Filipina and the Business/Tourist (B-1/B-2) Visas

Let me start off with a disclaimer. If you are attempting to get a "tourist visa" for your Filipino friend to come see you in the United States it is going to be very difficult. The United States Government and Immigration know that if a Filipina lady (between the ages of 18 and 45) comes here for a visit there is a very strong likelihood she will end up getting married. The USCIS does not like it when tourists becomes brides :)

However, since I have known two people that have pulled off the tourist visa I will put the information about this process here on my website.

First, the B-1 visas are for business, and it is not unheard of for people from the Philippines to get a visa for business purposes. This could be anything like consult with business associates, negotiate a contract, buy goods or materials, settle an estate or even appear in a court trial.

B-2 visas are issued for pleasure/tourist travel, such as touring, visits to friends and relatives, visits for rest or medical treatment, social or fraternal conventions and conferences, and amateur/unpaid participants in cultural or sports events.

How do people get approved?

It seems like the number one factor is by proving a good financial status to the embassy. If you have land, a good job, come from a rich family, legally married in the Philippines, then your odds of being approved go way up. If you are a poor 22 year old Filipina lady, single, high school graduate, no job, do not own any property, and your family is poor, I put your
odds of approval at about ZERO.

A Filipina has to convince then embassy consular that she is not a "flight risk" or she will be denied a tourist visa. Of course there may be other factors like knowing the right person that may make a difference, but for the vast majority of people they do not have friends at the embassy :)

Basic things you will need for the Business/Tourist visa as explained by the U.S.Embassy in Manila.

1. Evidence of ties and financial status of the applicant, or the applicant’s parents, if minor, in the Philippines.

2. If the purpose of the travel is for: Business – a letter from the U.S. Organization indicating the purpose of the trip, the intended length of stay, and the firm’s intent to defray costs, if applicable. Applicants traveling on business for a Philippine-based employer should present a letter from the employer outlining the travel and business plans, including dates of travel.

Pleasure – documents concerning purpose and length of the trip and ability to cover the costs of the trip.

Medical treatment – please refer to the Medical Treatment page for more information.

Personal/domestic employee – please refer to the Traveling with Personal/Domestic Employees page for more information.

Notes:In certain cases, additional documents may be requested.

All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted, unless specified. The applicant must submit these documents to the interviewing consular officer during the interview. The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents before the interview. Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed. Please note, however,
that presentation of the documents will not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants must still qualify under INA Section 214(b).

The following might also be helpful and may be requested by the interviewing consular officer:

Pictures of family, home or business
Wedding photos
Proof of travel medical insurance for applicants who might be at risk of requiring medical care while in the United States

The following documents are not considered helpful:

Affidavits of support from relatives/sponsors in the United States (exception: Student visa applications). The Affidavit of Support is a requirement only for immigrant visas. The interviewing officer is less concerned about how the applicant will be supported during his/her stay in the United States than in whether s/he has reasons to return home.

Affidavits – In general, affidavits of any sort will be of little value to an applicant. We encourage the interested third parties to save their time and money and not to prepare such.

Letters of invitation (except for business travel).

Purchase of airline ticket. This should not be made until a visa has been issued and the applicant is in receipt of the visaed passport.

CHECK THE U.S. EMBASSY IN MANILA FOR ALL THE STEPS IN MAKING AN APPLICATION