I have a different opinion
I think that a bf that sponsors a pinay is going to spend more money while she visits. Background checks on the bf will tell them if they suspect he'll put her to work in a massage parlor or something like that as some have suggested is the major flaw with loosening the visa standards. I don't think most guys would ever do that and I don't think it is a major consideration that would stop such a new vision of encouraging visitors from around the world to the US. I will hear within a month if the boyfriend of my friend's friend is successful at getting the travel visa. My hunch is things have finally changed.
[QUOTE=Westcoast1; 1317300]Interesting stuff. I'm with you, DOD, wait and see.
One of the things that comes to mind is the difference between a traveler who visits here, and american guy's po gf. The filipine traveler who wants to see the US will come and spend money (he's the one we want). The po girl is not the one who brings money?[/QUOTE]
I really appreciate your post. Thank you
This is the kind of feedback I was hoping would be posted here. All indications seem to be that there is a new energy at US immigration to bring in more filipinos to US to visit which is why I opened this thread. I don't know if your friend got special treatment because of her employment but she did say she got denied the previous time she applied which still seems to support a new policy. The fact she describes the playing of welcome to US videos to those waiting for their appointments is consistent with what I was noticing on the US state department website about new immigration focus and she was even aware of the strategy to help stimulate a sluggish US economy.
As far as bf's being discouraged (as part of a new immigration policy if there is a new policy) to bring single pinays here as some have suggested I suspect just the opposite. Most guys wanting to bring a gf here are responsible and will make sure she does not fall into any kind of employment while she is here and will make sure she returns on time. I would guess that as far as the US state department is concerned they will especially welcome bf's bringing their gf's here on travel visa because there is no question it will help their goal of bringing more visitors here and no question those guys will be reaching much deeper into their wallets to entertain their special guests during her visit.
[QUOTE=Marconista; 1317525]According to a close pinay friend of mine, its easier to get tourist visa to the US compared to earlier.
This is what she sent me on YM last week:
QUOTE.
I want to share some nice news with you.
Last Tuesday, I went to the USA embassy for interview for my visa application (tourist visa) and although the consul looks quite serious, he granted me a visa!
Very happy with the fact that my application fee wasn't wasted unlike 9 yrs ago when I applied. The visa fee now is almost Php 7, 000, and I would hate myself if I didn't get approved as that I already money for grocery items.
I didn't plan of applying for a visa but my friends urged me to do so as they "hear" that the embassy is quite lenient with issuing visas now specially for tourists since their economy is down. And maybe true because this time at the embassy, while thousands wait for the interview, they play videos of "discover america". They were not active in promoting their tourism before but now they are.
My next hurdle is to be able to save some money for the trip. I will have very discounted airfare thanks to friends in the airline. Accommodation will be at friends' places.
So I need money for eating, going around & a little shopping for souvenirs. I plan to go with some friends this November in time for their thansgiving. Let's see
UNQUOTE.
This lady holds a job as an executive in the tourist industry in the RP, so I guess that helps when applying.[/QUOTE]
Or if she were Mexican, etc
{/QUOTE} No, What you mean to say is if she was ugly, unfit and 50 years old, unfuckable, with own home in the Phillipines.
She would probably fit it with the rest of the US women.
As such the imigation and homeland security would probably give her a tourist visa.
Hoo Rah.
Sly[/QUOTE]Or, if she was from Mexico, she would just lie and say she is going shopping, stay illegally, work illegally, get food stamps and subsidized housing, get free medical care in hospital emergency rooms, pop out a couple of kids, and just wait for a spineless Congress to pass the next amnesty program. Welcome to America.