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What to Expect at Your Immigration Medical Exam Overseas

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 16 Jan, 2022
IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT YOUR IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAM, READ THIS GUIDE FOR AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT.
waiting

Can I Choose the Interview Date for my Spouse or Fiance Visa?

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 09 Jan, 2022
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SELECT THE INTERVIEW DATE FOR YOUR IMMIGRATION CASE, BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF CASE.

I-751 Petition and Divorce

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 08 Jan, 2022
IF YOUR MARRIAGE IS ENDING IN DIVORCE AND YOU DO NOT WANT TO LOSE YOUR LAW PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, YOU STILL HAVE OPTIONS. Marriages do not always work out. Does this necessarily mean that you will certainly lose your green card?

Is the US Embassy Manila Closing?

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 29 Jun, 2019
By: Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq. MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE CONFUSED, SO LET’S DO A FACT CHECK. I have also been getting this question a lot in my law practice, and the fear is well understood: Anytime any type of immigration office closes, the processing work has to be transferred somewhere. There is certainly a conceivable [..] The post Is the US Embassy Manila Closing? appeared first on Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa.

Military Spouse Naturalization 101

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 26 Jun, 2019
By: Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq. MILITARY SPOUSES ARE THE HEART AND HANDS OF A FAMILY WHEN THE SERVICE MEMBER IS AWAY. With USCIS international offices reportedly closing later this year—-offices that historically provided essential immigration services to U.S. Citizens and military overseas–there is a growing concern among military families of a need to organize and process [..] The post Military Spouse Naturalization 101 appeared first on Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa.

Options for Undocumented Immigrants

By jenniferfabianverzosa • 03 Jul, 2017
By: Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq. FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT THE REQUISITE IMMIGRATION PAPERS, OR EXPIRED IMMIGRATION PAPERS, IS FRUSTRATING AND FRIGHTENING. Oftentimes, these immigrants experience paranoia and fear trying to do everyday things, like trying to obtain a driver’s license or identification, obtaining medical care, working, buying property, and even traveling [..] The post Options for Undocumented Immigrants appeared first on Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa.
LEGAL SERVICES
Can an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Qualify for a Tourist Visa to the USA?
Feb 18, 2016

By: Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq.

 

In 2013, there were over 4 million Filipino workers employed in other countries worldwide on a “temporary” basis. Over 3 million of those Filipinos were employed in Asia , including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, China, and Saudi Arabia.[FN1]

 

 If you are a Filipino citizen working and residing in another country, i.e., if you are an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), also known as an OCW (Overseas Contract Worker), you MAY be able to qualify for a Tourist Visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate NOT in your home country.

 

It might come as a surprise to learn that it is actually fairly common for a person to apply for a B2 Visa outside of their home country. It happens every day. However, the type of applicants who get approved are those who are able to show a more long-term permanent residence in the place where they submit their application . The reason is because they have to satisfy the requirement of nonimmigrant intent (i.e., intent to return home promptly after their U.S. trip).

 

 

Additionally, applicants would have to show sufficient resources to fund their trip . That is yet another different hurdle to overcome.

 

 

 While it is not “impossible” for an overseas Filipino worker (or any foreign worker in general) to get a Tourist Visa approved at a U.S. embassy other than the one in Manila or their country of citizenship, the biggest concern would be trying to meet the intent to return requirement . This is definitely an issue if someone is only working in the foreign country on a temporary basis.

 

 

 So….can an overseas worker apply and qualify for a U.S. Tourist Visa at, for example, a U.S. embassy in Dubai or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)? Of course. To date, there is no stated policy against it.

 

However, a U.S. Immigration Attorney would be the best resource for determining:

  • Whether a worker can satisfactorily meet the requirements; and
  • Using precisely what evidence

 

Documenting intent to return to your foreign residence requires an understanding of U.S. immigration law.

 

Oftentimes applicants are qualified but provide the wrong evidence, or insufficient evidence. This type of reckless behavior leaves you susceptible to even more questioning.

The success of your application also requires an awareness of the procedures at the particular U.S. embassy you are applying at , including good preparation for your consular interview .

 

It would be a mistake to simply rely on the advice of friends with seemingly similar, but very different situations, or those only repeating stories heard through the grapevine. Your behavior and disclosures during the visa application process can affect your future filings with the US Department of State. You do not want to create a negative record, especially if you want to enter the U.S. in the future .

 

*For Article Requests , Republications , or Speaking Engagement s , please email: jennifer@law-jf.com
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[FN 1] “Stock Estimate of Filipinos Overseas As of December 2013” (PDF). Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Retrieved 2-17-2016.
 

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** Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq. is a FIL-AM U.S. Immigration Attorney who SPEAKS TAGALOG and assists foreign individuals (including Filipino citizens) interested in nonimmigrant visas to the U.S.   She is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa .**
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DISCLAIMER : This blog provides general information and is not intended to be legal advice. Use of the information does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Any cases mentioned do not guarantee or predict outcomes in future cases. Please consult an attorney before acting on any material. Please do not submit any time-sensitive or confidential information in the comments below. Any information you send may be publicly-visible and is not protected from disclosure. Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa is the attorney responsible for the content and material on this blog. She is licensed in D.C. and HI, and exclusively practices immigration law in federal jurisdictions.
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