The American Dream?

By Josielyn Wilton

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts…in a few moments we will be landing at…..” “Mommy, mommy, mommy…GISING (WAKE UP)! Andito na tayo sa (We are now in) America!”…Maria, tired and cold from the long journey, slowly opened her eyes… the warm, bright and elated face of her son greeted her…she smiled back and hugged him and looked out of the window… She pinched herself to make sure she is not just dreaming. “Oh, my God… andito na nga kami (We are here indeed). Thank you, Lord!”

Maria is just one of the millions of Filipinos who wishes to go to America. The U.S.A is almost every Filipino child’s, student’s, traveler’s, worker’s, adult’s dream…even for those who want to avail of U. S. medical/surgical management/treatment/rehabilitation. It is the desire of every US Citizen fiancé(e) and spouse/family and vice versa to be together in the U.S. as soon as possible. Lawful Permanent Residents also want their families to join them: spouses, children, parents, siblings. But it is not that easy. How to be able to go or be able to bring loved ones to the U.S. is multi-factorial: it depends on intentions, eligibility, capability/capacity and truthfulness. .

Different kinds of visas are available if applications are approved (based on documents submitted and validation during the interview) at the U.S. Embassy in Manila: Non-immigrant and immigrant visas (http://usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3005.html).

Non-Immigrant Visas: (http://usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3024.html)

1. Visitor Visa for business purposes (B-1) or for tourism/visit relatives and friends (B-2)
2. Representatives of Foreign Governments (A & G)
3. In Transit (C)
4. Crewmen (C-1/D)
5. Treaty Traders and Investors (E)
6. Students in Academic Language or Programs (F)
7. Temporary Workers and Trainees (H)
8. Journalists (I)
9. Exchange Visitors (J)
10. Fiancé(e)/Spouse of U.S. Citizens (K)
11. Intra-Company Transferees (L)
12. Students in Vocational or other Non-Academic Programs (M)
13. Temporary Workers of Extraordinary Ability (O)
14. Athletes and Entertainers (P)
15. Cultural Exchange Visitors (Q)
16. Religious Workers (R)
17. NAFTA Derivative (TD)

Immigrant Visas: (http://usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3023.html)

1. Under the Family-Sponsored (IR or F) categories
2. Under the Employment-Based (E) category
3. Special Immigrant Visa category
4. Investors
5. K (Filipino spouse and fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen) and V (spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident or “green card holder”) visas are non-immigrant visas that allow beneficiaries to join their petitioners sooner. Upon entry to the U.S., they must apply to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) for change in status from non-immigrant to Lawful Permanent Resident.

As a visa applicant, the Embassy expects you to:

• Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible;
• Complete your application fully and accurately;
• Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans;
• Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe you intentions.

Once you have that visa, you are privileged. Every one must strictly adhere to the visa terms and conditions (visa validity and length of stay), especially that of the non-immigrant visa, because violations of such will have serious implications in future U.S. visit or adjustment of status.

Maria knows as soon as she comes out from the plane….she has to do what is best for her and her son…she doesn’t want to jeopardize their future. She is now just a few steps away from living her dreams.

AmericanPinoys.com helps Filipinos discover information about traveling and immigrating to the U.S., schools for Continuing Education Programs, Specialty Clinics for further medical and surgical management/treatment/rehabilitation, Exchange Students Program and much more. Find out more at http://www.AmericanPinoys.com!