation that should be attached to the application, not brought on the day of the interview. Embassy interviews are famously short.

You don't understand. This was an online application. Not paper one. There was no way to attach anything to it, otherwise I would have of course. See here: https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx

The European Schenegan visa is easier to get than the US tourist visa. It just requires paperwork and money in her bank account. A travel agency could get her the European tourist visa for a price. We already investigated that option, but that would be for touring Europe, not America.

[MrMan]

90-Day Fiance has advertized in this forum. If it were easy to get girlfriends tourist visas, how would that shot '90-Day Fiance' stay on the air? The men, or women, go for those visas where they have 90 days to marry...probably...because they can actually get those visas. If they could realistically get them a decent tourist visa without having to marry in 90 days, they probably would go for that option.

I got my wife a tourist visa in 1999. We were engaged to be married in Jakarta right before the trip. I am not sure what we showed them. Maybe we'd paid for the venue or whatever. We were both young and they might have thought that I looked good enough for a pretty young woman like that to want to marry me and not just ditch me for a job at a Chinese restaurant when we hit the ground. I worked in ESL and my salary was not huge but it was enmormous for Jakarta standards at the time. But this was pre-9/11. If we'd married now instead of then, I might have had to not mention the Jakarta wedding, apply for a 90 day visa, and get legally married in the US, too or something like that.

I heard, several years ago, that the embassies in a lot of countries are very restrictive in giving out visas for people between the ages of 16 and 60 something-- years when people work. There are a lot of foreigners from certain countries who do not return when the visa expires. The wages are so much higher in the US. If a Filippina or Indonesian could violate the visa and get a job working in a Chinese restaurant for $1800 a month, a shared apartment with other employees, and free Chinese food, under the table and tax free, that is a lot of money to send home to mom and dad and to save to start a business in the FIlippines later. They may get paid more than that. It's just such a big temptation when you compare how much service jobs pay in those developing countries.

I think they do give out the visas more to the wealthy, since working illegally does not appeal to them.

For those kind of in the middle, I wonder if it would help if they invest in a US LLC that actually makes some money. Even if it does not make them wealthy, I wonder if it just presents a legitimate reason to go to the US for business purposes and support a foreign investment in the US economy (with time and attention) if that would make a compelling case. If it is a different category of visa, the rules might be different.

[Winston]

Question: This Filipino girl in her blog sounded like she passed the tourist visa interview quite easily. She gives the impression that the interview isn't that hard to pass. Do any of you know how and why she passed? I don't think it was just because she dressed well and acted confident and smiled and looked professional right? She must have showed "strong ties" to her country that would make her return to it. But how exactly? Any idea?

https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... filipinos/
https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... on-answer/

[Spencer]

Question: This Filipino girl in her blog sounded like she passed the tourist visa interview quite easily. She gives the impression that the interview isn't that hard to pass. Do any of you know how and why she passed? I don't think it was just because she dressed well and acted confident and smiled and looked professional right? She must have showed "strong ties" to her country that would make her return to it. But how exactly? Any idea?

https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... filipinos/
https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... on-answer/

Dear wiseton truth is paperpusher burrat man embasy look 100s person eachday everydaay ask self is girl poverty slumgirl or poverty provincegirl or is prostitutiongirl for all these most get fast reject but if he feeling girl hi educate or serious long job and most important does girl seem have status maybe he say yes and all case embasy burat make speedy gonzales choose because see so so many case in day

what is diane in person and does speak nice qualities english does have tatoo does have long job many year

why bring momy why not go lone ranger

[Yohan]

The European Schenegan visa is easier to get than the US tourist visa. It just requires paperwork and money in her bank account. A travel agency could get her the European tourist visa for a price. We already investigated that option, but that would be for touring Europe, not America.

It's getting difficult everywhere.

No question about it, that Schengen Visa valid for many countries in Europe is still much easier to get than an US-tourist visa.
Treatment of applicants in EU consulates for sure is much better than in USA.

