Bottom line: If you’re reading this because you saw Mike Tessitore in an interview—on The Filipina Pea’s channel, Patreon, or elsewhere—and you’re now deciding whether Olvis is actually the right fit versus another agency, an attorney, or doing it yourself, this post is for you.

Here’s exactly what to check, because “I saw them on YouTube” is a starting point for trust, not a substitute for verifying it. 

Quick Answers

Should I use a visa agency or hire an immigration attorney instead?

An attorney unfamiliar with Philippine-specific requirements often bills hourly and can miss local document details. A specialist working these cases daily tends to charge a flat fee and catch those details before they cause delays.

How do I know if a visa consultant in Cebu is legit?

Check for a named, findable person on camera, a physical office, and verifiable third-party accreditations, not just marketing claims.

What makes a visa agency trustworthy?

A guarantee on their own paperwork, a real track record with numbers attached, and recognized professional affiliations, not just self-described expertise.

“I have a gut feeling you’re more reliable than most—but how do I actually verify that?”

A good instinct is a fine starting point. Here’s what to check beyond it:

Is there a real, named person behind the business, on camera, answering real questions?
Not a logo, not a stock photo team page—an actual person you can watch explain the process and respond to specific situations.

Do they have a track record with a number attached to it, not just a claim?
Olvis has processed 15,000+ K-1, K-2, and spousal visa applications since 1985, backed by a guarantee: if a case is denied because of a paperwork defect on our end, we stand behind it.

Are they affiliated with recognized organizations, not just self-described as “experts”?
Olvis is a member of the American Society of Immigration Professionals (ASIP) and is registered with the Philippine Department of Tourism, the [Philippine Retirement Authority](https://pra.gov.ph), the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the [National Privacy Commission—verifiable affiliations, not marketing copy.

Do they have a physical, findable office, or only a website and a phone number?
Olvis operates from Ayala Mall, Cebu City—an actual location you or your fiancée can visit. None of this replaces your own judgment. It’s meant to give you concrete things to check instead of relying on a gut feeling alone—for us or for anyone else you’re considering.

“I’m shopping around—how do I compare you against another agency?”

Fair question, and worth asking of anyone you’re considering, not just us. A few things worth comparing directly:

Flat fee vs. hourly billing
Some providers, especially US-based attorneys unfamiliar with Philippine-specific requirements, bill per call or per question. Olvis charges one flat assistance fee, disclosed upfront.

Philippine-specific experience vs. general immigration experience.
A US attorney may know immigration law broadly but not the local specifics—PSA document formats, embassy-specific interview patterns, and Philippine annulment requirements for previously married partners. A Cebu-based specialist working these cases daily tends to catch these details before they cause delays.

What’s actually included?
Ask any provider directly: do they prepare and organize all paperwork, schedule your fiancée’s biometrics and interview, and brief her before the embassy interview—or do you still have to handle parts of it yourself? Get this in writing before you commit, from whoever you choose.

If another provider gives you clear, specific answers to these same questions, that’s a good sign regardless of who they are. Vague answers, pressure to decide immediately, or no clear breakdown of what’s included are the actual red flags to watch for—more useful than which agency name you’ve heard of.

“Is there a real difference between the free consultation and paying you?”

The free consultation is where we (or, frankly, whoever you’re considering) should be able to tell you three things without asking for payment first: which visa applies to your specific situation, what it will likely cost given your case’s specifics, and what documents you’ll need to start gathering. If a provider won’t give you that much before you pay, that’s worth noticing.

“My partner was denied a visa before—does that make me a bad candidate for anyone I work with?”

No—but it does mean you need someone who will ask why the prior denial happened before filing anything new, not someone who treats every case identically. This is one of the clearest situations where a general online guide or a generic agency process falls short: a repeated mistake is far more damaging than the original denial.

