Visitor visa application from Germany

[sapshuk]

Hi all,

My BF and I are both Indians but residing in US and Germany respectively. I had a 1-year US visa using which I visited him twice during summer and winter of 2010. It is now expired and I would like to apply for another one B 2 visitor visa) this November. I was a student in Germany and have been working here for the past 8 months after finishing my studies. He is doing his PhD there.

I was wondering if it would be wise to list him as a sponsor in my visa application, since I do not have great savings (although I have a regular income and a work contract here). I have heard that its a visa killer to be sponsored by someone else, especially your BF. Is it true? Or can I solely make it work with my modest savings (a couple thousand Euros) and a work contract?

The reason I stated during my first visa interview was to visit my relatives without any mention of my BF, but this time I would like to visit only him and not get my relatives involved. But after going through the forum, I am mortified to realize that the cases of BF inviting GF for vacations have very low success rate. I have no intentions of moving to the US or getting married or anything, at least not for the next 4 year, since I have a steady job here. Does anyone have any tips for such a case? Also, when asked why I am visiting the US, can i mention that I intend to visit him regularly during vacations for the next few years and request for a longer visa? It is really a big pain to apply for a new visa every year or two.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Ray]

Visitor visas don’t have sponsors per se. You have to qualify on your own merits.
　
I would be careful about listing the purpose of your visit. Visiting a "boyfriend" sets you up for suspicion that you may get married and adjust status while on your visit, which makes it much more likely that you will be denied.
　
You do have one huge advantage going for you. You already had a visitor visa and assumedly returned on time according to the terms of your visa. That should make it much easier to get approved this time. You could ask during your visa interview about the length of the visa. Perhaps they will give you a longer term if you intend to visit every year.
　
Is your boyfriend on a student visa, or is he a permanent resident?
　
Ray
　

[sapshuk]

Thanks so much for the reply! I was in the US for my two previous visits for 30 days and 15 days respectively which were 4 months apart. My BF is there on a student visa. He has a valid I-20 till 2017 but his F-1 runs out in July 2013. May I also add that I have traveled extensively in Europe and the UK over the last 3 years ?

I think I will man-up and go for the self-sponsoring. But take my BF's documents along just in case (although I think I should not dare mention about him supporting me during the interview at all). If asked about the expenses for the trip, can I say that I am paying for myself since I have a steady income and some savings , although he will take care of my accommodation while I am there for 15 days. I am very worried about the whole 'being a suspect for getting married', but if I show them my employment letter to prove my ties to Germany, wont it be enough?

[Ray]

When you say you will take your boyfriend’s documents, I’m not sure which documents you are talking about. I would leave him out of the picture if at all possible. For the purpose of your trip, perhaps you could say something like "to visit family and see a former classmate", something like that.
　
The fact that he is on a student visa helps your case if the discussion comes up about your possible intent to marry in the states and adjust status. As a student visa holder, I don’t think he has any legal basis for petitioning you for adjustment of status if you did marry.
　
You would be wise to claim that you will pay your own way on your trip. You can always say that you will be staying with family (or friends).
　
The more ties you have that support your intention to return home after your visit the better.
　
Ray
　

[sapshuk]

Thanks for the reply, Ray!


By my BF's documents I meant his visa & I-20, employment letter and financial documents. Anyway, acting upon your advice, I am going to drop him from my interview completely. I have instead asked my relatives in the States to send me an invite letter like the last time. I hope it makes it more feasible to get the visa since my previous 'purpose of visit' was also to visit those relatives. I was hoping to skip meeting them this time since they and my BF are on different coasts    but I suppose it cant be helped.


Thanks for the golden advice Praying that it all works out!