Filipino Tourists Face More Challenges Than Gen. McArthur

The WWII Philippines Campaign and “Intent to depart the U.S.”
"I came out of Bataan and I shall return." That is the full promise made by General Douglas McArthur as he departed the Philippines in 1942. Historians tend to quote only the last part of the vow – historians like things pithy. The general got by with making only a verbal promise that he would return to the Asian islands. A Filipino tourist has to offer hard, verifiable evidence of their “intent to depart the U.S.” once their tourist visa expires.

Sight-Seeing and Shopping
The American landscape presents so many features and attractions for the curious and eager tourist. Top destinations include San Francisco, The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, New York, Yellowstone National Park, Disneyland, and the list goes on. Fifty-five million people visited the U.S. last year. They spent an estimated $120 billion while staying here. Shopping was their favorite activity. Close to ninety percent of the tourists in 2009 went shopping in the U.S. 

​

---

​The Elusive Tourist Visa
Yes, your “intent to depart the U.S.” will be a prime consideration as U.S. Consulate Officers decide whether or not to grant you a tourist visa. As these visas become more scarce, a number of considerations come into play. So, how do you get a U.S. tourist visa and what kind of proof must you offer to back up your promise to return to the Philippines?

• Personal Obligations.
  If you have a good job or if you have a substantial family in the Philippines, U.S. consulate officials will be inclined to believe you'll return. Bring evidence such as marriage and birth certificates, pay stubs or a letter from your employer.
• Property Ownership.

If you're making payments on a home or if you have other properties, this is another indicator that you'll probably return home. Present hard evidence such as mortgage contracts or property deeds.

• Financial Obligations.
  If you have strong financial anchors in the Philippines, you are considered a good risk for a tourist visa. These can range from a hefty savings account or a mortgage, to ownership in a business or an obligation to support a person significant in your life.
• Financial Strategies.

To contribute to the $120-billion tourist shopping industry, you must have cash. Offer your bank statements or loan payment coupon books. If you have three-hundred pesos in a bank account, you might be able to buy the consular official a Starbucks coffee, but don't expect much in return. Show lots of money.

• Itinerary Purpose.
  Draw up a itinerary. Include the cities, sites, and people you'll be seeing. Is this a business trip for meeting a client, attending a conference, or participating in a seminar? Or is it a leisure trip? Weddings and funerals often demand attendance. Be prepared to offer an itinerary in conjunction with your strategies to cover your expenses.
• Oops.

---

Don't flabbergast the consular officials by stating that the U.S. would be a wonderful place to start a new life. Or about how well-paying jobs are in America. Or how proud you would be if you were a U.S. citizen. These are all noble inclinations, but betraying them will only hinder your quest for a tourist visa. You're visiting – not homesteading.

Pulling It All Together
As you prepare to apply for a U.S. tourist visa, pay attention to these important considerations to help ease your way through the process.

• Children under 14 and seniors over 80 years old don't need to endure the interview aspect of the visa application process
• Parents or guardians of children under 14 should accompany them when they make a visa application.
• Tourist visa applicants should retrieve and submit Form DS-156 (submit online only) as well as Form DS-157.
• Presenting original documentation whenever possible will ensure a more expedient application process.
• Presenting fake documents to consular officials doesn't bother them too much. They just cancel the application and may bar the applicant from every applying again. The better forgeries get, the better U.S. consulate staff members are equipped to spot them.

 
Getting Started
The best preparation for tackling the somewhat difficult job of getting a U.S. tourist visa, is to visit the U.S. Embassy website. Resources such as Frequently Asked Questions, online forms, case examples and other information will prove to be quite valuable as you take your first steps to visiting America. And don't forget your promise to return.