tourist visa granted but went home to the philippines

CASTLEGATES · Oct 25, 2009

Having dealt with immigration myself for someone else, I can tell you even if you get married, it's a year. If you've got family, you better have kids, a business a house and a good reason to go back home or you can't get a tourist visa. If they find you've got a good reason to stay here (marketable skills, family or a red flag that's been coming up...like statistics saying "most illegals stay because...") then they'll turn you around or deny the visa.

They used to have tour buses from Asia coming here to "see the US" but when 40% returned home, they put a stop to "visiting" the US from high population density areas.

All the information you need is on the DHS website and your local consulate. It's nearly impossible to get a vacation visa as evidenced by the other posters here who stayed and never went home (who had family here). The majority of vacationers with family here will stay because they have a support system to do so.

allnurses Guide · Oct 25, 2009

i have a friend who passed all the foreign exams.. and was fortunately granted a tourist visa.. she went to the states but the immigration asked her so many questions.. her purpose of visiting usa was just to visit her relatives. i dont know what had happened. the immigration knew that she is a nurse and asked her so many questions.. sad to say, but she was sent back to the philippines at that very moment.. airport to airport. and her visa has been cancelled. she advised me not anymore apply for a tourist visa. what do u think?

Being granted a visa does not give you the right to enter the US. It gives you the right to attend the border and APPLY to enter the US. It's up to the border officials whether you come in after knocking on their door. It sounds like they were totally correct to deny your friend entry, as she had circumstances (passing foreign exams etc) that made it look like she had plans to stay and work.

When you apply for a tourist entry, it is your responsibility to prove that you will leave at the end. Apparently your friend couldn't.

With regard to you, and what I'd advise? If you want to go for a vacation, by all means apply for a tourist visa and take evidence that you have ties to your country and will return after your holiday. If you plan to stay and work (which it sounds like you do) then wait until visas are available and apply.

As to rogue2578, who lied to border agents, this is not a smart move. It's called immigration fraud.

Nurse!Nurse!Hello? · Oct 25, 2009

I find it all ridiculous. Not all Filipino nurses wants to live or work in the US.

Maybe not all... but judging from the numerous posts in this forum, there are many people who seem to think of nursing as just a quick way to get to the US. At one time it was, but that is no longer the case.

The reality is that applicants for "tourist" visas from certain countries are looked at more carefully than others--and rightfully so! Some countries--not only the PI, but other poor countries as well--pose more of a risk for visa fraud than others. For example, people from France or the UK are less likely to try and stay in the US once their "vacation" is over. Unfortunately, the people from countries like the Philippines who have overstayed their visas in the past have ruined it for people who actually only want to come to the US for a vacation. So, who's to blame? Not the US government!

rogue2578 · Oct 26, 2009

Posted by ghilbert

As to rogue2578, who lied to border agents, this is not a smart move. It's called immigration fraud.

TO GHILLBERT!!!

I'm just curious how would you handle the situation? What would you say to immigration if you have no occupation,just went to Guam on a 3 day vacation?

Hushdawg · Oct 26, 2009

I'm just curious how would you handle the situation? What would you say to immigration if you have no occupation,just went to Guam on a 3 day vacation?

"I'm between jobs right now, that's why I need to take a short vacation to clear my head so I can do really well on the interviews after I get back to [name of city]"

or

"I plan on starting a new job within a week or two of getting back home."

Whichever is within the realm of truth.

I had one guy confess that he told immigration: "What difference does that make? I'm coming to relax; not to work!"

Surprisingly the immigration official was satisfied with that response.

