Thread: US Immigration Changes Policy on granting PH Tourist VISA's?
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08-20-12 19:00 #19
Posts: 42I 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.
Originally Posted by Marconista [View Original Post]
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08-20-12 18:46 #18
Posts: 42I 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.
Originally Posted by Westcoast1 [View Original Post]
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08-20-12 13:59 #17
Posts: 293According 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.
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08-20-12 05:09 #16
Posts: 391Originally Posted by Starchild2012 [View Original Post]
What should anger educated potential immigrants that wait to get in, is that those illegals make it harder for legitimate immigrants. Their may also be a thought that educated immigrants are not as valuable to a certain political party.
The Time Magazine writer Fareed Zakaria had a good article for Newsweek talking about how the UK and Canada are snatching up good well-educated immigrants because of our policies. I thought it was an excellent piece, but of course its radically conservative.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0.9171, 2116713, 00. Html.
IMHO it works out for outsourcing. Jobs that do well overseas should be ones we don't want, at least not at those wages haha! (we should be too smart to do that)
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08-20-12 03:44 #15
Posts: 993Philippines issued about 132, 000 visas in 2011 relatively high compared to other asian countries given their relative size. Clearly China and india show larger number but they have much bigger population than PH (I need to check india population relative to PH since I'm not sure of the difference off hand).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_American
-If American government like the rest of the world governments does something good to its people. I'm always suspicious of the motive behind it. They will never do something good, unless it fits their long term plans.
I think they want more choas in America, they want outsiders to take jobs that Americans deserve. When I was working for a US based company. I was shocked that, many of my fellow Indians are promoted to high posts in a very short period of time which would take more than 10 years of experience which now only took 4-5. I myself got a job easily and while interacting with fellow Americans, they were more qualified than me. I did not make much of that earlier, as I was happy to work for an American company and money, greed and fun was all I could think off at that time.
However, now with more info around. I know now that its a deliberate systematic plan of American corporation to send jobs abroad and hire outsiders, and in the process make a killing with outsourced jobs. You are right. Being on the other side of hiring. I can say for sure. They deliberately do not hire qualified Americans, even if they do, they are not promoted.
- if this visa rule is true. Don't do that. In the long run it will bite you hard. As other members mentioned, when your gf lands from Asia. She will dump you for a younger version, better paying guy. America has that air which makes women grow wings. They become feminazi and she will take another of your fellow Americans job. I'm ok with that no hatred, if we Asians allowed Americans to work freely and open business in our countries like we Asians do in America.
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08-19-12 23:27 #14
Posts: 6885Interesting 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?
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08-19-12 21:30 #13
Posts: 42Here is one of the original links I mentioned in my first post
Seems to me this is a different attitude than in the past in terms of trying overcome criticisms that US immigration policy is broken.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_5654.html
Here it is I finally found it.
Also found the following:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_5735.html
State department video new as of May this year.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_5663.html
Never seen such a promotional video before about travel to USA (I suspect this is relatively very new and even brags about short wait times for visa approvals).
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bul...etin_5759.html
This article shows a table that lists the Philippines with China, india, and mexico that the above video mentioned the state department was allocating additional resources to keep up with visa processing demand. Has Philippines ever been singled out among so many other countries before now?
http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY11AnnualReport-Table%20IV. Pdf.
Philippines issued about 132, 000 visas in 2011 relatively high compared to other asian countries given their relative size. Clearly China and india show larger number but they have much bigger population than PH (I need to check india population relative to PH since I'm not sure of the difference off hand).
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08-19-12 21:26 #12
Posts: 28The only change in policy toward visas I am aware of happened earlier this year, with a public appearance by President Obama at Disney World to announce the changes. You can use Google to search "tourist visas USA Obama" to read other accounts of the change, or read about it here:
http://travel.usatoday.com/news/stor...ess/52652668/1
Note in the second paragraph of the story, the main changes only affected citizens of Brazil and China getting visas processed quicker. There may have been some behind-the-scenes changes, but essentially it was a problem where even people who would qualify for a tourist visa were forced to travel long distances to get to a consulate, and long backlogs delayed the processes. The travel industry has been on the administration to loosen up tourist visas for foreigners, claiming they are missing out on lots of spending by potential foreign tourists that are denied visas or get caught up in delays and red tape. The way the government responded, with a very limited change focused on only two countries, my interpretation is that they were tossing interested parties (mainly the travel industry) a bone to make them be quiet.
One other change mentioned in the article I referenced: Taiwan changed to a no-visa-required status for it's citizens to visit the USA. Why are visas required for some countries, but not others? There seems to be a very good correlation between the standard of living of the country in question, and the USA. If they are fairly equal (such as most western-European countries, Japan, etc.) then they don't worry about those people coming in droves and staying. On the other hand, citizens from countries such as Thailand, Philippines, and many others where the standard of living is much lower, will need to get visas. On the one hand, I'm not at all proud of the way the USA treats these people in their efforts to get a visa, the hoops they have to jump through, and the fees they have to pay. But on the other hand, I think we all have met people in countries like Thailand and Philippines that have a great desire to go somewhere like western Europe or the USA with a dream of working there at a (comparatively) high wage, and solving all of their (and their family's) financial problems. So it IS easy to see how the situation would quickly get out of control if allowed to.
I'll post a few visa stories I am personally aware of regarding foreigners getting into the USA, in a day or so. Got to sleep now, however.
