B1/B2 Visitor Visa Interview Questions and Answers

You or your loved ones may someday wish to visit the USA. Maybe you want to visit
Disneyland, Las Vegas, Hollywood. Or maybe wish to visit family, friends even potential fiances or spouses.

Well it turns out that while all applicants usually bring plenty of supporting documents and proofs to a visitor visa interview, including letters from American sponsors, in practice the consular officer at the embassy most likely will make his decision based on what is said during the verbal interview.

Knowing in advance what the questions will be, preparing your answers, and understanding B2 Visitor Eligibility will greatly improve your chances to be approved for the visa.

In this video I will teach you the types of B1/B2 visa interview questions you can expect, and how to answer them.

B1/B2 Interview Questions and Answers, Plus Tips for Success

Continue reading “B1/B2 Visitor Visa Interview Questions and Answers”

Marriage on B-2 Visitor or other Non-Immigrant Visa

Can a Traveler on Non-immigrant Visa Marry while in USA?

A foreigner who is already in the U.S. is welcome to marry a U.S. citizen or other person while here. Marriage procedures are set by the state and local governments, and not involved with immigration which is a Federal issue.

For example two Canadians fly to Las Vegas, get married, return to Canada. Immigration is not involved. And the marriage is valid worldwide.

I personally did about the same thing. I was living in Hong Kong and engaged to Joyce. I had been an expat (American living outside the USA) for about 15 years by then. My friends and family were scattered all over the world. We decided to get married in Las Vegas, cause flights, food, and rooms in Las Vegas were bargain priced especially 20 years ago, and it would be easy for my family and friends to meet us there for our celebration. Joyce already had a B-2 visitor visa, so we just flew in from Hong Kong, met our friends and family, got licenced, married, met Elvis, had a short honeymoon then returned to Hong Kong. Immigration was not involved at that time. About 7 years later, when our first child was ready for kindergarten, we then finally applied for a spouse visa for Joyce. She was interviewed and got her visa in Hong Kong, then we all moved back to the USA.

Flying in, getting married, flying out. Is not a problem. Immigration is not involved.

What is more complicated, but possible, is the case when the foreign born spouse wants to remain in the USA without leaving. Who wants to remain permanently in the USA and obtain a green card.

We already know about the fiance visa. The k1 visa anticipates that the foreign born fiance, will marry during her 90 day temporary visit, and then apply for green card and permanent residence without leaving the USA. That is its normal and expected process.

But foreigners who arrive on visa waiver programs, or on work, study or visitor visas are expected to leave after a set period of time. Usually the maximum allowed time of stay is stamped onto their passports when they land.

What can be done in these cases? Must they return overseas and apply for a spouse visa?

In some cases, without leaving it is possible to obtain a green card. In some other cases it’s not so likely, and probable that the new spouse will be required to leave and must obtain a spouse visa before returning.

Two issues apply. 1. Intent to remain 2. Restrictions on the visa

Intent to remain

For example a Japanese tourist travels to USA for holiday, is walking on the beach meets a handsome American LifeGuard, ( falls in love, and after a few weeks marries.)

There wasn’t any advance contact between the couple, the traveler was not planning or intending to use her tourist visa to remain the USA. Immigration will probably believe that this case is legitimate, that there was no actual intent to misuse the visa. They will probably grant the foreign born spouse, permission to remain permanently in the USA and there won’t be any need to leave the USA first and apply from overseas for a spouse visa.,

The outcome may not be so happy for a couple who was corresponding for a year, the foreign girlfriend arrived on a tourist visa, and married after a week. Immigration may be unlikely to accept that this all occurred spontaneously without pre-planning and without prior intent for the foreigner to remain past the expiry date of her visa. The application for Green Card would probably be denied and the foreign spouse required to return overseas.

Specific Restrictions

Some visas, regardless of intent, won’t permit the foreigner to remain to obtain the green card, such as some J student visas that require the student, to return to home country for 2 years, without fail.

Conclusion: Marriage in the USA is not a concern by immigration. Foreign travelers who marry an American while traveling on a temporary visa, providing they had no prior intent to remain in the USA, and whose visas don’t have restrictions, may be able to successfully apply for permanent residency without need to leave the USA at the end of the original allotted time on their temporary visas.

By Fred Wahl
the VisaCoach

Visitor Visa for your Fiancee

B-2 Visitor Visa for Fiancee

“Before we found VisaCoach I applied for my wife to get a visitors visa, and she was denied after 3 questions. Fast forward one year, I found Fred and VisaCoach, and he was extremely helpful. My wife’s B2 Visitor’s visa was approved on our second try. (First attempt with VisaCoach). His advice was very straightforward, and his replies were always quick and straight to the point.”Nathan from China

American men call me to tell me their story, sometimes it goes like this:

“I want her to come here first”

“I met this great gal online. She lives on the other side of the world. we haven’t met in-person yet, and I want to meet her face to face, but I am “too busy at work” or “afraid of flying” or “my health is poor” or simply “I want her to come here first”.

