Accompanying family member to Visa Interview?

[WillyKid 0]

On her first attempt (flying solo), my mother-in-law was denied a B2 visitors Visa due to the reason of 'not having enough documents.' I come to find out that they only looked at her Letter of Invitation and not the plethera of other supporting documentation that she had with her. My question is this, if I (the US Citizen) personally accompany my wife's mother to the embassy next time, will it yield a more respectful approach -- and facilitate positive results? Anyone ever pysically accompany a family member of a PR to the embassy with hopes to obtain a visitors Visa? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

[aaron2020 11,651]

On her first attempt (flying solo), my mother-in-law was denied a B2 visitors Visa due to the reason of 'not having enough documents.' I come to find out that they only looked at her Letter of Invitation and not the plethera of other supporting documentation that she had with her. My question is this, if I (the US Citizen) personally accompany my wife's mother to the embassy next time, will it yield a more respectful approach -- and facilitate positive results? Anyone ever pysically accompany a family member of a PR to the embassy with hopes to obtain a visitors Visa? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

It's not going to help. A visitor must qualify on his or her own for a visitor visa. A guarantee from a US citizen is meaningless. It's unlikely that you would even be allowed into the interview.

From the USCIS website;http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a971ffa920b82110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Q : How Can I Invite Someone to the U.S. to Visit?

People often ask how they can help a family member, relative or friend get a visa to visit them in the United States. We appreciate their desire to help and understand that sometimes the need for a visit can be urgent.

Under U.S. law, though, applicants for visitor visas must apply on their own to visit the United States.

To qualify for a visitor visa, applicants must:

*

Complete and sign the required application forms

*

Bring evidence that their visit is temporary and that they will return home after their legally authorized stay, and

*

Undergo security clearance procedures

We understand that you may want to help with the visa process. But it doesn't help the applicant to write a letter of invitation or guarantee their departure from the U.S. after their visit is over. A consular officer from the U.S. Department of State (not USCIS) evaluates every visa application on its own merits according to the law. You can be most helpful by making sure the applicant has all the information they need to submit a correct application.

Edited September 28, 2009 by aaron2020

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

On her first attempt (flying solo), my mother-in-law was denied a B2 visitors Visa due to the reason of 'not having enough documents.' I come to find out that they only looked at her Letter of Invitation and not the plethera of other supporting documentation that she had with her. My question is this, if I (the US Citizen) personally accompany my wife's mother to the embassy next time, will it yield a more respectful approach -- and facilitate positive results? Anyone ever pysically accompany a family member of a PR to the embassy with hopes to obtain a visitors Visa? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

Very likely. Kiev allows the USC to attend, it sure couldn't hurt at least to get them to look at the evidence. Kiev can be bastards to B2 visa applicants yet they wave through the K-1s.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

On her first attempt (flying solo), my mother-in-law was denied a B2 visitors Visa due to the reason of 'not having enough documents.' I come to find out that they only looked at her Letter of Invitation and not the plethera of other supporting documentation that she had with her. My question is this, if I (the US Citizen) personally accompany my wife's mother to the embassy next time, will it yield a more respectful approach -- and facilitate positive results? Anyone ever pysically accompany a family member of a PR to the embassy with hopes to obtain a visitors Visa? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

It's not going to help. A visitor must qualify on his or her own for a visitor visa. A guarantee from a US citizen is meaningless. It's unlikely that you would even be allowed into the interview.

From the USCIS website;http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a971ffa920b82110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Q : How Can I Invite Someone to the U.S. to Visit?

People often ask how they can help a family member, relative or friend get a visa to visit them in the United States. We appreciate their desire to help and understand that sometimes the need for a visit can be urgent.

Under U.S. law, though, applicants for visitor visas must apply on their own to visit the United States.

To qualify for a visitor visa, applicants must:

*

Complete and sign the required application forms

*

Bring evidence that their visit is temporary and that they will return home after their legally authorized stay, and

*

Undergo security clearance procedures

We understand that you may want to help with the visa process. But it doesn't help the applicant to write a letter of invitation or guarantee their departure from the U.S. after their visit is over. A consular officer from the U.S. Department of State (not USCIS) evaluates every visa application on its own merits according to the law. You can be most helpful by making sure the applicant has all the information they need to submit a correct application.

It is OK to read the rules, but each case is considered separately "on its merits" and one of the merits can be an affidavit of support. It is not without meaning. I know many Ukrainian LPRs that have gotten B2s for their family and even brothers and sistes and they have no special qualifications, they are all pretty regular Ukrainians. If the USC is there, they may be more inclined to spend a little more time looking at her documents, which apparently they did not. They don't like USCs calling the department of state with first hand reports of rude treatment.

I would say it is definitely no guarantee, but much more likely they would at least consider the application.