Not only USA, but UK applications are costly too and often refused, Canada is also not so easy however and time consuming, and Australia is also not known to be tourist-visa friendly.

Japan is also very picky, claiming that about the half of all applications from certain countries are nothing but fakes, true or not...
However the big difference is that Japan will never charge you any fee until your application is approved and stamped in your passport.

[Winston]

The European Schenegan visa is easier to get than the US tourist visa. It just requires paperwork and money in her bank account. A travel agency could get her the European tourist visa for a price. We already investigated that option, but that would be for touring Europe, not America.

It's getting difficult everywhere.

No question about it, that Schengen Visa valid for many countries in Europe is still much easier to get than an US-tourist visa.
Treatment of applicants in EU consulates for sure is much better than in USA.

Not only USA, but UK applications are costly too and often refused, Canada is also not so easy however and time consuming, and Australia is also not known to be tourist-visa friendly.

Japan is also very picky, claiming that about the half of all applications from certain countries are nothing but fakes, true or not...
However the big difference is that Japan will never charge you any fee until your application is approved and stamped in your passport.

But when I went to a travel agency in Angeles City in my hotel, they told me that the Japan tourist visa was easy to get, almost guaranteed, as long as you fill out the paperwork. All I had to do was pay them a fee to fill out the paperwork for me, and there's a very good chance it will be approved by the Japanese embassy. So that wasn't a problem.

The Schenegen visa they said, would be more tedious and require her to have a bank account with sufficient funds, but it was still easy to get as long as you meet the requirements.

However, the US tourist visa requirements are vague. They say that the applicant must prove that they have "strong ties" that will bring them back home. But "strong ties" could be arbitrary. Isn't having a child back home a "strong tie"? If it's about a job or business, that isn't always consistent either, because if you read the anecdotal accounts online, lots of Filipinos with money and assets who are considered rich or well-off have been refused a US tourist visa too. So there must be other intangible factors at play. Like psychological factors based on the applicant's photo and background.

It could be, as Mr S said, that the decision is already made by people in the back, perhaps professional psychologists or profilers, and the interview at the front is just a formality. Obviously a lowly office worker like those interviewers cannot make a decision in 3 or 4 minutes. They aren't that smart, nor are they experts in psychological profiling. My guess is that the interviewer's monitor screen already tells them if an applicant is already approved or not, and the interview is just a formality that doesn't make any difference. Someone in the back who is an expert in profiling people has probably already researched the applicant's background, and made the decision in advance.

That's why the new application online I saw, now asks for the applicant's Facebook page or blog. Because those things allow them to see a bigger picture and more in depth about the applicant's life and background and who they hang out with. A blog of course, allows them to see into their mind and thoughts and education level. In the case of this successful applicant:

https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... filipinos/

As you can see, her blog looks clean, neat, well organized, and her English is very good. She sounds educated and classy. Sure she has a job, but lots of applicants with jobs get turned down. So it can't just be about that. Besides, how would the embassy know if she plans to abandon her job and stay in the US with her boyfriend permanently? Especially if she falls in love with him? She did say on her application that she's going to the US to visit her boyfriend. So they know that such a thing is possible. So the big question is: How do they know she won't overstay in the US and fall in love with her boyfriend and not wanna come back? It can't just be because she has a job, even if she's had one for years. There has to be other factors they look at. That's what I wanna know. I'll send these questions to the US embassy and see if they can shed light on it. lol

You can tell a lot about someone from their photos, blog, and facebook, if you know how. Not all men are good at reading people (even if they are arrogant know-it-all types of men who think that if they can't see something then no one can). But there are some who have a 6th sense and intuition about it, especially if they've investigated and profiled thousands of people before.