What to actually do next

Whether you choose Olvis or someone else, the right next step is the same: a real conversation where someone reviews your specific situation and gives you a clear, written breakdown of cost, timeline, and what’s included—before you pay anything. That’s what our free consultation is built to do.

Book a free visa consultation with Olvis now.
Or call toll-free 1-877-226-6751, 10 AM–6 PM Manila Time; the line is open daily, including Sundays and holidays. It’s a direct line from Las Vegas, Nevada, to our Cebu City office. So this isn’t your annoying salesperson.

The Top 5 Hesitations Everyone Has Before Choosing a Consultant

“The fee feels high compared to just doing it myself.”
It’s not just paperwork prep you’re paying for—it’s the total value: scheduling, interview briefing, and a guarantee on our own document defects. Compare the full scope of what’s included against any other option’s price, not just the sticker number.

“I’ve heard success stories, but will it actually work for my case?”
Ask any provider for real, specific numbers—not just testimonials. Ours: 15,000+ processed cases, 99% success rate, backed by a written guarantee. If your visa is denied because of our mistake, we’ll refile it at no additional cost.

“I don’t fully trust an agency I only know from a YouTube video.”
That’s the right instinct to have, and it’s exactly what this article walked through—verify the named person, the accreditations, and the physical office, for us or for anyone else.

“Maybe I don’t need an agency at all—my case seems straightforward.”
Straightforward cases are exactly where DIY works best. The value of a specialist shows up when something isn’t straightforward—a document oversight, a scheduling conflict, or a detail specific to Philippine paperwork that a general guide won’t mention.

“I (or my partner) already had a visa issue before—will that follow us here?”
A past denial or issue doesn’t disqualify future success, but it does mean whoever you work with needs to understand exactly what happened the first time. That’s a direct question worth asking any provider before you commit.

Real Words From Couples Who’ve Been Through This

“Mike, ‘Thank you’ for assisting me here in the US; no immigration attorney can even come close to all the support and personal attention you have given me. My wife is with me now and doing well.” — Ronald & Belinda

“I told Mike that I would not need his services, as I am an attorney practicing in Los Angeles and could do it myself… after he further explained the whole visa procurement process to me in detail, I realized that I really needed help.” — Joseph and Roma

“She was the only one of two who had all her documentation and was actually prepared for the interview… The help and preparation they supplied made the process fast and pain-free.” — Richard and Indira Calkins, Orange County, California

Where to Go Next

Already decided and just need next steps? K-1 Visa Scheduling: How Olvis Books Your Interview, Biometrics, and Medical Exam

Olvis Is a Proud Member / Affiliate Of

– ASIP — American Society of Immigration Professionals

– American Society of Immigration Professionals 

– Department of Tourism, Philippines

– Philippine Retirement Authority (est. 1985)

– Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (est. 1903)

– Love The Philippines—Philippine Department of Tourism

– National Privacy Commission, Philippines

– Cebu Council of Lions Clubs Presidents—Lions Clubs International

Sources & Further Reading

Official Government Source: [Philippine Retirement Authority] (https://pra.gov.ph)

Official Government Source: [National Privacy Commission, Philippines] (https://privacy.gov.ph)

This article is for general informational purposes. Every provider and every case is different—the questions above are meant to help you evaluate any visa consultant, not just Olvis, before you commit.

Most K-1 fiancée visa denials trace back to one of seven avoidable mistakes: an undisclosed old arrest, a photocopied divorce decree instead of the original, weak proof of an ongoing relationship, a missed FBI clearance, locked-down social media accounts, a missing document at the embassy interview, or trying to handle a complicated case alone. Every one of these gets caught. None of them has to end your case if you catch it first.

The rules changed hard over the last two years. Biometrics and the embassy interview are now separate appointments. Missing documents mean no interview at all, not a reschedule on the spot. Visa applicants list every social media handle on their application, with privacy-setting requirements expanding by category.

This post walks through the traps that actually cost people their fiancée’s visa, drawn straight from 40 years of case experience, so you and anyone you know going through this can skip the pain. Or watch our latest collaboration with the Filipina Pea YouTube page here.

