My Dear Travel Besties,
Some of you have read about my Schengen Visa Requirements for Expats in the Middle East, especially the 3rd world class passport holder.
For that reason, I was asked why not share how I made it for the USA visa.
I've been FREELY coaching friends and colleagues over the past 10 years about the strategies that we have done and the possible questions, and most importantly, WHAT ARE THE CONSUL LOOKING FOR from you? Majority of these friends that I have coached have passed the USA 10-year visa, and I am certainly proud of that hard work LABOUR OF LOVE that has paid off.
The best way to explain how we manage to get the USA 10-year multiple entry visa (year 2010) even if we were holding a 3rd world class country passport (Philippines) with minimal bank account is to tell you the story.
New York, 2010If you can see in my Instagram Account: @travelwithethel, I had previous international travels prior to my USA visa application -- but all of them were budget travels. Back then from 2005, it was the start of my travel to the nearby countries next to Philippines. I had travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Thailand and some of them in repeated visits. It was still vivid to me up to this time how we stayed at the budget hotels just to avail of the travels. But as we travel, my mins was opened up to different values, perceptions, thinking mindset and all the possibilities in life.
So, that is my very first tip: Create an impression of being a traveler. Whether budget flight or not, it is not written anywhere in your passport if you had taken an economy seat, a budget travel of business class seat. All it leaves is an immigration stamp of the country/ies that you've been to 😉 Just travel.
Just to help you about hotel selection while considering your budget: I suggest that you try the hostel type. My favorite booking site is: BOOKING.COM, and throughout the years, I had made it a habit to review the most recent reviews of every hotel before I make any booking. Also, I usually choose the PAY LATER & FREE CANCELATION, just incase of any trip changes for whatsoever reason. You may also cross-check with Google about hotel reviews, but so far for me I am confident and happy with booking.com itself.
Second Tip: Do the research for the reason of your travel. During the interview, one cannot simply say, "I WANTED TO SEE THE USA, or give me the visa". You have to give a valid reason why the Visa consul should give you a visa. Bear in mind that you are applying as TOURIST VISA. It means that you are either a traveler or capable of traveling with sufficient funds -- and definitely has no intention of overstaying in their country should you are done with your travel duration.
I highly suggest that you google and type in the keyword: USA VISA possible visa interview questions" Go play with the keywords. Compile them in a file.
Thirdly, once you have compiled the possible Q&A's, you need to answer them in such a way that it is applicable to your case, a.k.a ANALYSIS / BRAIN STORM. It has to be smart & realistic. For example, you cannot say I wanted to celebrate my birthday at a Casino in New Jersey -- when you knew that your bank account is not even capable of buying a business class seat 😅. More hints later. It is also best if you have a buddy, or family that you can review these Q&A's with.
Also, research on famous destinations & the state it is located. The nearby states are also important in your research. This can help you to strengthen your reason.
Fourth tip, Once you are confident that you have successfully done the brain storming stage, it is also essential that YOU MEMORIZE & PRACTICE in front of the mirror. You might be given 30-60 seconds to explain yourself. This is what I call a "Miss Universe Q&A" part where you need to give your BEST ANSWER and you have to be CONFIDENT when giving in your answers.
Just remember that even the beauty pageants, they take time to prepare & practice everything before showing up at the final day. Unless you are a PRO, you don't have to do this. Not only to USA visa but for other matters as well -- a CONFIDENT Miss "U" answer works all the time.
HOW-TO-PRACTICE: Voice record all the possible questions and leave a pause between each questions for about a minute. Give yourself a chance to answer.
Once you have gathered all your Q&A, it is now time to practice in front of the mirror. Practice with a calm, confident face and answer with a light smile on your face.
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OUR STORY:
After doing the research at that time, there were a few articles that said it will be better to use the family as reason to travel. In our case, we said, WE PROMISED OUR DAUGHTER a trip to Disneyland on her 5th birthday. And voila! We were granted 10-years multiple entry USA visa.
(Note: Sometimes you will be asked, then why not visit the nearest Disneyland like HK?), so watch your ideas on that possibility, why insist on USA-Disneyland & not HK - when you don't have any previous travels.
SOME MORE TIPS:
You have to keep in mind that even before your interview day, since you already have submitted the application form & requirements, the consul has already assessed you and already have some judgment about you beforehand. Those questions that they will ask during the interview are just either revalidation to confirm if you are consistent with all the declarations that you wrote in the form, or they have some kind of doubt and they needed to cross-examine.
During the interview, this is your final chance for that MAKE OR BREAK DECISION to stand up for yourself. You might be given only 30-60 seconds to do this.
It is important that you research & familiarize yourself with the states before giving your reason to travel.
For example, if you say you waned to visit the Disney, bear in mind that there are 2 Disneys in the USA and they are at the 2 far away coasts. The Disneyworld is in Florida, while the Disneyland is in California. They are about 5-6 hours flights away and about 3-4hours timezone difference. So if you must say, I want to visit the Disneyworld and the Miami beach (they are close by to each other). But if you say I want to visit the Disneyland & Miami beach, they can ask you, how will you do that? by train or flight (which will require to prove more bank funds)...
Another example, one can say I want to visit the famous New York, the Empire State and the Niagara Falls. I also wanted to see the New Jersey. That can sound realistic because they are close to each other.
One may also say, I want to see the Disneyland. It's every [Filipino's/your nationality] childhood dream. And from there I also wanted to see what the famous Las Vegas looks like.
So, in short, do your research and familiarize with the states. DO NOT BRAG to mention a lot of multiple states during your interview. JUST ANSWER ONLY WHAT YOU ARE ASKED ABOUT.
IMPRESSIVE BANK ACCOUNT can help you justify the visa application, this is a rule of thumb, not only for USA visa but to almost all countries that require visa, especially the first class ones. However, if IMPRESSIVE BANK FUNDS is not available, you may start with the small travels next to your home country -- where the visas are not required. The more stamps in your passport, the better. The goal is to CREATE THE TRAVELER IMAGE.
Also, while there is still time before your USA visa application, start living & spending frugally on a daily basis. Avoid those coffee shops, those impulsive buying, and the hang outs during weekdays and weekends. My favorite quote is, "STAY AWAY FROM THE CLIFF IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO FALL", for that deeply installed in my mind, I WOULD RATHER EXERCISE/HIT THE FREE GYM rather than hanging out with friends or going to the malls. Stay away from any temptation that may keep you far from achieving your goals.
I hope these tips help and I wish you all the best in your upcoming USA visa application.
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