Non-Immigrant (tourist) visa to the U.S.
 

A friend of mine is trying to come to the U.S. this summer (from europe) and having sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa is an issue.

They will barely need any money to spend here as I plan on putting them up and what not and so they would really only need about $500-$1000 to get them by for spending money so its really not an issue frankly - but showing sufficient funds is necessary in order to obtain the visa.

So if anyone has gotten a non-immigrant visa for the U.S. could you possibly tell me how much you showed you had in your bank account in order for them to grant you the visa? I've tried to contact the consulate and ask but of course it just resulted in people dodging the question, transfering the calls, and playing a recording - all of which proved worthless.

..and yes I do realize that there are other factors determing whether or not you are actually granted the visa - but I just can't seem to find any info as to the sum of money that must be substantiated.

Would be thankful if anybody could shed some light on this.

and before someone points it out-

I do realize I posted this in the European forum and I did so for a reason.

I'd much rather have a p.o.v. from a European who has gone through the process - and I figured i'd maybe get responses here more quickly from Europeans who frequently post in these forums though I do realize its a tad out of place! :)

I don't know the answer.

But ultimately the decision will be based on whether they think that you friend will overstay the visa.

I thought that most European countries are covered by the visa waiver program and you can come for 90 days without a visa. This doesn't apply in the case of a prior overstay or if the person was ever denied entry. (Remarkably, I read that the author Ian McEwan fell under this country -- there was a misunderstanding and I think that he must now apply for a visa.)

What's the situation with your friend? Is there anything that will set off a red flag for the consular officer?

Sorry -- McEwan fell under this *category.*

My friend is a Greek citizen, who is a young adult.Currently the country is not under the visa-waiver program because they were unable to meet the requirements - though they were originally considered for the program.

My friend has recently been rejected for a visa for lack of sufficient funds and I'm trying to get a general feeling of what they would view as sufficient? Another issue may be that they are unemployed atm (but that is because they were planning on traveling over the summer) - but i'm not sure if that had anything to do with it.I dont really see any red flags that would arise.

I'm not sure if lack of sufficient funds was the only reason - or if it was a false reason .. but it was the only reason that was given to them and they were told to reapply when they had sufficient funds.

But they had "sufficient funds" in my p.o.v. - but apparently it wasn't good enough. They had enough to cover them while they were here for their expenses and what not because I would be putting them up etc. which was on the application and I am willing to transfer them some funds.

I know its not the end of the world if they are unable to come to the U.S. this summer, but I thought it'd be nice since I've been to Greece numerous times and even stayed with them and their family before and I would like to return the favor. I will be going back to Greece this September, and if the visa was granted - we planned on going back together.

So i'm just trying to get a general idea from someone who has gone through the process as I can't seem to get any answers!

Thanks though! :)

Actually didn't know Greece is not part of VWP.

Again, I'm not the expert, but if that's the reason given, then it seems like he should be ok. But I don't know how much money he'd need to show. I think that the consular will consider some sort of affidavit of support, so perhaps that can be given.

Being unemployed is not a plus. It's not that he wouldn't have enough money, but the consular officer is always looking for ties to the home country (this could be -- relatives, friends, owning real estate, owning a bank account, a job, etc.). The fewer the ties, the more likely for the applicant to stay (in their view).

Anyway, I don't have any recent experiences, but it's obvious that the process has gotten tougher across the board. This is besides the point, but there's a tightening in terms of the granting of visas to prospective students and scholars. This has been widely publicized, and it's a sad situation. Perhaps people will realize the severity of the situation when the US becomes less competitive because of stringent visa policies.

I was kind of questioning that too. But one thing what I dont understand is sufficient ties to the country. As a young adult (21 yrs old) who still lives with their parents - theres not much that could be constituted as a tie to the country lol. Granted they do possess a bank account and have work history in the country and what not but for a person of this age I feel there is little to substantiate a tie to the country and I'm not sure how big of a role this plays in the granting of a visa.


Thanks for trying to help me out though. I appreciate it! :)

Well, someone young might be a student -- so you'd have to go back to school, and that would be a tie.

I think that the fact the friend is unemployed does count against him.

But you know these things are just mysterious. It's ultimately probably not in the best interest of the consulate to have their policies be open book (which can then be appealed, questioned, etc.).

Maybe someone can chime in. I do think that the consulate owes your friend some sort of explanation (if they gave a reason for rejection, then they should give some ideas as to how one can overcome the rejection).

Did you fill out an I-134 for your friend and include a letter stating that you would be supporting/hosting him for the time he is in the US?

The way this has been handled in a country that shall not be named in case some consular officer is listening is to have a friend or family member loan them some money to put in their account temporarily until they get the visa. The consular officer does look at ties and your friend is s*** out of luck because he can't show a job, nor ownership of property, nor his own family. If he is still a student that proof would handle the job issue.