Quick Answers

What income do I need to sponsor a K-1 fiancée visa?

Your income needs to meet 100% of the federal poverty guideline for your household size on Form I-134, the Affidavit of Support. For 2026, that’s $21,640 for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states [1].</sup> If your income falls short, a joint sponsor’s or a household member’s income can cover the shortfall.

How long does the K-1 visa process take right now?

Current cases run 10 to 18 months on average from filing to your fiancée’s arrival, with complex cases stretching to 24 to 36 months. Which National Visa Center staffer and which embassy officer your file lands with play a real role too, and that part isn’t something you get to predict or influence.

What if I have an old or expunged criminal record?

You disclose it anyway. Expunged doesn’t mean erased in USCIS’s eyes. If a court can’t produce the record, you need a notarized statement from the courthouse confirming that. Leaving it off the application, even something 40 years old, reads as fraud if the government finds it, and it usually finds it.

Does my fiancée’s social media get checked?

Yes. Every K-1 applicant lists social media usernames and handles for each platform used, directly on Form DS-160 [3].</sup> Recent State Department expansions have also required some visa categories to set profiles to public for consular review, so confirm the current requirement for your specific case before the interview.

What happens if I’m missing a document at my embassy interview?

You don’t get the interview. The old system let you go home, get the missing document, and reschedule the same appointment. The current rule is stricter: missing documents mean automatic rescheduling, and you go through biometrics again before the new interview date.

The Criminal Record Trap: Why Expunged Doesn’t Mean Erased

Disclose every arrest and conviction on your application, no matter how old or how minor it seemed at the time. USCIS finds records that courts told you were gone.

A conviction from decades ago, even one you paid a fine for and had expunged, still needs to be reported. If the courthouse genuinely can’t locate the file, get a notarized letter from the court confirming that. What you can’t do is decide on your own that something is too old or too small to matter. Cases with multiple convictions, including drug offenses, have been approved when the applicant disclosed everything up front. Cases with a single hidden record have collapsed when the government catches the omission later and treats it as fraud, which is far harder to recover from than the original offense.

The same standard applies to your fiancée. She needs a police clearance from the Philippines, and it needs to be genuine, not altered or forged in any way.

Original Divorce Decree: Why a Photocopy No Longer Works

If you’ve been divorced, you need the original divorce decree, signed by the judge, with the embossed court seal, not a scanned copy or a photocopy you made years ago. That standard used to be looser. It isn’t now.

This gets complicated with multiple marriages. A short marriage from decades back that ended quietly still counts. You need documentation for every one of them, even a marriage that lasted a matter of days when you were a teenager. If a courthouse can’t locate that old record, get a notarized statement confirming there’s no record on file. Skipping a marriage because you assume it won’t surface is one of the fastest ways to turn a routine case into a fraud investigation.

Proving a Real Relationship: What Actually Counts as Evidence

Show ongoing, substantive communication with your fiancée over time, not just photos from a single trip. Most K-1 denials come down to a thin paper trail, not a fake relationship.

Print every message thread: Messenger, WhatsApp, email. Handwritten letters used to be the gold standard; now embassy officers expect printed digital conversations instead, since almost nobody writes physical letters anymore. Phone records showing you called each other aren’t enough on their own, since a log doesn’t prove what was said. The conversations need real content: plans, daily life, the kind of exchange that shows two people actually building something together. From the time you file the petition, expect at least 7 months of this kind of documented contact before your case moves forward.

The Three Interviews You Didn’t Know About

Your fiancée goes through three separate interviews, not one: a medical exam, the embassy interview, and a Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) interview [4].</sup> Missing or failing any one of them stalls the whole case.

