We haven’t been here for a while, have we? Actually there
was little to write – it was all trite and stale stories about VB (visa
bastards, not Victoria Bitter!) and I was not finding it amusing to write more
stories about them.
This week we will look into some helpful tips on visiting
relations in USA
– specially those who went there on Green Card / DV Lottery. We have talked
about this before, but I think a short update will do no harm.
The invitee / sponsor (Green Card holder / DV Lottery
winner) must be a close enough relation – someone like son, daughter, brother,
sister, parents, etc. Even close enough in laws can help, but a first cousin
twice removed is perhaps a no hoper from the onset. OK?
They must have been in US for at least 3 months before you
apply to visit them
A steady job with salary and bank details is required of the
sponsoring party (your relation in US)
Showing your own money carries little weight compared to
their financial stability in USA
An address, preferably with a spare room is quite helpful –
usually we give the apartment address if it has more than one bedroom. If the
US Green Card fellows are a largish family, then you are probably in bad
straits at the visa process!
Do not give esoteric addresses that are too far away from
the sponsor – same address as the host is always helpful
Do not be browbeaten at the visa interview – and if there
was some issue with them about over 6 or so years ago – viola, they are not
much likely to have your old details!!
Showing ties to Sri Lanka (or whatever your home
country is) is more important than showing income – and if you are relying on
income strength, then it needs to be reflected on your bank statements,
taxation, ad infinitum
Face the interviews with confidence, and don’t be scared off
by direct questions. First, they do not have as much info as they pretend to
have, secondly, clear straight forward answers help more than prevarications
Give a good enough reason to visit them in USA, a baby’s
birthday party is a no hoper, while a holiday visit is a good idea if you are
financially and socially stable in your own home country
Last but not the least, honesty probably is the best policy
when dealing with US embassy (not something I advice if you are dealing with UK fellows)
I hope this brief guide will become helpful to you when
applying for US visit visa to see someone who got there recently. Another thing
to consider is (not connected to visa process) when you go there, note that transport
may not be as cheap as your might think, neither are the fashionable clothes –
so getting around and shopping are not perhaps as good ideas as you might think
they are. But food and electronic items are dirt cheap compared to here (beware
of 110V voltage!) and if you have an Apple I-phone, its good idea to take it
there too. Computers and laptops are cheap if they are used, so are some home
appliances and mechanical tool kits. My advice is to go American if you are
buying anything like machine stuff. Built to last. Oh, and the visas are 5
years multiple entry. Well that takes some stress off you, doesn’t it.