“Girl Friend” Visas do not exist

Unfortunately for these guys, there is no such thing as a “girlfriend” visa. The closest alternatives are a Visitor visa (sometimes called a tourist visa) or a Fiance Visa. Continue reading “Visitor Visa for your Fiancee”

Visitor Visa Permanent Resident

K1 Fiance Visa Mistakes: Visitor visa for Residency

I got a call from an American who wants to marry a lady from India. I am in the middle of explaining to him how fiance and spouse visas work, and then he tells me he doesn’t need to know about that, because HIS “plan” is that he is going to apply for a visitor visa for her. Marry her in the USA, then apply for her green card. He want’s to know how long it will take for her to get permanent residency.

What he is planning, is simply put “immigration fraud”. A visitor visa is by definition for a short visit. No more no less. For him to plan to use the visitor visa for his girlfriend to stay permanently, is a misuse of the visa. Continue reading “Visitor Visa Permanent Resident”

Denied Entry at US border

Denied entry at US border

Madeleine lives in Canada about 100 miles north of the US border. Joshua her American fiance lives in Buffalo. Because they both live so close to the border they have been able to spend many weekends together. Either she goes down to meet him or he drives up to meet her

Their happy courtship continued this way until one time when Madeleine was stopped at the border and asked by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer what was the purpose of her trip ? This was after he had checked her computerize record of border crossings and he had noticed she had been making many frequent trips. She told him she has a boyfriend in Buffalo and they were just spending some time together. He said OK go on through. A few weeks later she was at The same border checkpoint embarking on another visit to her fiance, a different officer said You’ve been visiting the US so much its almost like you are living here. That is not the purpose of the visitor waiver you have been using. If you are serious about your relationship and possibly living permanently the USA you will have to apply for a fiancee visa or get married and apply for a spouse visa. Sorry but you cannot enter the USA today . Maybe in a few months later this will change but for now, please turn around go back.

The next day Madeleine and Joshua called for their free phone consultation. And the day after we started working on their fiance visa. As of this recording, we got her visa, they married and honeymooned in Orlando, and her adjustment of status for her Green Card has been submitted and is in process..

Continue reading “Denied Entry at US border”

Tips to get a B2 Visitor Visa?

B2 Visitor Visa: 4 Tips to Approval

If you already know me you know I help couples get their fiance and spouse visas to immigrate to the USA. The ultimate goal for these couples is to have a happy married life living together in the USA.

I normally avoid talking about visitor visas. Because generally the people who ask me about visitor visas are intent on bringing their girlfriends, boyfriends, fiancee’s or spouses to the USA. As far as US immigration is concerned, by definition, any visitor Visa applicant who has intent to permanently live in the USA is automatically ineligible. Realistically, what candidate is more likely to want to remain in the USA than someone who is in love with a American.

Visitor visas are certainly appropriate when foreign-born individuals have the time, money and interest to come sightseeing and visiting the USA and who have ABSOLUTELY no interest in EVER living in the USA. If this describes you, then the following tips should be useful.

Continue reading “Tips to get a B2 Visitor Visa?”

B-2 visitor girlfriend fiancee

Visitor Visa instead of K1 or CR1 Visa

A lot of couples in a long distance relationship are thinking, “It would be nice if we could get together. And it would be especially nice, if we didn’t have to wait for a long fiance or spouse visa to be granted, and instead ,lets apply for a visitor visa, and be together, RIGHT AWAY”

Around this time of year I get plenty of phone calls from guys and gals who would like to bring their foreign romantic partners home to the USA for a visit and to celebrate Valentine’s Day together.

Sorry, lets just cut to the chase.

Unfortunately US immigration does not issue girlfriend or boyfriend visas.

Australia does, But not the USA. It really is impossible to obtain permission to bring your love, your fiance, your spouse to the USA unless through applying for a fiance or spouse visa.

Continue reading “B-2 visitor girlfriend fiancee”

Eligibility Requirements for B2 Visitor Visa

Eligibility requirements for a B-2 Visitor Visa

To be eligible the applicant must prove to the US consular officers that the applicant is coming to the USA only for pleasure or medical treatment, has no plans to overstay, has binding ties to his/her country that reasonably guarantees a return home, and has financial means to pay for the trip.

Approval for B-2 visitor (tourist visa) is not automatic, to be eligible the applicant must prove to the US consular officers the following points and her word alone is not sufficient, she needs to present evidences that she:

is coming to the United States for pleasure or for medical treatment (not to work or to stay permanently)

plans to stay ONLY for a limited, specific period of time

has a place of residence to return to outside the United States

has binding ties to her country and community that reasonably guarantees a return home

has permission to re-enter a foreign country at the end of her stay

has the financial means to pay for the trip.

Continue reading “Eligibility Requirements for B2 Visitor Visa”

How Denied B2 effects K1 Fiance Visa

Denied B-2 Visa: How it affects your K-1 Fiancee Visa Application

“I met this great gal online. She lives on the other side of the world. we haven’t met in-person yet. and I want to meet her face to face.” BUT…… “I am: too busy, afraid of flying, got no time, don’t like travel, don’t travel well, too expensive, It is better that she should come to me, ….”