The medical exam includes a physical check and, depending on what the physician observes, a psychiatric evaluation. The embassy interview is the one most people picture: a consular officer assessing whether the relationship is genuine and whether the paperwork holds up. The CFO interview is specific to the Philippines and exists to confirm your fiancée understands what she’s agreeing to and knows how to reach help if the relationship turns dangerous after she arrives. It’s a real government safeguard, not paperwork theater, and skipping preparation for it is a common reason Filipino fiancées get delayed at the last stage.

FBI Clearance: The Requirement Most Petitioners Don’t See Coming

You, the U.S. petitioner, now need an FBI clearance in addition to your local police clearance. This is a newer addition to the process and catches most people off guard, since it’s easy to assume your existing clearances already cover it.

Getting an FBI clearance takes real lead time. Start this early rather than treating it as a last-minute item once your embassy interview date gets set.

Social Media Privacy: What Changed and Why It Matters

List every social media handle you and your fiancée use, across every platform, on Form DS-160 [3].</sup> This applies to both people in the relationship, not just your fiancée, and covers accounts you no longer actively use.

The disclosure step exists for screening: consular officers check for red flags, like evidence of another relationship or content that contradicts the story in your application. Confirm the current privacy-setting requirement for your specific case before the interview, since State Department rules on this have expanded in recent years and continue to shift by visa category. If your fiancée keeps a locked-down account out of habit, walk her through what disclosure actually involves early, so it isn’t a surprise sprung on her days before an interview.

Missing Documents = No Interview, Not a Reschedule

Bring every required document to the embassy interview, complete and correct, the first time. The old process let you show up short a document, get sent home, and come back once you found it. That flexibility is gone.

Under the current rule, an incomplete file means you don’t get the interview at all. You go back through biometrics before a new appointment gets scheduled, adding weeks or months to a process that already runs 10 to 18 months at minimum. A checklist built from real cases, reviewed before the appointment, catches this before it costs you a rescheduling cycle.

Should You DIY, Hire a US Attorney, or Work With a Local Visa Consultant?

Handling it yourself

Filing your own K-1 petition is legal, and some petitioners do it successfully. The risk sits in the details: a single wrong or outdated form, a missed disclosure, or an incomplete relationship file returns your whole petition and costs you months. One Olvis client, a practicing attorney in Los Angeles, assumed he’d handle his own paperwork until he found out some of the forms the embassy gave him were outdated or simply wrong.

Hiring a US-based immigration attorney

A US attorney brings legal training, but most aren’t specialists in Philippine-specific requirements: the CFO interview, local police clearance procedures, or how Philippine courts issue original divorce records. Attorney fees also tend to run high, with additional charges for phone consultations.

Working with a local visa and immigration consultant

A consultant based in the Philippines, working K-1 and K-2 cases specifically, brings familiarity with both sides of the process: US immigration requirements and the Philippine bureaucratic steps (CFO, local police clearance, document authentication) that a US-only attorney rarely handles directly. Language support matters too, since a language barrier during interview prep creates real risk of miscommunication.

Common Concerns, Addressed Directly

“This is going to cost too much.” Compare the cost of professional help against the cost of a returned petition: months of delay, a second full round of biometrics, and the emotional toll of another wait. A single paperwork mistake, caught late, usually costs more in lost time than the fee for getting it reviewed the first time correctly.

“I’ve heard bad things about visa agencies, or tried one before, and it fell apart.” That happens, and it’s a fair concern given how many document prep services exist with no real accountability. Ask any consultant directly: what happens if the visa gets denied? A firm confident in its process backs that confidence with a guarantee, not just reassurance.

“My case is complicated. Will this even work for me?” Cases with multiple past marriages, old criminal records, or prior visa denials get approved regularly, as long as everything gets disclosed honestly and documented properly from the start. The failures come from hiding something, not from having a complicated history.

“I don’t trust a company I found online.” Check for verifiable affiliations: real professional memberships, a physical office address, named staff you can call directly. A company with nothing to verify beyond a website is a red flag in an industry with real fraud risk.

