Question by Lean Cassius: What is the best way for a Russian citizen to obtain a US visa?
A Russian friend of mine in Saint Petersburg is studying at a university there, and she was just denied a visa to visit the US after her interview at the US consulate. Is there anything I can do as an American citizen to help her with this, apart from being the one inviting her? She already had an invitation from an American citizen, and that did not work.
Answers and Views:
Answer by George L
foreigners don’t require invitations to apply for tourist visas to the US. Americans do require them to go to Russia, which is why so many Russians think they have to have one. however, there really isn’t anything you can do personally to ensure she’ll get a tourist visa. if you’d met her and wanted to marry her, you could file a fiance petition for her. but for a tourist visa, she’ll have to convince the officer that she intends to return after a short stay. it’s possible that your letter hurt more than it helped if the officer thought you really intended to marry her.
What do you think? Answer below!
going_for_baroque says
George is, as always, right. For an unmarried university student, proving compelling ties could be difficult. The best kind of ties are economic- a good job. Being a student, I'd guess her education is her main activity, with maybe an entry-level kind of job to support her. Maybe her parents are helping her. Either way, those aren't really going to compel her to return to Russia, are they?
Another avenue might be for her to study in the USA. An F-1 visa lets her study and live here awhile. But she'll need to show financial stability for the duration of her visa. This is where parents' help could count. The application is a bit more complicated, but might be worth a try. Ask her what she thinks.