Tourist Visa for mother

[Ed B 0]

Hi,

Although my wife still has not received her conditional green card she would like to have her mother visit from Ukraine. Does anyoe know how I can get her a tourist visa? What forms would be needed and fees required.

[Old Dominion 26]

Her mother can certainly apply for a visa, but it's up to her. The fee is about the equivalent of $125 for most countries. She will need a letter of invitation from you, promising to pay for any expenses incurred during the trip, but that's no big deal. Your wife's status is not relevant, as you both are inviting her.

She will also need absolute proof that is is necessary that she return home after her visit -- returning to her job, all of her money is in an Ukrainian bank, she owns a home, etc. etc. Otherwise, the visa will be denied under the U.S. law. If she is poor, unemployed, a renter, etc., there is no chance for her to get a visa.

The Congressional law states that anyone intending to visit the U.S. is presumed to plan to stay here, unless proven otherwise.

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi,

Although my wife still has not received her conditional green card she would like to have her mother visit from Ukraine. Does anyoe know how I can get her a tourist visa? What forms would be needed and fees required.

You cannot do anything... the "mother" must do it herself on her own merits...

http://kyiv.usembassy.gov/visa_niv_eng.html

FWIW, it is $131USD for the visa for ALL countries

You may provide a letter of invitation or support. However, this cannot guarantee visa issuance to a foreign national friend, relative or student. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of an American sponsor's assurance.

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

Edited August 8, 2009 by payxibka

[Kathryn41 3,205]

moved from AOS forum to General Immigration Forum

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

We have the same situation. We want to invite my mother on X-mas holidays. It's simple. Like it was said before, she needs to gather all documents to proove that she will be back to Ukraine 100 %.

It's site where you can find out everything about tourist visa. But this is site only in Russian

http://forum.chemodan.com.ua/viewforum.php?f=8

Nadya.

Edited August 9, 2009 by Joe & Nadya

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi,

Although my wife still has not received her conditional green card she would like to have her mother visit from Ukraine. Does anyoe know how I can get her a tourist visa? What forms would be needed and fees required.

You cannot do anything... the "mother" must do it herself on her own merits...

http://kyiv.usembassy.gov/visa_niv_eng.html

FWIW, it is $131USD for the visa for ALL countries

You may provide a letter of invitation or support. However, this cannot guarantee visa issuance to a foreign national friend, relative or student. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of an American sponsor's assurance.

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

This is true. Her mother can apply at the consulate in Kiev. It does not hurt to attach an invitation letter and even an I-134. Although it is not common for a Ukrainian to get at tourist visa, generally, I know several Ukrainian K-1 fiancees whose parents successfully got tourist visas, even brothers and sisters prior to them getting a green card. The only well to know for sure is to apply.

Not to be confusing, or to contradict Payixbka, who is exactly correct, but in THIS CASE, her mother's "own merits" include an invitation letter, a daughter in the USA and affidavit of support.

Edited August 9, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[payxibka 10,047]

Not to be confusing, or to contradict Payixbka, who is exactly correct, but in THIS CASE, her mother's "own merits" include an invitation letter, a daughter in the USA and affidavit of support.

Please... Own merits or demerits? I fail to see how any of the three are merits....An invitation letter and a daughter in the USA is a possible "strong tie" to REMAIN in the USA and an affidavit of support (potentially meaning the applicant has few or no assets in the home country), could actually again work against the applicant....

[Old Dominion 26]

Basically, in the case of the Ukraine and many other countries, the U.S. does not WANT to grant tourist visas to those who can't provide convincing evidence that they absolutely must return to their home country after the visit. That's why the letters and affidavits, etc. from U.S. relatives aren't requested as part of the tourist visa process.

My own mother-in-law, who came to the U.S. three years ago on a tourist visa and returned to Zambia as promised, was turned down several weeks ago for a new tourist visa, this time to come visit us. The U.S. is tightening up all the time and the consulate decided THIS year that she presented insufficient evidence of the need to return to Zambia. Yet there had been no change at all in her life situation from three years ago. Go figure.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Not to be confusing, or to contradict Payixbka, who is exactly correct, but in THIS CASE, her mother's "own merits" include an invitation letter, a daughter in the USA and affidavit of support.

Please... Own merits or demerits? I fail to see how any of the three are merits....An invitation letter and a daughter in the USA is a possible "strong tie" to REMAIN in the USA and an affidavit of support (potentially meaning the applicant has few or no assets in the home country), could actually again work against the applicant....

It makes no difference for us to debate it Pay. I know several people who presented affidavits of support, invitation letters and, of course, they have a relative (daughter, usually, or brother of sister) here. they were granted 5 year tourist visas with multiple entire with no problems. Seems they like to have a US citizen or LPR they can contact if the visa holder forgets to return on time. I cannot comment what their relative merits were without this, I am not privy to their personal information. From other's experiences I can only comment that it is easier for a Ukrainian to receive a tourist visa when they have a relative as an LPR of the USA.

As you noted in your excerpt, the applicant can present an invitation letter or support document, but the consulate does not need to consider it. From the experiences I have heard in Kiev, it helps.