“I don’t actually need help. I can handle the forms myself.” Maybe you can. The forms themselves aren’t the hard part. Knowing which document a Philippine courthouse will actually issue, what an embassy officer looks for in relationship evidence, and how to prep your fiancée for three separate interviews is where DIY cases tend to lose months.

One honest note: this kind of service isn’t the right fit for every situation. Olvis works with couples who are transparent and building a genuine, long-term relationship. It doesn’t support applications built on hidden facts or a relationship that isn’t real, and no legitimate consultant should promise to help you hide something from an immigration officer.

Real Words From Couples Who’ve Been Through This

Richard and Indira Calkins, of Orange County, California, watched ten fiancées get interviewed at the Manila embassy the same day as Indira. Only two of the ten showed up with complete documentation and were actually ready. Indira was one of them, and her interview went smoothly because of it.

“𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰…”“I am glad to say Olvis Immigration & Travel Services has helped me and my Fiancé with her K1 Fiancé Visa, and everything went smoothly. Out of the 10 ladies interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Manila for their K1 Fiancé Visa on the day of my fiancé’s appointment. She was the only one of two who had all her documentation and was actually prepared for the interview.

Dan Borden credits the difference to preparation. Once his fiancée’s paperwork was organized properly ahead of time, she went into her interview without nerves and got through it cleanly.

“The call came the next afternoon and by Sunday we were 35,000 feet and on our way to San Francisco and the beginning of our new life.”

Joseph, a practicing attorney in Los Angeles, assumed his legal background meant he didn’t need help. He brought his own forms to double-check a few questions, and found that some of what the embassy had given him was outdated or simply incorrect. He ended up grateful for the second set of eyes on his paperwork.

“I told Mike that I would not need his services, as I am an attorney practicing in Los Angeles and could do it myself, but that I had several questions about the forms. Mike said that he would be happy to assist in any way that he could, so I brought out the forms that the Embassy had provided…Mike showed me that some of the forms they had given me were the wrong ones and others were outdated. Indeed, after he further explained the whole visa procurement process to me in detail, I realized that I really needed help. Again, my sincere gratitude and thanks to you and your staff for the excellent professional and courteous service you provided us throughout the entire process.”

Where to Go Next

Not sure yet whether K-1 is even the right visa for your situation, engaged versus already married, kids in the picture or not? Read Which US Visa Do I Need: Fiancée or Spouse? first to confirm you’re on the right track before applying anything in this post to your case.

Sources & Further Reading

1. USCIS I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support — Official Government Source. Basis for the income threshold figures cited above.
2. Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiancé(e) (K-1) — U.S. Department of State — Official Government Source.
3. DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application — U.S. Department of State — Official Government Source. Confirms the DS-160 applies to K visa applicants and requires social media handle disclosure.
4. Commission on Filipinos Overseas — Official Government Source (Republic of the Philippines). Background on the CFO’s role and its Guidance and Counseling Program for Filipinos marrying foreign nationals.
5. Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens — USCIS — Official Government Source.

Olvis Immigration and Travel Services is a proud member and affiliate of:

• ASIP — American Society of Immigration Professionals
• Department of Tourism, Philippines
• Philippine Retirement Authority (est. 1985)
• Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (est. 1903)
• Love The Philippines — Philippine Department of Tourism
• National Privacy Commission, Philippines
• Cebu Council of Lions Clubs Presidents — Lions Clubs International
• Rotary Club of Cebu West

Ready to find out where your case actually stands?

Book a free consultation with the Olvis team and get a clear read on your specific situation, your documents, and your timeline before you file anything.

Meet the Olvis team today.

This post gives general information about the K-1 fiancée visa process as of 2026. Fees, processing times, and specific document requirements change. Verify current requirements at uscis.gov and travel.state.gov before filing.

