can a filipino get to usa? emigrate? or as OFW?

I have a friend who wants to go to usa.
But can he get in?

 

It is not a simple question to answer. You probably need to consult an immigration attorney but you could gain some insight by checking the appropriate travel.gov websites.

You start by looking at a VISITOR visa

“Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2)”.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Or you could look at IMMIGRATION on travel.gov;

“Are you interested in immigrating to the United States or want to sponsor someone? The United States provides for immigrant visas based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa”

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.htm

Good luck.

 

Based on my experience, these days it is almost impossible.

 

Canada might be easier if he has a skill but be prepared to pay.


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For Caada, you can probably immigrate there from the Phils; I should have added this URL to the above post:

https://www.immigroup.com/news/cost-immigrating-canada-philippines

USA is far less costly but is more based on family re-unification.

 

For Filipinos to get a visitor visa for the USA they need to show EXTREMELY strong professional and financial ties to their home in the Philippines. The very wealthy would have little problem. Holders of public office are also good candidates. Having marketable skills but no lucrative job here in the Philippines is a visa-killer...don't even bother trying. US Immigration knows how easy it is for people with some skills to work under the table in the US and far too many have entered in the past on a visitor visa and never leave. Even a hardship request is usually a non-starter unless you are rich or well-connected to your good paying Philippines job. Weddings, funerals, baptisms....forget it.

 

Several years ago while still living in the US we tried to arrange a visitor visa for my wife’s sister to visit us in the US. I remembered paying fees and filling out an affidavit of support and arranging her trip to Manila for an interview at the embassy. She was rejected for no reason but they said we can always try again. So we tried again later, the next year.

The next interview was scheduled for the old Cebu consulate, different than the current one at the waterfront hotel. I accompanied her this time to do whatever I could to confirm financial support but they refused to meet with me except for briefly informing me that they will never accept an unmarried female that has no real estate or money in the bank to come to, no professional job and no children. The person who told me that was Filipino and spoke visaya. I had heard that the embassy did hire some locals at the time for interviews. So she was rejected again with a statement that she can try again in x months.

Then we tried her other sister who was rejected in Manila; we had heard that our previous senator, Jesse Helms, had a good reputation for helping Filipinos visit and immigrate to the US. Unfortunately he had retired and was replaced by Elizabeth Dole. My wife spoke with her aide; it was rather emotional as I recall but they ultimately sent her a letter saying that she must accept the state department decision. In the meantime, we noted that Filipinos coming here for business seminars or owned successful businesses and or had substantial bank accounts were successful in getting visas.

The US Immigration attorney who suggested we contact a senator or congressman said point blank that the interviewers often turned them down for a variety of personal reasons (there is no legal right for foreigners to get a US visa) such as jealousy, prejudice and the fact that they cannot get in trouble by not approving but do get in trouble if they approve too many overstayers. I do think it is worth it to try, you will lose only a few hundred dollars in application fees. Chances are, if the person is solid middle class and married with kids, the person may get approved. But do not get your hopes too high and prepare for disappointment.

We could never help but notice how illegals could cross into the country so easily and stay even after being caught, but those who tried to follow the process were unsuccessful so often.


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