Retire to the Philippines and Succeed

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Archives for November 2020

Here’s One Of The Reasons I Tell You To Think Bigger — You Are So Much More

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You Are So Much More.

(Updated 14 November 2020)

So many people visit here.

Many read, a few ask questions and there are times I feel so inadequate.

I have only traveled down one path in my life (as has everyone else, actually).

I only learned and observed just so much, and the majority of people who pass by here are younger, better educated and many are even way better off financially than I am.

Yet they often ask questions about how they can get to the Philippines and eke out a tiny living just to be able to live where they want.

The real answer is:

You Don’t Need To Earn Where You Live!

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Home Country Things You Better Keep

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Home Country Things You Better Hold On To.

(Updated 4 November 2020)

Just recentlntlyI was telling a reader that writing about moving to the Philippines seemed very boring to me.

I had gotten very old and stale in my writing and in my living overseas thoughts.

But then I just had a conversation with a fellow US military retiree here in the Philippines and I realized there’s a whole raft of things out there I should be writing about.

One thing people always ask about over the years I have been writing about is:

“What to Bring from the US and What to Leave Behind”

Well, I think rather than a blog article someone could write a whole book on that subject.  Sorry, that won’t be me.

But one thing that did come up with my retiree friend recently is something many westerners who move to the Philippines don’t think about a lot when packing their moving boxes.
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Can My Philippine Friend Visit Me in the USA?

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US Visitor Visa concerns.  Can My Philippine Friend Visit Me in the USA?

(Updated 3 November 2020)

Originally published sometime back.  Significantly updated and corrected for my current reader’s information.  Thanks for being a reader, by the way.

Remember one thing:  I am not a lawyer and ecerything you read here is merely personal opinion ased on my understnding of how I “think” things work.  No one except a consulat officer of the Untited Staes can issue a visa. 

Anyone  who tells you that she or he can get a visa issued, “for sure” is either mistaken or trying to scam you.

I have received a lot of queries over the years about the US Visitor Visa (known as a B2 Visa to the US State Department) for Filipinos.

Mainly these questions revolve around the subject of getting a Filipino friend a temporary visitor’s visa allowing them to enter the USA for a short visit.

People want to know, mainly:

  1. How do they (the visas) work,
  2. How much do they cost,
  3. Can my girlfriend get one, etc.
  4. I’ve heard they are very hard to get, and why?

It occurred to me today that I hadn’t written about these issues in some time when I opened an email from a reader here with some specific questions:

Here’s a video with some good information.

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Why Can’t My Filipina Wife Get a Tourist Visa To The USA?

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Why Can’t My Filipina Wife Get a Tourist Visa To The USA?

(Updated 2 November 2020)

Updated and corrected to bring it up to date

This question comes up frequently.  Often there is a lot of anger attached as a US citizen husband finds out that his lawfully married foreign spouse can’t get a US B2 Visitor (Tourist) Visa, despite having all paperwork and immigration status documents in order.

The Anger Is Fully Justified, In My View

But it doesn’t matter if you are angry, or even if I am angry in support of your position.

In many cases. the Tourist visa just ain’t going to happen.  Why?

The US Visa System Just Doesn’t “Fit” the Way Most Expat Families Live

And it’s not likely to change any time soon.

Everything about the US Immigration system is geared to handle two things:

1. Tourists (Temporary Visitors) Who Have No Attachment To The USA

or

2. Spouses Of US Citizens Who Want To Come To the USA to Establish Legal Residence (Get a Green Card)

There’s Little Room in the Mind f the State Department For Any Other Category

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How Hard Is It To Get a Tourist Visa to the USA From the Philippines?

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How Hard Is It To Get a Tourist Visa to the USA From the Philippines?

(Updated 2 November 2020)

Here’s a typical comment that gets posted here at PhilFAQS, where you can learn how to move to and profit in the Philippines.  Over the past 15 years, I have heard and seen so many stories like this that it makes me sad.

There’s nothing I can do except to try to clarify the way the US laws are written and how they seem to be applied to Filipinos applying for visitor visas (tourist visas) to the USA.

Disclaimer:  Remember that I am not a lawyer and I have no connection with the US Embassy or any other agency or company involved in granting or denying US tourist visas.   These are my own personal opinions and are not legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.

Here’s a Video That May Help.  The Outlook Isn’t Rosey

A Typical Reader Story

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