President Trump Imposes Ban on H-1B, L-1, H-2B and J-1 Entry Beginning June 24

UNITED STATES

• A presidential proclamation will suspend the entry of new H-1B, L-1, H-2B and certain J-1 nonimmigrants, as well as their spouses and dependents, from 12:01am EDT on June 24 through December 31, 2020, with limited exceptions. The proclamation also immediately extends an existing ban on certain immigrant entries through the end of this year.
• The ban does not affect foreign nationals holding valid U.S. visas or other travel documents, or those already present in the United States as of the effective date of the ban.
• The proclamation directs the immigration agencies to develop regulations to further restrict the H-1B program and to toughen standards for certain categories of employment-based permanent residence.

The issue

President Trump today signed a proclamation that will suspend the entry of foreign nationals in the H-1B, L-1, H-2B, J-1 categories, and related categories for dependents, with some exceptions.  The nonimmigrant ban takes effect at 12:01am EDT on June 24, and will be in place through December 31, 2020.

In addition, the proclamation extends the existing ban on certain immigrant entries through December 31, 2020, effective immediately. 

The proclamation is part of the Trump Administration’s response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition to the entry bans, President Trump also ordered the Department of Homeland Security  to promulgate regulations that could make it more challenging for foreign nationals to be sponsored for H-1B nonimmigrant status or for green cards in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. 

The proclamation and future regulatory actions are likely to be challenged in court.

Who is subject to the nonimmigrant ban

The proclamation restricts the entry of the following categories of nonimmigrants, if they are outside the United States as of 12:01am EDT on June 24 and do not hold a valid visa, advance parole or other U.S. travel document:

• H-1B and H-2B nonimmigrants;
• L-1A executives and managers;
• L-1B specialized knowledge workers;
• J-1 interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs and Summer Work Travel participants; and
• Their dependent spouses and children. 

The impact on Canadian nationals seeking admission in these categories – who are not required to obtain a visa to enter the United States – is not yet clear.

Exemptions and waivers

The following categories of foreign nationals are exempt from to the entry ban:

• Foreign nationals present in the United States at 12:01am EDT on June 24, 2020.  This includes those in the United States awaiting a change of status under the FY 2021 H-1B cap;
• Foreign nationals holding a valid visa, advance parole or other U.S. travel document on June 24, even if they are outside the United States when the ban takes effect;
• U.S. lawful permanent residents;
• The spouse or child of a U.S. citizen;
• J-1  exchange program participants other than interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs and summer work travel participants; and
• Foreign nationals entering to provide temporary labor or services essential to the U.S. food supply chain.

The proclamation also provides for discretionary waivers of the restrictions for foreign nationals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, including those who are necessary to facilitate the immediate and continued economic recovery of the United States, those involved with clinical care or  research related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and those who are critical to the defense, law enforcement, diplomacy or national security of the United States.

Waiver procedures are expected to be developed by the State Department in consultation with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security. Waivers are to be decided on a case-by-case basis and are likely to be challenging to obtain.

Duration of the nonimmigrant entry ban

The nonimmigrant ban will take effect at 12:01am EDT on June 24 and will remain in place through the end of this calendar year. The administration could elect to extend or broaden the ban in the future.

Extension of the immigrant entry ban

The proclamation extends through December 31 an earlier ban on immigrant entry, which was set to expire today. U.S. consulates will not issue employment-based, family-based or Diversity Lottery immigrant visas during this period, with limited exceptions for U.S. lawful permanent residents;  spouses of U.S. citizens; children under 21 of U.S. citizens and prospective adoptees in the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications; foreign nationals seeking to enter on an immigrant visa as a healthcare professional, as well as their spouse and unmarried children under 21; applicants for EB-5 immigrant visas; and those whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest.

