Hi Guys,
My partner will be going for an interview end of the month. We've had some conflicting accounts about what she should do/say- She's a single Mum, I'm an American, we've been together several years, this is the first chance we've had to go back to my home together (sans kid, she's staying with Granny).
Any insight/ suggestions for her? Am I over worried?
Thanks in advance!
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What kind of visa (fiancee, or tourist)? What is her nationality?
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I have only interviewed for a Green Card, not a visa. In any case it was a 3-4 minute relaxed chat. Nothing traumatic. Just be honest.
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Wow! Interesting variety of experiences. Sorry about your experience, iwilltry. Punter, it is a tourist visa, she is a HK'er, and I am (obviously) a US citizen but also a HK permanent resident, if that makes any difference.
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Generally there should be no problem in securing a tourist visa for your partner.
If she's a local Hong Kong girl, with a child (not going on the trip), with her own flat, with a job, with a lot of cash on the bank. I overheard an interview before (a young HK boy applying for a student visa: Why do you want to study in the US?, Why not here in HK? Where are you going to stay there? Who's going to pay for your expenses? They were all valid questions to me...I just don't know why his visa was denied. Maybe it was the mother who kept on butting in (the officer even told her, "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to your son!")
The questions would be (1) Why are you going to the US?, (2) Do you have enough money to spend there?, (3) Where are you going to stay, (4) When are you coming back?, (5) etc. Make sure to impress upon the interviewer that you have a valid reason to travel, you have enough funds, you're coming back to HK.
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My only advise when trying for a US visa is,just be honest and calm when answering the questions,co'z the staff are trained to recognize people who have other intentions in going to the US, and being nervous might be seen as a warning sign ") your partners being a single mum should be a plus factor for her during the interview,co'z she does have a reason to come home") dont worry,just tell her to chill!
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Rainy
16 yrs ago
I got my tourist Visa coupla years back. I think best thing is to get your partner's company to write a letter of confirmation that she is allowed to take time off and will be back to resume her work. Basically they just want to make sure that she'll come back. If she's not working, maybe she can tell them that her kids are here so she'll have to come back.
I just got my tourist visa to the UK and they were even worse!!! I'm going to London for my friend's wedding so I brought along the invite just in case. They kept the actual invite even tho I made a copy for them!!!
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vak
16 yrs ago
I have had 4 experiences with them. ALl good. If you are honest and do not over try or lie its good. They are concerned about things which most countries will be. Funding of your trip, return ticket (even though its a stupid requirement. you can always trash the rtn ticket if you were intent on staying on illegally). Links to HK to prove she will return. My wife had been visiting USA from India and was given a multi entry tourist visas twice. Her visa was rejected on the 3rd attempt as they felt she was single, of a marraigable age and did not show any proper financial papers. In their opinion she was going husband hunting. We got married recently. We applied from HK and declared that a previous application had been rejected. The guy simply smiled and said would 10 yrs multi entry be OK with you this time.
She is going as a tourist if I am right NOT as a student. Two totally different things. Some form of joint bills in your names showing you have been together will also help.
BTW The visa simply gives you a right to land in USA. The officer there can also turn you away in case they feel any misleading info was given at time of visa being issued.
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Hey- My sincere thanks to all replies- I really appreciate it. We'll keep our fingers crossed and after her interview I'll post our experience as this thread is a good reference for anyone in the same boat. However feel free to continue to post as her interview is towards the end of the month!
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I have a HKSAR passport and I got my visa last summer with no problem.
They asked simple questions - where will you be staying / how long will you be staying / what kind of job i have in HK
I provided them with a company letter stating I was onlyt there for holiday, they took my namecard as well - and if they see that you had a few stamps on your passport, (showed that you have travelled around) with a decent job, and speak good enough English - they dont give you hassle at all.
I got a 10-year visa and the staff was very helpful once you got into the consulate - the staff at the reception desks (where you queue up to submit the forms) are scary though...
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i realize it's not the same country or immigration system, but we had a friend from PRC wanting to travel with us to Canada who had his visa app. rejected (no interview) and we we're told a letter of invitation FROM someone (parents/relatives?) in Canada MAY have helped the situation...probably couldn't hurt in your case either....
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Thanks a million everyone- We have letters, statements, everything, and the interview is tomorrow morning! We'll let you know how it goes, fingers crossed. Thanks again for all the replies.
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Hello Little Bill,
How was your experience at the US embassy?.....Did you get your US visa? I have a US visa interview on Tuesday, so was just curious.
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She got it. The interview itself took all of two minutes, and she wasn't grilled or anything, just where will you go, what do you do, very basic questions like that. She had a sheaf of documents (job letter, bank stuff, all of my info) and I guess appeared very together. She did say the lady next to her got rejected though, so it's obviously not a foregone conclusion. I guess your best bet would to be prepared, tell the truth and be cool.
Good luck sam_maz and once again thanks to everyone who responded.
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