Any expats with Nepali spouses?
John Prokos
Does anyone have experience with getting a mere B2 visa for their spouse. I have setup my life here, we've been married for six years, have a house and property in the village, two children. Still, I am told that she can't come with me on a tourist visa to meet my aging father. The US Embassy says she would have to apply for citizenship, which she ABSOLUTELY does not want. Anyway, if you have any advice based on experience please pass it along.
John
John Prokos
We were at the embassy getting our children US citizenship - CRIBA, passports, and SS numbers. I asked the consular while my wife was standing near me signing papers what the chances would be of her getting a tourist visa. He basically said, low to nil. She doesn't own a business and has no travel history. At this time she is a dedicated housewife and mother. We live a semi-normal village life (in the US they would call it an alternative lifestyle). Ha!
As you say we do have truth on our side but it seems that's not enough… only if you have "strong ties" read, large-financial-interest for remaining in Nepal, will they consider giving a tourist visa. Since she is not wealthy and doesn't own a business I was advised not to waste $140 on requesting a tourist visa for her. They suggested starting the citizenship process. At least that's how I understood it.
Honestly, after spending $500 on the children's paperwork, the future cost of the tickets us to travel to the US and back and all the costs in between… spending another $500 to submit an I-130 so she can visit for 30 days… well, it's highly upsetting.
At first glance the reason the embassy is so strict appears plausible …so many Nepalis have fled to the US on tourist visas. And I absolutely understand the need to know who is coming and who is leaving. But, at this point, their unwavering suspicion seems specious to me. It's not as if the embassy has just realized many Nepalis don't return to Nepal. I would guess this has been a problem or perceived problem since at least the beginning of the Nepal Civil War. If Nepalis are still disappearing into the US after going through a grueling interview with an embassy consular that means whatever method they are using to prune out the liars and cheats is not working, and in our case is actually hindering travel of someone who obviously doesn't pose a threat since she could at any time get a green card.
Thanks for your reply Anthony, I appreciate it.
John
On Apr 10, 2011, at 12:28 PM, anthony...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> Did you apply for the tourist visa, and go through the interview
> process or was that just preliminary information from the embassy?
>
> It is possible to get a tourist visa, but perhaps unlikely, but since
> you have the truth on your side, you could try if you haven't.
>
> They haven't told me that it is required for my wife to ask for
> citizenship, but they are very careful, because it's hard/ takes a
> long time to get her permanent residency in the U.S., and many people
> come on a tourist visa, and stay illegally. (we haven't tried, yet)
>
> If i were you, i would try, if you haven't already.
>
> good luck
>
> Anthony Correll
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