It is not uncommon to dream of visiting places that you see in movies. Let me guess, most of them are in the United States. To name a few, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, and Chicago are some common tourist destinations in the US You have the resources, but harbor this apprehension that you will be denied.
This should not prevent you from making your travel plans come true. If you have a family member in the US or would like to travel alone, the key is knowing what type of visa to apply for, the necessary documents to complete, and most importantly the purpose of your visit to the US.
First things first, learn the difference between a US visitor visa (B-2) and a US sponsorship visa.
These two things are not the same.
The visitor visa often referred to as a B-1 / B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for people who wish to enter the United States temporarily for pleasure, medical treatment, and business. In this case, apply for your United States visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate. Whereas, the employer or a close family member applies for a US visa sponsorship by filing an immigration petition with the US government To obtain a green card (green card) for your employee or family member near. This is also known as non-immigrant petitions, such as work visa (eg H, L visa) and family visa (eg fiance visa or K visa).
What is the purpose of your visit?
The United States Consul will ask you this question, whom you will meet when you arrive at the embassy. But before that, determine the purpose of your trip. If the purpose of your trip is to visit the US for a short period for pleasure, tourism, and visiting relatives, relatives, or friends, then the visitor visa known as a US tourist visa or B-2 visa is the right visa for you.
However, please note that if you are applying for a visitor visa, among other things, you must demonstrate to the U.S. consular officer that you have strong ties to the Philippines as your home country and that you intend to return after your temporary stay in the U.S. You must also show that you have enough money available to cover your travel expenses to the United States, such as airline tickets, visitor’s insurance, accommodation / boarding, transportation expenses, tourism expenses, and all all other expenses.
What if I don’t have enough resources, but my friends and family in the US are willing to take over my stay there?
So this is where sponsorship sets in.
Who can sponsor my trip?
Anyone residing in the US can sponsor a visa for their parents, family, and friends. This means you must be an I-94 holder (US green card) OR US citizen Your sponsor must provide an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134). The form is a confirmation that the sponsor is ready to assume financial responsibility for the applicant during the visit.
What documents do I need to present?
You must have documents for the US visitor visa interview:
1. A valid passport that does not expire before 6 months after your intended stay.
2. Printing your DS-160 confirmation page
3. Fee receipt US visa fees.
4. A photograph
5. Original / copy of the appointment letter for the Visa interview
Supporting documents to show your ties to your home country include:
You must demonstrate strong economic, social and family ties to your home country. You must also show that you will not become a burden to the US By demonstrating your financial stability to cover expenses in the US These facts will assure the interviewing officer that you will return to your home country after the authorized period of stay in the US. The required documents are:
1. Evidence of sufficient funds for the visit to the US (bank statement and passbook, etc.)
2. Evidence showing that you have strong ties to your home country. Documents related to the property you own and your employment are good evidence
to. If you are employed, obtain an employment verification letter.
B. If you are self-employed, obtain financial and documentary proof of ownership
vs. If you are a government employee, obtain an employment certificate and travel authorization.
D. Tax ID and recent tax-related documents
me. Original ownership documents such as home, store, or business ownership documents, etc. that you own in the Philippines / home country. If no papers are available, make a notarized affidavit for the same
F. Documentary evidence of the management of any company or organization.
gram. Evidence of family ties such as unmarried children, elderly parents, and other family responsibilities.
h. If the person is an employee, other than proof of employment and proof of leave granted from the office, any documents showing that they have reason to return
Documents and other evidence aside, the help of an immigration consultant / advisor is highly recommended who would facilitate your application and improve your chances of getting approved.