Basically our consuls can be real SOBs to foreign nationals from certain countries. I've heard of incredibly unpleasant experiences and totally irrational decisions.

BTW your letter will do him more harm than good. They want to see that HE has the funds in HIS account. They want him to spend HIS money ehre not yours.

Yeah its just a huge mess and so aggrivating. I don't believe I filled out an I-134 form, but rather my personal information was provided on some other form which showed they would be staying with an American family etc and our bank statements were provided.

I'm not very familiar with the visa process at all, since its relatively simple for me, as an American to obtain a visa to most countries (if we need one at all) and so I'm trying to fully grasp our little process lol.

So I will fill out an I-134 form, but then what the hell do I do with it? Stupid question I know, but there is no address listed on the application to send it to - so does this mean I send this completed form that is notary public to my friend in Greece so they can set another NIV appointment and take this document along with them? Or rather am I supposed to submit it here in the U.S.?


Simply confused.

I think I will also wire them some funds in addition to them borrowing money from a family member which should take care of the insufficient funds issue. And hopefully the I-134 affidavit form will be sufficient evidence for their return to Greece.


Thanks for everyone's imput - I really appreciate it.

Liklihood of overstaying the tourist visa is the key issue here. They look for ties to the home country and reasons why the person would not stay in the US - and your proposed guest has several issues: youth, no family connections (wfe and chidren), no job (and presumably no school affiliation) and lack of funds. He is a prime candidate to stay here illegally and work off the books.

Typically they look for some combo of adult/family connections, stable job or attendance at university, funds sufficient to cover the cost of the trip. (Even though you say you will let this person stay with you - if some issue arises he is essentailly destitute.)

I think what he will need to show a return plane ticket and funds sufficient to support himself - even in a hostel and with modest meals - for the entire proposed length of his trip - probably at least $2,500 - $3,000 assuming he's saying he wants to stay for the summer.

It would be for maybe 2 months at the most, and according to the I-134 form I have to sign under oath that I will be financially responsible for them, and that I guarentee that they will maintain their non-immigrant status and will depart prior to its expiration.

So i'm hoping this will be sufficient proof of them returning - since I'll be held liable for it according to this form.

Also, they inquired about purchasing a ticket and providing them with the return ticket etc and they were told not to do so because they may not be granted a visa (which I'm glad they didn't because they were indeed rejected).

I find this thread very interesting and had the same question. Recently I returned from India and our guide was telling us pretty much the same thing about him coming to the U.S. on a tourist visa. Without money in the bank and property (which he doesn't have), he can forget it. He is a highly educated man (graduate degree) and has a brother and sister in the states both with graduate degrees (I'm assuming they came over pre 9/11.) I also was wondering if he would ever be able to come to visit them or at this point, it will be impossible for the rest of his life. I also wonder if it is even more difficult being an Indian citizen than Greek??

I think that it's difficult for Indian and Chinese nationals.

Also for nationals in muslim countries -- and this covers a country like Indonesia, for example. I heard second- or third-hand that a parent was turned down for a visa to attend a son's/daughter's graduation.

Send the completed I-134(notarized here) to your friend along with a letter written (and notarized)that gives the details of his visit. He will take these to the US embassy and hopefully be issued a visa. It is important to put in the letter a statement that he does intend to leave the US at the end of the visit and include compelling reasons for returning to his homeland. I have never had to get a tourist visa (as I live in US) but talk to clients on a daily basis that are inviting friends/relatives to the US for visits. None are coming from Greece (mostly African countries) but I know some of the people coming here have few resources in their homeland. But the visitor visas have been much abused so the person issuing the visa wants to be convinced that the person will return home. Good luck!

I made the first step trying to invite a distant relative for a visit. Went to the immigration office, pre-9/11. What I remember is: I got several forms to fill out. I would have to sign an affidavite to support him for 3 years if he won't go back home. Also there was something about either having $35,000 cash on account or working full time earning a minimum... maybe $35,000? Got mixed up over the years. I backed out.

We have many international students at my university. We have Catholic organizations that actually back them ($$$scholarship etc.) and take on the responsibility if they default. We have some from Nigeria and numerous Eastern African countries that can not return home to Africa for 2 or 3 year periods because of visa's the other way, as well. Once they are back home some of their own countries will not let them exit. That's why I sometimes bring them home for holidays etc.

And we have one UK student, who with her brother (also one of our students) and their entire family who have relocated to near Chicago, having visiting visa problems with their former and quite young English friends. So I don't think it is just Greece or India.

I would advise you to seek counsel with an immigration attorney...not a travel forum! All cases are different...you can find one easily through your local bar association. Good luck!