For example, if you ask a homicide detective who has solved a hundred cases, they will tell you that they can tell if someone is guilty or innocent just from talking to them and sizing them up. They are able to read them and use their 6th sense and intuition to size them up, and most of the time they are right. When you have a lot of experience sizing people up, it comes naturally with time. Experienced doctors who have seen thousands of patients can usually recognize symptoms right away after a while, even without doing tests, because after a while, they learn to recognize them automatically. I would imagine the FBI has an expert profiler and psychologist who does things like that, like sizing people up by looking at their pics and background info, which lowly clerks and FBI agents cannot do. Believe it or not, some people are good at that sort of thing, and if you are, you can easily size someone up in minutes from talking to them or looking at their photos and videos.

For example, watch the movie "Silence of the Lambs" and you will see that Hannibal Lecture is an expert criminal psychologist who is able to see little clues, details and nuances about someone that ordinary people will not notice. And if you read Sherlock Holmes stories, you will see that Holmes can see many subtle clues about a suspect just from looking at him, that normal people never see. Such people do exist in real life.

Of course, a lot of arrogant men think that's impossible, and assume that just because they suck at reading people that everyone else must too, because they think they know it all, and if they can't see something, then no one can. Those arrogant men are ignorant and wrong of course, but they exist unfortunately, because male pride and male ego and arrogance are full of shit. I've kicked those men's ass in debate many times and all they can do is run away and yell parting insults at me, because they can't stand losing or being proven wrong. Their egos are huge and even if they are low IQ and stupid, they still think they "know it all" because they are men and have huge pride and ego. Stupid f***s is what they are. But they are everywhere, even in this forum there are stupid men who think they know it all when they really do not. (you know who you are) Sorry I just had to get that out, because there are many arrogant stupid pricks out there who will debate everything even when they know they are wrong, and I'm so sick of those stupid f***s.

Anyway, that's my theory. It's an educated guess about how the process might really work. Because there is no consistency with it, so there must be more at play here, such as deeper intangible factors that involve expert profiling and psychological analysis.

I would consider myself good at that too. Because after meeting thousands of people, I too have an instinct or knack about who I can trust and who I can't. And most of the time I am right.

I would venture to guess that if an applicant looks too floosy, like they just "flow with the wind" and don't care about any morals, ethics or principles, that is a red flag to them. You sort of can recognize that from looking at a person's mannerisms, face and personality, the way they talk and carry themselves, their body language, etc. It's hard to explain, but you can tell. Even dogs can read people well by their intuition, they know a good person from a bad person. Any dog owner will tell you that. So it's an intuition that one can hone, especially with experience.

It could be that having a blog helps a lot, like in that girl's case above, who aced the interview in 3 minutes by just answering a few simple questions about herself. Because when you have a blog, it means you stand for something. You have a purpose and a specific viewpoint, you aren't just an empty vacuous shell with no opinion and just flows with the wind, like most Filipinos probably are (no offense to any Filipinos out there). They probably prefer people who stand for something, over someone who stands for nothing and just flows with the wind, because such a person who gets to the US could decide to overstay there, just because he or she "feels like it" and doesn't care about following the law, and does not even think twice about it. That would be my guess.

Maybe I should ask Dianne to start a blog, if that's the case. lol

[Winston]

Question: This Filipino girl in her blog sounded like she passed the tourist visa interview quite easily. She gives the impression that the interview isn't that hard to pass. Do any of you know how and why she passed? I don't think it was just because she dressed well and acted confident and smiled and looked professional right? She must have showed "strong ties" to her country that would make her return to it. But how exactly? Any idea?

https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... filipinos/
https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/usa-v ... on-answer/

Dear wiseton truth is paperpusher burrat man embasy look 100s person eachday everydaay ask self is girl poverty slumgirl or poverty provincegirl or is prostitutiongirl for all these most get fast reject but if he feeling girl hi educate or serious long job and most important does girl seem have status maybe he say yes and all case embasy burat make speedy gonzales choose because see so so many case in day

what is diane in person and does speak nice qualities english does have tatoo does have long job many year

why bring momy why not go lone ranger

Yes but keep in mind that I was at that interview too. There were hundreds of people. Most of the applicants were dressed nice and looked professional. Dianne and her mom and sister also wore nice clothes to the interview. I don't think it's about that. Plus I doubt that a lowly office worker and interviewer is an expert in psychology and profiling. Most likely, an expert in psychological profiling already made the decision in advance, and the interview is just a formality. See my previous post above, where I explain why I believe that. It's all my educated guess of course, but it makes sense. A lowly office worker cannot read someone accurately in 3 minutes.