Always be honest, that's the main thing.

rogue2578 · Oct 26, 2009

Posted by Hushdawg"I'm between jobs right now, that's why I need to take a short vacation to clear my head so I can do really well on the interviews after I get back to [name of city]"

It was not smart but it worked SO?...nobody can judge anybody and commented on what I did during at that time if right or wrong...Besides i was couple of days short before officially enrolling into graduate school..so entirely wasn't lying ( I just don't have my registration papers with me ) Thank you very much for all your judgment..I welcome them more ... ^_-

Hushdawg · Oct 27, 2009

Posted by Hushdawg"I'm between jobs right now, that's why I need to take a short vacation to clear my head so I can do really well on the interviews after I get back to [name of city]"
It was not smart but it worked SO?...nobody can judge anybody and commented on what I did during at that time if right or wrong...Besides i was couple of days short before officially enrolling into graduate school..so entirely wasn't lying ( I just don't have my registration papers with me ) Thank you very much for all your judgment..I welcome them more ... ^_-

Umm...

You asked "How would you handle it"

I responded with the way I would handle it.

now you jump on me for "judging you?"

Not the best way to win friends and influence people.

allnurses Guide · Oct 27, 2009

It was not smart but it worked SO?...nobody can judge anybody and commented on what I did during at that time if right or wrong...Besides i was couple of days short before officially enrolling into graduate school..so entirely wasn't lying ( I just don't have my registration papers with me ) Thank you very much for all your judgment..I welcome them more ... ^_-

Sorry if you don't like it, but I would tell the truth. I am not judging you - I just said lying to immigration officials is not smart. It isn't.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

Why do people in general sometimes act like they have a right to a tourist visa? Having a visa period isn't a right, it's a priviledge, and if you abuse that priviledge and are caught, there are consiquences that must be paid. You can't complain, whine, or moan. There are many foreigners who have abused that priviledge and are here on expired visas. It doesn't matter what country they're from, the point is that they've all ruined it for the people who want to come here on a tourist visa and have all intentions of returning home before it expires. Foreigners shouldn't get upset if immigration denies them a visa, that's their job, to weed out all the ones they feel wont return home. The ones trying to obtain the visas shouldn't be mad at immigration, or citizens of the US, they should be mad at the foreigners who abused the visa in the first place.

keeksbrit · Oct 27, 2009

^^^^^^^ What they said! I totally agree. Too many people feel like they have a right to live in the USA and will step on toes, bend rules and even break the law to get there. I had to leave the USA, and graduate nursing school, as I could not afford to continue paying for it and I was not prepared to break the law and work on my student visa. I wish I had reported at least 10 other international students who did choose to break the law by working. In my personal opinion anyone who feels they are above the law in any way should be kicked out! Comitting a crime and being dishonest are not qualities the immigration officials are eager to look for in future legal residents of their country!!!!!!! Just because you want to live in the USA does not give you the right to lie in order to achieve that. Sorry if that offends you but I am disgusted.

Hushdawg · Oct 28, 2009

Why do people in general sometimes act like they have a right to a tourist visa? Having a visa period isn't a right, it's a priviledge, and if you abuse that priviledge and are caught, there are consiquences that must be paid. ...
...Foreigners shouldn't get upset if immigration denies them a visa, that's their job, to weed out all the ones they feel wont return home. The ones trying to obtain the visas shouldn't be mad at immigration, or citizens of the US, they should be mad at the foreigners who abused the visa in the first place.

:yeahthat:

Totally.

Completely.

100%

Agree.

As a Stranger in a Strange Land myself I have to be well aware of my immigration status and make sure that I am doing everything correct and legal to remain in this country.

If I step outside the lines even once I'll get drop-kicked back to the USA fast.

The USA grants so many rights and freedoms to those who are here legally and even illegally. Where else in the world can illegal immigrants protest for the "right" to have citizenship?

Nothing worth having comes easy or cheap. Immigration is a hard and long process and it is only a hard and long process because of so many abuses to the system in the past.

Want to get mad at someone? Get mad at those who have abused the system, not the system itself.

Want to help? Turn in anyone you know violating their visa.

rogue2578 · Oct 28, 2009

Posted by keeksbrit Just because you want to live in the USA does not give you the right to lie in order to achieve that. Sorry if that offends you but I am disgusted.

I don't wish to live in the US. I just flew to the US for a vacation and to do shopping...and over and over I didn't lie completely because it was few days shy the registration day.