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a “girlfriend” visa.

The closest alternatives are a B2 Visitor visa (sometimes called a tourist visa) or a K1 Fiance Visa.

But a fiancee visa requires that the couple has already met in-person, and not only that but that they are serious and want to marry. Often the guys most eager to pursue a visitor visa, aren’t quite ready to commit.

This leaves the B-2 Visitor visa.

Continue reading “How Denied B2 effects K1 Fiance Visa”

What is a B2 Visitor Visa?

B-2 Visitor (Tourist) Visa

Nathan from China

The US goverment restricts who is allowed entry to the USA, both for temporary visits as well as for permanent residency.

A B2 Visitor visa (sometimes called a Tourist Visa) is designed to give a foreign visitor permission to enter the USA for pleasure, siteseeing, to visit friends or family. Continue reading “What is a B2 Visitor Visa?”

Visitor Visa Mistakes

Many Fiancee’s Attempt to Shortcut immigration by applying for B2 Visitor Visa

Couples who REALLY need Fiance or Spouse visas sometimes attempt to game US immigration by applying for a B2 Visitor visa. This could lead to disaster. Here the Visa Coach warns about the worst mistake a fiance can make, which could destroy future chances to get any type of visa to the USA.

What is the Biggest Mistake a Fiance Can make when applying for a B2 Visitor Visa

Todays topic is: What is the Biggest mistake your fiancee can make when applying for a Visitor Visa?

Continue reading “Visitor Visa Mistakes”

Visitor Visa for Fiance or Spouse

Obtaining a Visitor Visa for your Fiance: Avoid spoiling her chances?

“I met this great gal online. She lives on the other side of the world. we haven’t met in-person yet. I want to meet her face to face.”

BUT……

“I am: too busy, afraid of flying, got no time, don’t like travel,
don’t travel well, too expensive, she should come to me, ….”

There is no such thing as a “girlfriend” visa.

The closest alternatives are a B2 Visitor visa (sometimes called a tourist visa) or a K1 Fiance Visa.

Continue reading “Visitor Visa for Fiance or Spouse”

Visitor Visa damage to Fiancee or Spouse Visa?

Does applying for a visitor visa hurt your chances for a fiancé or spouse visa ?

A B1/B2 visitor visa application does not necessarily negatively impact your K1 or CR1 case providing the foreign applicant adheres to the truth and does not reapply so many times as to appear to be desperate to travel to the USA.

“Does applying for a visitor visa hurt your chances for a fiancé or spouse visa ?

Short answer is “No”.

However there are two important qualifications to that simple answer.

#1 Truth Only Please !!

People who won’t be around later to suffer the consequences of a bad decision, such as travel agents, employers and colleagues, will advise your foreign partner that in order to be approved for a visitor visa he or she should bend the truth, actually LIE, and make up reasons to convince the consular officer why he or she will definitely, positively return to home country.

Usually this is pretending to be married or pretending to have children. Or when asked the purpose of the trip, will deny knowing the American partner. Everything said to the officer is recorded, falsehoods will eventually be discovered. and will jeopardize approval of a fiancé or spouse visa.

Make sure your partner, strictly adheres to the truth. Visitor visa denied or granted, telling the truth will pays off in the long term.

#2 Take No for an Answer.

If denied for the visitor visa, don’t apply again and again and again. Multiple repeated applications for a visa that you’re partner is not going to get, will lead the consular officer to suspect your partner is desperate to come to the USA.

The officer might follow that negative line of thought, and wonder if the current application, for a fiamce or spouse visa is only a means to a desired end, and you are only a pawn in the process.

To wrap up. There’s no problem in applying for a visitor visa and getting denied, providing all questions were answered honestly, and your partner does not keep reapplying.

This was Fred Wahl, The VisaCoach,
here to personally guide you on this journey.

How to Apply for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa

If you are a foreign national planning to visit the United States temporarily for business or pleasure, you may need to apply for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa. Here are the steps to apply for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa:

Determine if you need a visa: Citizens of certain countries may be eligible to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Check if you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program at the U.S. Department of State website.
Complete the online application form: Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form (Form DS-160) on the U.S. Department of State website. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before you start filling out the form.
Pay the application fee: Pay the non-refundable visa application fee (currently $160 for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa) online or at a designated bank.
Schedule an appointment: Schedule an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Wait times for appointments vary by location, so plan ahead.
Attend the visa interview: Attend your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Be sure to bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, visa fee receipt, and any supporting documents (such as letters from your employer or evidence of your ties to your home country). Be prepared to answer questions about your purpose of travel, length of stay, and ties to your home country.
Wait for a decision: After your interview, you will be notified if your visa application has been approved, denied, or requires further administrative processing. Processing times vary, so be prepared to wait several weeks for a decision.

If your visa application is approved, your B1/B2 Visitor Visa will be stamped in your passport and will indicate the dates you are authorized to stay in the United States. Be sure to check the visa carefully to make sure it is correct before you leave the embassy or consulate.