If you have ever wanted to get a US tourist visa to visit the United States, but were denied by the embassy, it might be hard to know what steps you should take next. This article will guide you on how I was able to contact a state senator for help in getting my 10 year multiple entry US visa.
After 4 days from my horrible story in the US Embassy, I reapplied again. So I made an account and made some changes in my DS 160 form. I checked everyday on the schedule so that I can get the earliest appointment so I got mine after 3 weeks. Since we already had a flight ticket we rescheduled it again to my fiancé’s birthday and 4th of July.
Contacting the Senator
For this time my fiancé asked for a help in their state Senator branch. You can contact either a state Senate or your Congressional Representative to help you with this matter by getting in touch to federal agencies such as the US Embassy. They will assist you with the exception of if you deny once. Emailing or calling the office staff will take you to their site of the United States Senate or your Congressional Representative branch. The office staff then asked him to require these documents:
Required Documents:
- Date of the interview – if the applicant does not have a date yet, they should go to the Embassy’s website and apply for it: Embassy/ Consulate’s name and place
- Name of the persons) as it appears on his/her passport in the following order (FirstName – Middle Initial – LAST NAME (s)):
- Passport copy
- Date of Birth for the visa applicant (Month/Day/Year):
- If the applicant was denied before please provide the date and how many times.
- Your request and invitation letter, along with letters and documents from the applicant of the visa
- Any documents to back up the applicant’s strong ties to his/her country
- The attached Privacy Release Forms (must be completed by the visa applicant and you)
I complied all the documents including the letter why I want to visit the States temporarily. This time I wrote “I want to celebrate the Fourth of July and my birthday with my fiancé, as well as visit his family and friends before we marry,”.
The secretary of the Senator emailed it to the US Embassy in Manila, which responded that I had a record and was already scheduled, but that a consular official would make a decision on whether or not to approve the visa based on US law and regulation. The office from the Senator emailed me the letter and asked me to bring it on the time of interview and hand it to the consular officer.
The Interview
On the day of my interview since this is my second time I am now confident what will happen inside. This time there was a very long line to get in. I passed through security and handed my documents to the pre screening lady and asked me the purpose of trip? To spend a birthday and fourth of July with my fiancé. She confirmed my name if it’s correct then I proceeded to the next window which is the fingerprint collection. My fingers are still moist it took a while to read again.
After the Embassy staff asked our batch to take a line in the guy who interviewed to me before. So I did not lined up to him instead I lined up with the lady consul. I handed my passport and the letter from the Senator she read it and she asked me these questions:
- Purpose of your trip? To spend birthday and celebrate fourth of July with my fiancé
- How long are you gonna stay? 2 weeks
- When is the wedding? January next year here in the Philippines
- How many people are invited? Around 200
- Why not get a fiancé visa? A fiancé visa takes a while to process and I need to go back home to finish my masters school before I get married since this is important to me.
- After you get married and live in the States what are you gonna do there? To be a wife to become a housewife
- Countries you have traveled? Countries in Asia like Hongkong, China, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos
- What did you do in Laos? We obtain a visa for my short term mission trip in Thailand
- What organization? YWAM youth with a mission
- Is it a Christian organization? Yes a Christian organization
- When is your flight? In 5 days
Your visa is approved you’ll get your visa in a week!
3 days after I received a text message that my visa is ready to pick up. On my application I chose 2Go MOA at that time because that’s the fastest courier in releasing US visa now they changed to LBC.
I still can’t believe we made it! My fiancé and I labored hard in praying for that moment. Contacting your state Senator or Congressional representative is not a guarantee to get a visa you may have to prove to them that you will go back home after visit. But, I do believe that they will make a special attention in your case.
Tips:
- US government workers want to be respected, therefore be respectful and simply answer the question that has been asked.
- Don’t LIE! You have to answer the question honestly with confidence
- Read, ask and do more research. Plan ahead. I did not get an agent for there’s no secret in getting a visa as what the Embassy’s motto ”walang sikreto “ you can just do it on your own.
- Sell yourself to the consular officer that you will come back after your visit. Do not tell them that you have intention to work.
- If you have a travel history that includes exiting to another country since your tourist visa is about to expire and you only want a stamp on your passport before returning, don’t tell them because they will deny you.
- Pray. You will get the desires of your heart and have faith if you do not give up.
If you were denied in getting a US Visa to visit your loved ones chances are you’ll need to contact a state senator or your congressional representative. It takes a lot of hard work but after some persistence on my part and following some helpful tips, I was able to get my 10 year multiple entry US visa in just a few weeks.
I wish you well in your journey in getting a tourist visa. You and your loved ones will reunite soon!
Read my blog on How to apply US Tourist visa to visit Boyfriend/Fiance in the Philippines
Note: As of February 2022, if you are granted for a US Visa please check your airline requirements what documents to bring to avoid offloading. They might require you to bring these following documents:
Passport with US Visa
Roundtrip ticket
Negative Covid test within 24hrs
Vaccination Document
BOI Declaration Form
US Attestation Form
Travel Medical Insurance Document
Travel Medical Insurance ID
Travel Tax
As of April 1, 2022, a friend of mine who travelled from Manila to the US (port of entry LAX) that they no longer require travel and health insurance. Always check airline guidelines.
If you have questions feel free to comment down below and we’ll try to answer it
Good day Sissy,
I just would like to inquire about US Tourist Visa. I was denied last December 2021. Hopefully you can discuss it to me further because I want to re apply again.
Thank you and God bless!
Hi sis. Where do we download the privacy release forms? Im so inspired with this vlog ❤️
Hi Sis,
Good day! I just would like to ask if you know tge email or contact details in Senate or Congress State in New York? I would like to re apply again for a Tourist Visa.
Thank you and God bless
Hi sissy, you can check your Senator or Congressional Representative on their website and tell your sponsor to call them or email them. Better call first then they will email your requirements what to do.
Super helpful article! Glad I got to learn that there is a another way to strengthen the application after being denied. Thank you so much po! May I ask, how long does it usually take for state senator/congressman office to issue a Letter to us? which we will be presenting to US consular on the interview.
Thank you sissy! Usually they will email the US Embassy Manila once your interview date is close. They will email you also the letter from the Senator that you will present in the Embassy as soon as you will comply all the requirements that they need
Thank you very much!
Good eve po! May I ask what did you do, did you create new CGIFederal account for 2nd new application? or use your old cgi account? Thank you!!
Hello! I think I created a new DS-160 form and for interview schedule I only have one account on all my interview appointments in US Embassy Manila
Hi mam. May i ask if they(senators) also help give u an expidite interview? Thanks
hello! I am not sure. All I knew was they can expedite immigrant cases but for non-immigrant case, you can expedite by contacting US Embassy Manila if it’s an emergency travel.