It won't work. America's visa system is so burdensome and so inefficient that the whole thing needs to be scrapped....and start over.

First, China, Brasil, Russia, India, possibly Thailand and Hong Kong SAR should be given VWP status immediately. They've got money and they're willing to spend it whether it's shopping or buying real estate or starting businesses.

Second, VOA for most of the others. Simple. Easy. Pay 50$ or whatever on arrival, get the sticker and go shopping. But no, the US would never even consider something like that. They subject you to rudeness and arrogance and that's just at the visa interview. It's like saying, 'We really don't want you to go. Just stay home and mind your own business.' America for Americans! America uber alles. You love us but we don't want you.

And that's how some of my friends who've gone through the process describe it. Someone I know got turned down because, he was told, he had no ties to his home country. The guy just built a 50 million$ office building, owns countless others and other real estate and he, they told him, was a risk of staying in the US???? ...? He told them he'll keep his money at home and to go *&$^ themselves.

And that's what I tell everyone. Keep your money in Asia or go to Europe. America doesn't deserve the business until it cleans up its act.