USA B1/B2 visa requirements - Advice please

[Freaksta]

Hi All,

I have applied for a B1/B2 visitors visa with my girlfriend. The main reason why we are planning on visiting the USA next year on holiday is that i have been offered a short term transfer to one of our offices in Canada. My Canadian work visa has been approved so that is happening. As part of the deal we get paid a really good salary in Canada, get a daily subsistence, my flight there/back and accommodation for free. I don't foresee myself spending much of my salary that i earn in Canada maybe the odd bit to do some local traveling. The Canadian salary will easily cover the travel costs for both me and my girlfriend in the USA.

So as this has all happened rather quickly(got offered the end of Sept and leave end of Dec) it hasn't given me much time to save physical cash in my bank account, i generally plow all my surplus cash into investments. I know generally they require support at the interview that i will be able to pay for my trip (which is basically made up of my flight from Canada to USA and my Girlfriends flight to/from the US and then all the USA related expenses.

Would it be sufficient to show that:
- I have some cash on hand now and i am not in any debt.
- My Canadian contract showing earnings i will get while there and benefits mentioned above to show evidence of future savings (as i said this could cover both mine and my gf travel expenses).
- Should i also take proof that i have local investments (i.e. i could part liquidate them if need be).
- Can anyone recommend other things i should take along?
- Work has booked already booked my air ticket based on the assumption my US visa will be approved (ie im flying into Canada and exiting via New York).

Another question is relating to the validity date..
Does anyone know if the date that the visa becomes valid is the:
- Date after the visa is approved; OR
- The date i put in my DS160 application (this is the date i expected to travel in the US)

Regards
Freaksta

 

[furpile]

I think they just want to be sure you won't try and stay behind in the US. So if you have a letter from your company stating that you have a permanent position in SA it should be ok. And the US visa is valid for 10 years IIRC, so it ahould be valid from the date it is issued.

 

[HavocXphere]

ah secondment. High five!

Bru just liquidate some investments to hit the cash requirements. They don't require you to actually spend the cash...just to have it. Small price to pay for the opportunity.

- Can anyone recommend other things i should take along?

No but score yourself a US bank account while you're there.

And no your logic is flawed. The work gig will make the Canadian visa stick (already has by the sounds of it). Thats no good for visa into another country though (US). Expect to face the full barrage of questions & requirements...and you're employer will not help you. You'll need to pass this one on personal merit.

 

[Freaksta]

ah secondment. High five!

Bru just liquidate some investments to hit the cash requirements. They don't require you to actually spend the cash...just to have it. Small price to pay for the opportunity.


No but score yourself a US bank account while you're there.

And no your logic is flawed. The work gig will make the Canadian visa stick (already has by the sounds of it). Thats no good for visa into another country though (US). Expect to face the full barrage of questions & requirements...and you're employer will not help you. You'll need to pass this one on personal merit.

Yup I hear you! The problem is I literally only got my my Canadian visa approved this week so my US appointment was only booked this week and its in less than 3 weeks time. I read.any large cash inflows could be negative towards your interview.

The only thing I was going to use the Canadian work for was the cash inflows. Ie prove to them in basically getting a good salary in Canada and have zero expenses.

The other option would be to get my parents to write a letter of support. Anyone else know if investments(shares) can be used as financial evidence?