Tourist visa for family to go to K-1 wedding???

[aver 0]

I'm sure a lot of people want their foreign family to attend their K-1 wedding in the USA. We are about to get our K-1, and the wedding is already planned. What have you guys done to get your foreign family visas to attend your wedding? I was planning on them applying for the tourist visa and taking a copy of our K-1, our packet, and all the stuff we are contracting for the wedding (photographer, site, reverend, etc.). Would a letter from myself inviting them help? Any ideas are welcome. Thanks.

[payxibka 10,047]

For starters read here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

an applicant does not need a compelling reason to come to the USA (wedding) they need a compelling reason to GO HOME.

[Ladylethal 12]

You can say attending a wedding is the reason for traveling, you could even show up with the invitation to prove that's really what you'll be doing (as opposed to working illegally or staying illegally beyond the visa). There's no need to go overboard with K1 copies, etc.

But most importantly, to be approved for the visa you must prove strong bonds with your country to show you WILL indeed return and also to show that you can afford the trip and the stay in the US and that you won't become a burden to the US. Those two are more important than the reason to go. So that's what you need to work on to have a successful interview.

[nowhereman 1]

For starters read here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

an applicant does not need a compelling reason to come to the USA (wedding) they need a compelling reason to GO HOME.

This really depends on the applicant's country. My friend's fiancee is German & she has been back & forth to the USA many times to visit. My filipino fiancee (now wife) applied for a tourist visa & she was denied.

[belgrade09 0]

In my experience having a job is a must. Going to school (college) full time can help also. But, as stated before me strong ties to the home country must be shown. Of course no need to worry about this if you are coming from one of the countries that is part of the "visa waver" program.

My future mother-in-law was denied (not working), but my future sister-in-law and my fiance's friend (both working) were approved for a visitor's visa.

Good luck!

Edited June 2, 2009 by belgrade09

[Marina-Del 10]

I think you already have your answer but just to add:

For the tourist visa interviews (I assume in Mexico?? but this applies to anywhere that's not in the visa waiver program), you could bring a wedding invitation to the interview and perhaps an explanation of how they know the bride or groom but this is all that's needed. Don't worry about bringing anything else. I think that having an official wedding invitation would help show WHY you want to go.

But as stated, this isn't the most important factor. The people applying for the visa are more likely to be approved if they are working (get letters from the employers saying how long they have been working there, how long they are going to be on holiday and when they are returning to work, you can also include the salary which will help show money available), if they own assets (houses or property is best, but even things like cars are good), show copies of bank statements to show funds available, credit cards ect....

For example, if your wife to be's brother wants to come and he is going to leave his wife and kids in Mexico, living in the house that they own, ect...he's very likely to get a visa. But still not guaranteed.

[aver 0]

Thanks for all the input. The "family" is just her parents and one brother. We will try to get the visas this month, I'll post any updates. Thanks.