Dianne is very likable in person. Men usually treat her well and with generosity, because she gives off good vibes and aura. But the interviewer was a lady unfortunately. Maybe women are more mean to other women.

Dianne interviewed with her mom and sister together because we assumed it would be better because a group they are less scared. Her mom and sister cannot speak English well and they have no confidence and are not assertive. So I thought Dianne could represent and speak for all of them. I had no idea it would be a disadvantage, and neither did anyone else either. Hindsight is 20/20, and no one told me in advance that a group interview was a bad idea. People only said that after the fact. lol. Typical. Everyone claims that they can see a mistake in advance but in reality they only saw it AFTER the mistake was revealed. lol

Maybe Dianne would have done better had she interviewed alone. I will try to send her on another interview alone and see if that works. But for now, the embassy is not interviewing anyone due to the lockdown.

[Yohan]

Japan is also very picky, claiming that about the half of all applications from certain countries are nothing but fakes, true or not...
However the big difference is that Japan will never charge you any fee until your application is approved and stamped in your passport.

But when I went to a travel agency in Angeles City in my hotel, they told me that the Japan tourist visa was easy to get, almost guaranteed, as long as you fill out the paperwork. All I had to do was pay them a fee to fill out the paperwork for me, and there's a very good chance it will be approved by the Japanese embassy.

The situation is as follows:

In Japan are about 325,000 Filipinos living, a fairly large group - among Chinese, Koreans, Japanese-Brazilians, Vietnamese
For Japanese visa you really don't need an agent, better you do that by yourself.

Many foreign nationals (68 countries) do not need a visa when entering Japan anyway as a tourist.
Information is very clear about it and available in English.

In your case, 90 days with Taiwan/or USA-passport you need only a confirmed flight reservation, but this is rarely checked.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/vis ... l#notice05

-----

Filipinos still need a tourist visa issued in advance to enter Japan, requirements are clearly explained, but not always so easy to fulfill I think.
The agent cannot do that all for you.

https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html
https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000232573.pdf

About the Japanese consulate fees if the application is approved, they are minimal, various services are even for free.
Japan does not rip you off. Nothing to worry about payments.

If the application is rejected, they will tell you why if you show up personally.
I have seen several times Japanese immigration officers who refused to explain agents why an application of one of their clients was not approved and insisted to talk to the applicant directly. They just gave the passport/forms back to the agent with no comment.

In general Japanese authorities do not like to talk to anybody else in case of problems except to the applicant in person.
It's because there are indeed too many fakes going on.

https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/00_000284.html
https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000455635.pdf

However, the US tourist visa requirements are vague. They say that the applicant must prove that they have "strong ties" that will bring them back home. But "strong ties" could be arbitrary. Isn't having a child back home a "strong tie"? If it's about a job or business, that isn't always consistent either, because if you read the anecdotal accounts online, lots of Filipinos with money and assets who are considered rich or well-off have been refused a US tourist visa too. So there must be other intangible factors at play. Like psychological factors based on the applicant's photo and background.

It could be, as Mr S said, that the decision is already made by people in the back, perhaps professional psychologists or profilers, and the interview at the front is just a formality.

This might be true, just arbitrary decision. Or there is a quota, approving only about 30 percent of applications ... who knows?
It is difficult to talk with a person in charge personally and ask for information, and no clear information is available on the web.

I see the problem more about the visa fees, which are collected, approved or not. This is really bad.
Refused? OK, come again and try again. But why pay the full amount again? I would understand a small handling fee, USD 20,- or so to prevent misuse, but to collect USD 160,- approved or not is a rip-off.

[Skaar]

Im a fipino fromn nz and in here it is quite easy to get visas for partners especially if ur a citrizen yourself which I am