Forthcoming regulations restricting nonimmigrant programs

As part of the Trump Administration’s effort to give priority to U.S. workers, the proclamation orders the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to develop regulations to ensure that H-1B nonimmigrants and EB-2 and EB-3 immigrants do not disadvantage U.S. workers.  These regulations could impose more stringent H-1B eligibility criteria and wage obligations, change the way the H-1B quota is allocated to give priority to certain classes of beneficiaries, impose obligations on the vendors of companies placing H-1B workers at end-client locations, as well as on end-client companies themselves, increase worksite enforcement investigations, and toughen labor certification standards for permanent residence in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories.  Some of these regulations could be implemented on a fast track.

What the proclamation means for employers and foreign nationals

Today’s proclamation means that many foreign nationals with plans to enter the United States to begin work in H-1B, H-2B, L-1 or J-1 status, as well as their accompanying or joining dependents, may be unable to do so until the ban expires, unless they are sponsored for and obtain a waiver of the entry restrictions, or unless the ban is enjoined by a court.

Though the proclamation does not affect foreign nationals who are present in the United States or already hold valid visas, future regulations could make it more difficult for these individuals to change to or extend H-1B status or be sponsored by their employers for permanent residence in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories.

As a reminder, foreign nationals who are exempt from the new proclamation remain subject to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions, which could impede their ability to enter or reenter the United States.

The Tourist/Visitor Visa for a Filipina

We get many inquiries about tourist/visitor visas. Just think about this for a moment, a properly prepared visa application with an applicant that meets all of the requirements only has a 70% chance of being approved. Now the U.S. Embassy took your money to do this visa and suddenly you have nothing but they have your money! Yes, you can reapply as many times as you want with a good possibility of the same outcome.

The tourist/visitor visa is VERY difficult for Filipinos to obtain. Most tourist visa applications in the Philippines are denied. The reason for this is there are currently over 300,000 Filipinos in the U.S that got there on a tourist visa, and stayed.

There are many factors the consul will look at when they interview a tourist visa applicant. The applicant’s age, sex, marital status, financial status, all will be considered when a consul looks at an application.

If the applicant is young, single, and female, it is guaranteed she will be denied unless she is from a wealthy family, a high ranking government official or a Philippine movie star and even they are frequently denied. If the applicant indicates he or she has a fiancé that is a U.S. citizen, it is guaranteed that the application will be denied and she will be advised to file a K-1 visa.

Consuls are instructed to assume a tourist B2 applicant is trying to use the tourist B2 visa to immigrate; it is up to the applicant to provide the proper documentation to prove that they have valid, compelling reasons to return to the Philippines.

This evidence must be in the form of strong ties to the Philippines. The applicant must demonstrate that they have NO REASON to want to stay in the U.S and compelling reasons to return to the Philippines. Home/property ownership, a successful business, a good paying job that the applicant has been on for a long time, strong family and community ties to the Philippines, such as being a Lions club or Rotary club member. All of this evidence must be shown before a visitor visa may be granted. Even then, there is no guarantee that a visa will be granted.

The owner of a very large firm here in Cebu city was denied a tourist visa to take his wife and three children to Disneyland for only 2 weeks, why? Because he had 5 million U.S dollars in his Philippine bank account, the consul told him that he was going to go to the states and stay with the money! Now this man has a business in Cebu that caters to American clients this is why he has all the U.S dollars, his business has many employees and he has been in business for many years, he owns a very beautiful home that is valued at 30 million pesos this is about $750,000.00 and he was still turned down.

Most of our clients apply for fiancée or spousal visas after being denied a tourist visa as this method is guaranteed for qualified applicants.

We recently had a client who had applied five times and was denied every time only because she did not properly answer the questions. With a little coaching her application was approved, they got the visa. Trust me this is not always the case but many of the applications say the wrong thing and are denied because of just plain dumb answers.

When you get to the interview the consul has already read you’re on line application and has made his decision. This is why many applicants tell us that the consul did not even look at my documents. The reason they do not look at your pile of documents proving your eligibility when you walk in for the interview is because your initial on line application was flawed and the consul has already made his decision.

In conclusion, let me say this if you want to try for a Tourist/Visitor visa get some professional help it can make all the difference.