Tourist visa for wife's son

[visaveteran 1]

I hate to interrupt the important issues of asking if one loves his fiancee, giving 11 versus 12 flowers, or living in the Ukraine versus Vermont...but my wife's son wants to visit us in June on a tourist visa. Looking for info, links, advice on how to proceed. My wife's son just got out of the Russian Army (he's 19), does not have a job and lives in my wife's flat.

Thanks.

[payxibka 10,045]

I hate to interrupt the important issues of asking if one loves his fiancee, giving 11 versus 12 flowers, or living in the Ukraine versus Vermont...but my wife's son wants to visit us in June on a tourist visa. Looking for info, links, advice on how to proceed. My wife's son just got out of the Russian Army (he's 19), does not have a job and lives in my wife's flat.

Thanks.

it is a $131 investment and some time... you will never know until you try

[slim 1,525]

Since he's 19 and unemployed, wants to come in the summer, etc., why not have him get a work visa?

[sachinky 465]

Work visas are employer based. So not that easy to get one.

You can write a well worded letter of invitation but he must qualify for the visa on his own. That is, he must demonstrate overwhelming ties that would compel him to return to his country after his visit.

[slim 1,525]

They issue those summer work visa thingies through universities over there all the time. Have him get one of those. I have no idea what they're called, only that it usually costs about $500 for the "penalty" and it's good for like six months or something. They even have services set up on most campuses to get them done.

Last summer, many of the workers at the local baseball games were attractive young Ukrainian girls. They came here on the same deal.

[Neonred 3,562]

That's a J-1 student work and travel visa, Slim. And they must be a university student to get one. My step-daughter tried to get one a few years ago and was denied based on the fact that her mother was here and married to a USC, so may not be so easy. She did get a 2 year tourist visa last year.

[slim 1,525]

The story I've heard with those is they pay a service company $500 and it's pretty much a given they'll get the visa. As always though, beware of visa scams, especially on that end. With the ease of tourist visas recently, that may be the best bet.

[Neonred 3,562]

The story I've heard with those is they pay a service company $500 and it's pretty much a given they'll get the visa. As always though, beware of visa scams, especially on that end. With the ease of tourist visas recently, that may be the best bet.

Yes, my step daughter used a service company out of Moscow. You pay a fee which includes the companies processing charge, insurance while you are in the US, and airfare to the US. The student still has to go to an interview at the embassy and still must qualify in the eyes of the embassy. Those that get denied get a refund of most of the money they put up.

[visaveteran 1]

She did get a 2 year tourist visa last year.

So you request a two-year visa on the form? How much does that cost? Is there a restriction on how often she can visit during the two year period?

Also, how important is an invitation letter? And do I need to show I have the funds to support the tourist while in the USA?

[payxibka 10,045]

So you request a two-year visa on the form? How much does that cost? Is there a restriction on how often she can visit during the two year period?

Also, how important is an invitation letter? And do I need to show I have the funds to support the tourist while in the USA?

The visa processing fee is currently $131 for a tourist visa. Your stepson applies for a visa... the CO decides single/multi entry and term based on individual facts and circumstances.

If they issue a single entry visa it is one time use. If it is multi entry then they can use more than once during the validity term

FWIW, the State Department says the "invitation" letter is not so important and that the CO must decide based on the individual qualifications of the applicant and not based on a promise made by a US citizen.

[visaveteran 1]

The visa processing fee is currently $131 for a tourist visa. Your stepson applies for a visa... the CO decides single/multi entry and term based on individual facts and circumstances.

If they issue a single entry visa it is one time use. If it is multi entry then they can use more than once during the validity term

FWIW, the State Department says the "invitation" letter is not so important and that the CO must decide based on the individual qualifications of the applicant and not based on a promise made by a US citizen.

Good informatio0n...thanks! I have heard from some Russians that Pony Express handles applications and charges a lot of money. Is this true? How much does the process cost in total? About how long from start of filing to final decision by consulate?

[Neonred 3,562]

So you request a two-year visa on the form? How much does that cost? Is there a restriction on how often she can visit during the two year period?

Also, how important is an invitation letter? And do I need to show I have the funds to support the tourist while in the USA?

In our case she did not initially request the two year visa but was given that option, or perhaps she asked for it at the time of the interview.

In our case I believe the invitation letter was critical. There is an immigrant visa still pending for my step daughter and I made sure to let them know we would make sure she returned to Russia so as not to cause a problem with her immigrant visa.

[slim 1,525]

I'm not sure the Pony Express rates, but my SIL didn't say anything about it being expensive so it must not be too bad.