Postal Letter

How can I get someone living in a squatter camp (South Africa) to the US for a visit?

1. We’ve found that the only way to get an appointment with the US Embassy is on-line? If true; how do people with no electricity, much less a computer, apply for an appointment? 2. The individual applying for the VISA much have a bank account and the application fee for the VISA must be withdrawn automatically prior to setting an appointment? If true, how to do people with no jobs and no money get a bank account (where, the bank fees are cost prohibitive to actually having an open account in South Africa) 3. We have found that the person must have a legal, permanent address? It my understanding that squatter camps don’t get postal service, therefor they are not counted as a legal address. 4. Is this how Apartheid worked? It seems to me that the application system is skewed against the poor in South Africa. That they will never have the chance to visit the US even when sponsored completely by US citizens. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve our chances? Rev Al: That's why we're trying to get my friend to the US to enable him to speak at churches and other groups to tell them about the living conditions and how we can help his people. I stressed the fact that we were looking for a visitor's VISA because the SA government wants to make sure the people that leave will come back so it's easier to get a visitor VISA than any other.

Public Comments

1. Instead of trying to arrange a nice vacation to the US for some dirt-poor South African, why don't you use the money to get this person out of poverty - like funding education or job training?
2. Well those are the rules set by your government not ours. I think that you can only make an appointment over the phone not the Internet. (See link) In regards to the other restrictions perhaps in special circumstances an arrangement can be made... but again you will have to talk to your embassy. I don't think they will comply, unless it is for family or medical reasons and even then chances are probably slim.
3. Funny you ask that what about cleaning first on your own stoop then come and visit S.A. and you will see many shack have electricity. If you really want to help sponsor one kind for private school and then I will say hoera for bad old usa. And the squatters had nothing to do with apartheid , blame is again on old usa for the sanctions years back and turn this country in a 3rd world country
4. Why are you blaming Apartheid.....the USA made the rules for VISAS. It is obvious that the USA then do not want poor people from 3rd World countries to visit them. Write a letter to the US Embassy in Pretoria/Cape town and explain your problem to them. It costs R 50,00 to open a bank account, send the guy money and tell him to open a bank account. Rent him an apartment somewhere and then he has a permanent address with a post box. What conditions are you talking about......the government is suppose to look after everybody, if your friends life is so bad why did he choose to vote for the present government?
5. Welcome to the "Third World"..... I am sure you will find a way as long as the person has the relevant documents. Why not try sponsoring the person if all else fails?
6. Have to agree with EMJAY III - welcome to the THIRD WORLD!! However, it may seem impossible to get this done - but - money does wonders! Like she said, get him a bank account, get him a permenant address, jump through all the hoops and dont be discouraged if it takes a long time - all that red tape is meant to discourage people from getting what they want - but don't give up! Beat the system!! lol :-P Hey - I like your screen name too! If he comes to the US, let me know, I would like to hear him - seriously!
7. Keep your sick, poor and displaced people right there in South Africa where they can help change the way of life as it is given to them by this outstanding government. The USA is already dealing with the invasion of Central America's hordes of uneducated and unqualified illegal immigrants. The reason there are that many restrictions is to protect US citizens from having to support the whole world's free loaders If you really want to make an impact, then document this poor person's life and daily activities on video and send that to his ANC elected officials and ask them what happened to their campaign speeches/promises about how much better life was going to be without White government. Get a life! Rethink your request or dole out all the funds needed for this person to visit USA. Come-on you want it to happen, so go to it.
8. Blame the ANC government and the USA foreign affairs. The ANC government is in power for 14 years now and they still have not bargained for easier access to other countries. USA citizens are allowed to visit SA easily but the USA don't want to return the favour. What does Apartheid have anything to do with it at this stage of the game?
9. I'm not going to answer the other issues raised in your posting.....as regards the main question.....ask your friend to go to the nearest public library for assistance in this regard........but you must remember that the US Visa regulations also requires that the applicant must prove that they have enough money in the bank to take care of themselves.....does your friend meet that requirement?