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08-19-12 19:19 #11
Posts: 502I wouldn't believe it. The plan has major flaws and would be taken advantage of. They'd have thousands of girls here asap working in massage parlors. Don't believe everything you hear especially if it's on the internet. I just read someone getting denied a tourist visa who has a good job, a house, and a kid in Philippines. It's always going to be easier for guys, I think same situation the guy would get one.
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08-19-12 18:48 #10
Posts: 42My question remains.
The majority opinion expressed here so far agrees with my general understanding of the situation. I am only trying to bring light to a newly expressed policy on the US Immigration website that they are now making a new push to make it easier for more people including those in PH to vacation in the US to help improve our sluggish economy. Two years ago this was not the case and there could be something new afoot that is changing the dynamic that we've all become accustomed.
I have heard other sources recently claim to have confidential information that indicates the US is in serious negotiations about a greater US military presence in PH. It's not too big of a stretch to think as part of those negotiations that PH has requested greater freedom for its citizens to visit and work in the US especially if sponsors take some personal responsible for assuring their visitor returns to PH in accordance with any visas issued.
When I opened this thread I was initially suspicious that anything has really changed (and I still am) so there is no need to explain how it has been in the past; I am very aware of how's it's been now for a very long time. But I have not read anything posted here yet in reply that convincingly tells me something very new hasn't recently occurred. Of course a new administration next year could undo any good news if it is in fact something significant has changed to past practices.
My friend says they are not requiring the pinay's bf to put up any major money (the way it used to be) but I'll believe it when I hear she has the visa to come visit him (issued in a timely manner at minimum cost). If the objective is to significantly increase foreign visitors to the US it does not make sense to price it too far out of reach of average US citizens. Many thanks to those replying and I will continue to dig deeper to see what I can learn.
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08-19-12 17:06 #9
Posts: 3284Originally Posted by Doingourduty [View Original Post]
Asian countries are low on the list. It is practically impossible to get a visitor visa for anybody under 50 years of age. Young girls are never given visa unless extremely lucky irrespective of what papers you fill out.
Easier is to request a fiance visa. There are conditions but doable. Fiance visa does not mean you need to marry the girl. But if the girl stays or absconds you are held liable. Hels liable does not mean they will hunt you and her down. The system does not bother about non criminal problems. Law protecting you is you have no control over anybody in US who is over 18 years old.
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08-19-12 16:59 #8
Posts: 6885Originally Posted by Cuba Tourist [View Original Post]
1. Bank account with large cash;
2. Real estate;
3. Good job;
4. Family to go home to;
5. Enough travel money to sustain their visit (hotels, food, transportation money, etc.) for their intended timeframe; OR, a rich someone (you!) to support / sponsor them in the host country (can be costly for the sponsor if the girl fails to go home on time, which you have little control over).
Keep in mind also, if she has another person in the States she wants to live with, she does not have to stay with you. She can simply meet you at the airport, with you thinking she will spend the next 6 months with you, then run off anywhere she likes without even telling you (remember, its a travel visa, not a "Stay-with-my-Sponsor" visa). Multiple american men have been duped by this from women all over the world. There she is, living with her phil-am bf, the one she really loves, and you, her sponsor, are responsible for feeding her until her time expires. This is the same situation that some married men face, who brought his fiancee to the US on a K-1 marriage visa faces: they marry, she obtains a 'temporary permanent visa' green card, and she runs off with the guy she really loves.
Add into this another problem: terrorism. Of course there is little chance that your pinay is terrorist material, but from the US government's viewpoint, why take the chance, as terrorists are utilizing poor people on a regular basis?
I remember reading on the State Dept's Immigration website awhile back that the number of each kind of visa is limited each year. I'd expect those persons wealthy enough in phils or elsewhere to travel to the US on their own (guidelines above) would be given consideration before someone's po gf.
Another consideration: person's utilizing a travel visa are restricted from certain things (ie, cannot work or marry) while in-country. In order to get her a job, or marry her (should you decide) , she must return home, then follow the work or marry visa application process.
I could be wrong about the rules, but from talking to gents who tried it, and reading the State Dept's website, these things apply. Other's thoughts?
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08-19-12 15:25 #7
Posts: 782Visas for 3rd world girls
Originally Posted by Madisonguy [View Original Post]
An approach that works now, but is admittedly not cheap, is to sign your girlfriend up for English language classes at one of the many schools that teach English as a second language in major cities. The schools are pretty good at obtaining a J visa. The girls do not have to be rich to qualify; they just need to prepay the tuition and housing. The schools do all the heavy lifting when it comes to getting a visa. My friend brought his beautiful 25 year old Brazilian girlfriend to the USA for a month this way (see www Dot bostonlanguage dot com/). But, he had to pay for a month's worth of classes and he had to rent an apartment in downtown Boston. Then she got pregnant (she did not figure this out until she was back in Brazil, where abortion is illegal) , and the whole situation became a nightmare. In the end, it worked out. But it was a lot to pay for a month of young pussy.
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08-19-12 15:00 #6
Posts: 502Originally Posted by Cuba Tourist [View Original Post]
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08-19-12 14:37 #5
Posts: 363"I'm sure we all would like to fly girls here from other countries, but because of that it will stay near impossible."
Why should our government not allow this? It is terrible for us and it would do no harm.