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Tourist Visa Help From Colombia to US

Hi guys,

I just had a couple of questions about the tourist visa process from Colombia to the US. I've read up a lot through the old posts which have helped me understand the process but I still have a couple of questions.

Basically my cousin is a 18 (turning 19) year old female cousin wants to travel to the US. She has no intentions of staying in fact she is in her first year of University and is doing extremely well. She just wants to come to visit but she knows its tough. She doesn't speak a lick of english (although shes taking english classes), has little to no money, she is single and attractive, has lots of family in colombia, and she does have us here in the US but none of us are in position to take her on.

I know the financial part is going to be a problem but I've read threads in here where people who had nothing got in. It's a crap shoot I know.

QUESTIONS:

1). In the interview when they ask her if she has family in the US what should she respond? I've read having ties in the US is not beneficial but I also read that lying is bad as well. How should she respond to this question.

2). She is basically going to come here for vacation and thats it. Since she has no money how should she respond if they ask her how she intends to pay for the trip? My idea was to say if the visa was approved then her father or brother would help finance the trip. Is this a good idea?

3). How far in advance should she apply? She wants to travel in June because thats when school is out. How long is the process here?

4). What should her demeanor be in the interview?

Any other advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. Like I said all she wants to do is visit. We even threw out the idea of getting a student visa with us helping her out but she doesnt want to stay that long..just visit.

I appreciate any help.

By Zepp on Mar 1, 2007, 08:47 in Visa & paperwork.

Gator says on Mar 1, 2007, 09:56:

Do Not.. lie, tell the truth and be straight forward. Her chances are slim and none and slim just left town. Apply now as it will get busy but based on what you posted I really do not have much hope for the visa.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Zepp says on Mar 1, 2007, 10:04:

Well I know here chances were slim to begin with and that its like playing a lottery. But what makes her chances none? Is it because of us living here? If so what can we do to try to show that we have no interest and no financial capability of taking someone on? I also happen to work for a politician in the federal government. Would writing a letter on her behalf help?

Any suggestions?

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 1, 2007, 13:03:

My cousin... ... who is 19 years-old was in the same situation as yours. He's broke and goes to Universidad de Antioquia with excellent grades. He asked for his tourist visa this past January to go to Ft. Lauderdale for about a month before classes started. Needless to say his visa was DENIED. He told the CO that he had a letter of invitation from his uncle with an affidavit of support to back up his trip... the CO didn't even bother with it. He only asked him his age and why he wanted to go, before he could finish answering the questions he was denied.

On the other hand, I had 2 other cousins (sisters) who were about 17 and 20 years-old at the time. Showed the letter of invitation from my parents along with the affidavit of support and the CO only asked them if my parents were US citizens, they answered yes and both visas were approved right away. One of them went back to Colombia to live life before her visa expired, and the other one stayed here. Like you said... it's a crap shoot, but good luck to your 'cuz. ;D

Diana

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Gator says on Mar 1, 2007, 13:26:

The Entire Scenario.. will raise more than one red flag with the consulate staff. A letter will really do no good but it might make you feel better. In most cases even a US Senator can't be of much help. The problem is not on your end it is her. Remember the embassy staff, for the most part, adopts the attitude she will NOT return to Colombia.

Frankly, the part of you having no financial ability to support will be the kiss of death unless she can show documented proof she is able to pay her own way while in the USA.

You can have her take a chance because there is always a chance she will get the visa. Keep in mind the cost of a B-2 visa is $100 USD, non refundable. She must personally deposit the fee at a special account in one of the approved Banco de Crédito locations in varios cities. If denied she may apply again if there is NEW evidence to overcome the basis for the refusal. In the absence of new evidence, consular officers are not obliged to re-examine such cases.

She will need the follow to apply:
Completed Form DS-156
Completed Form DS-157 (only for men between 16 and 45 years of age)
Current, valid passport
Evidence that the visit is temporary and that she will leave the United States after their lawfully authorized stay
Photographs (requirements are strict for photograph type, size, and quality).

Please check with US Embassy Bogotá for specifications before she gets pictures taken. She will need proof of funds to cover her expenses in the United States; and evidence of compelling social and economic ties IN COLOMBIA.

If she doest not live in Bogotá there will be the travel/lodging costs.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Zepp says on Mar 1, 2007, 16:33:

Wow thanks for all the great info!

Now when I said we couldnt financially take her on I meant that if she were to move here (which she isnt) there is no way we could support her. Sure if she comes for a few weeks we can have a ball and do a lot of vacationing...thats another thing.

She does live in bogota and we have no problem fronting her the 100 bucks to give it a shot.

MONONOKE28

You said that you presented a letter from your US citizen relatives and affidavit of support. Is that recommended, the affidavit of support, or something that won't matter? Also what form number is that?

Also how soon should she apply since she wants to travel in June? Any other advice since you had a success story? hehe

thanks again!

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 1, 2007, 21:44:

Whatever she does, tell the truth. If she lies and they find out (and they will) it's all over for her, now and in the future. They asked my sister-in-law if she had family in the US and it's a good thing she said yes because they already knew that her sister (my wife) was a US resident.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 2, 2007, 11:14:

Zepp... ... I'm not sure which forms my parents used for my cousins. I'm currently applying for a K-3 visa for my husband and I will need to file an I-134 or I-864. Check USCIS.gov to see if your family can use either one of those. One of them needs to be notarized, I believe it's the I-134. They also sent a copy of their W-2 for them to show. Now keep in mind that all of this may not be enough or the CO won't even ask for it, so it may be useless. In my cousins' case, the CO DID ask for it and that made him approve them. in my other cousin's case, the CO didn't give a rat's ass about anything he brought in with him. Like you said, it's a crap shoot.

Diana

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megustamuchisimo says on Mar 2, 2007, 16:48:

Being attractive is the kiss of death. They will assume her mission is to get a US citizen interested enough in her to ask her to marry him. Basically, the embassy staff says NO NO NO to pretty girls.

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Zepp says on Mar 3, 2007, 09:03:

LOL!!! So far Ive gotten that since she has US relatives thats the kiss of death and now that shes attractive..another kiss of death. They should just call the tourist visa process the kiss of death and be done with it LOL!

Trust me I know I have a better chance of winning the lottery this weekend...just trying to do everything I can for my cuz.

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 6, 2007, 08:50:

Uhmm... ... not true. My cousins are uuuuuuuuuuuuugly and they were BOTH approved on the same day. =D

Diana

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dalharrma1 says on Apr 17, 2007, 21:22:

hello my name is marc and i am going to visit barranquilla, columbia in the next few months. i am an american and i live in arkansas. i met a beautiuful young lady through international introductions in barranquilla...we have been communicating by email and webcam for 6 months. i am going to get a hotel room at the hotel prado in barranquilla...my spanish girl will be staying with me for 10 days and she will be my guide in the country. i will not be traveling to bogota or cali. i may go to cartegena with my girl guide. we are very close and i am thinking of marrying her and bringing her back to the u.s. we have discussed this in detail. i do not know how much a visa will cost to bring her back to u.s. and she has a 9 year old son too. i will inquire with the u.s. embassy when i get to columbia. do you have any suggestions about securing her and her son a visa...i will be getting engaged to her while i am in columbia. she is coming to visit me in october of this year..i will be able to get her a fiance visa...i have been told this is not too hard. please if you have any suggestions or comments about the area...what is safe to do...what is not safe to do...if you have heard anything about international introductions...it is a latin-wife agency in barranquilla, columbia and the owner is an american named jaime...and his columbian wife is karina..please let me know. i will be in barranquilla, columbia for 10 days. please advise and please be truthful, marc

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aztec says on Apr 18, 2007, 08:17:

"Whatever she does, tell the truth." All they want is assurance the applicant will return to Colombia. If they suspect you might violate the conditions of your visa you will be summarily rejected.

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