MIL visa application

[MDD 1]

Could those who have experience getting tourist visas for parents/relatives/friends in Ukraine to come and visit US let me know if the documents that prove ties to Ukraine should be translated into English/notarized?

I did all of that for my K-1 visa, but with the non-immigrant visa I am not sure if I should translate those documents for my parents?

Any insight will be much helpful and appreciated.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Been there, done that. They didn't even look at ANYTHING other than the letter of invitation I sent her. Have her try to bring more supporting documents of why she will return. That should be her priority.

Now THAT is really good info. I will pass it on to the boss immediately. Thanks!

[captainofiron 2]

Well I really dont know which subforum this belongs, so mod feel free to move it.

I was speaking with my fiancee on skype about her parents coming to the US for our wedding, well obviously they are Russian citizens, so they would need a visa to enter, but what type?

I was looking and the B visa seems appropriate.

Can anyone give me an idea as to the cost and wait times?

She is under the impression that a tourist visa is 350 dollars each, but I think that is through a company like travisa.

Anyways please let me know, any advice or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

[J&N* 68]

She should either call the US embassy in Moscow or go to their websites for more details

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/bvisas.html

Good luck.

[Otto 83]

** Topic may be more appropriate in a Regional Discussion forum (RUB specifically) since there may be specific idiosyncrasies to the region. Moving thread from K-1 Proc. to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Edited May 15, 2010 by Otto und Karin

[sachinky 465]

Tourist visas are always a ####### shoot. 50/50 chance of getting one.

They will need SIGNIFICANT and OVERWHELMING ties to their home country in order to convince the CO that they will not overstay their welcome in the U.S.

[J&N* 68]

Sachinky is right.

Same problem with me, since Egypt has no waiver programs, my parents need a visa. None of siblings are going to apply just because the US embassy might think the whole family is going there to live, it sucks but I want my parents to be there more than anyone.

You could write her family an invitation letter and they could copy her documents (for example NOA2, visa in the passport) wedding invitation etc.. as as a proof that there will be back as soon as they attend the wedding.

[captainofiron 2]

Tourist visas are always a ####### shoot. 50/50 chance of getting one.

They will need SIGNIFICANT and OVERWHELMING ties to their home country in order to convince the CO that they will not overstay their welcome in the U.S.

Well they both have jobs, mortgage, and all of their family there. Not to mention they dont speak a word of english.

Sachinky is right.

Same problem with me, since Egypt has no waiver programs, my parents need a visa. None of siblings are going to apply just because the US embassy might think the whole family is going there to live, it sucks but I want my parents to be there more than anyone.

You could write her family an invitation letter and they could copy her documents (for example NOA2, visa in the passport) wedding invitation etc.. as as a proof that there will be back as soon as they attend the wedding.

That is what we were planning on doing. I hope it works, because I think it would be terrible if they couldnt come, she would be crushed

[slim 1,525]

B visa is correct. (B-2) They'll be "visitors" and coming to the US for a specific purpose then returning home. As said above, it is a crapshoot and it's not guaranteed. The $350 is high (but not surprising since it's through a service company.) You can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. Check the Guides section here on VJ and then do Google searches for B-2 visa help. There's a really good Indian site (in English) that I used to help me do the paperwork for my SIL.

It's really up to the visitor to apply to the consulate. It's around $100 each and they have to send in the papers via Pony Express. They can go through any of the Russian consulates, not just Moscow. So, it's kind of unlike a K-1 in that they're doing it for themselves. However, it's kind of like the K-1 in that you can do pretty much all the paperwork, send it to them, and then they can sign it and send it in.

Historically, it's been very hard to have parents attend weddings here in the States. Typically folks will have a Russian wedding for her family and then a civil service here to satisfy the visa requirements. It is worth trying though and it could work out. Good luck!

[captainofiron 2]

My future in laws are in the process of applying for their B-2 Visas, I have written them a letter of invitation, but do I need to provide them with an I-134?

Thanks

[slim 1,525]

I don't think it's required, but it probably helps. I did one for my SIL and sent it to her with the packet. I had basically everything done for her already with a few sticky notes that said "sign here" and a nice reminder for her to attach $100 or whatever the fee was. In the I-134 I wrote something to the effect of "will cover room and board, basic needs while visiting and any expenses necessary for her return home upon completion of the visit." (Basically told them she's coming, I've got her while she's here and then I'm sending her butt home.)

If they've already applied it's doubtful they'll get your I-134 in time because it only takes about two to three weeks for a B-visa interview.

The reason I recommend doing it all for them is because when they apply, they're asking the U.S. Government if they can have permission to visit the U.S. When you "apply for them" by doing all the paperwork, even though they're still asking, they're asking "because my in-law in the U.S. is requesting I come to visit... and then come home."

The B-visas seem to be about 50/50 now so good luck!

[captainofiron 2]

I don't think it's required, but it probably helps. I did one for my SIL and sent it to her with the packet. I had basically everything done for her already with a few sticky notes that said "sign here" and a nice reminder for her to attach $100 or whatever the fee was. In the I-134 I wrote something to the effect of "will cover room and board, basic needs while visiting and any expenses necessary for her return home upon completion of the visit." (Basically told them she's coming, I've got her while she's here and then I'm sending her butt home.)

If they've already applied it's doubtful they'll get your I-134 in time because it only takes about two to three weeks for a B-visa interview.

The reason I recommend doing it all for them is because when they apply, they're asking the U.S. Government if they can have permission to visit the U.S. When you "apply for them" by doing all the paperwork, even though they're still asking, they're asking "because my in-law in the U.S. is requesting I come to visit... and then come home."

The B-visas seem to be about 50/50 now so good luck!

No they havent applied yet, my Fiancee is doing all the paperwork for them since she is fluent in english and I have sent them invitation letters already.

hahah I laughed about the sending her butt home. I put something to that affect in my invitation letters. Honestly I think it sucks if they dont get them, because they have no intention of overstaying or moving here permanently for now. Hopefully they get it. If not I guess we will be going back there next year to have a Ceremony.

As far as evidence proving they have close ties to Russia what would be good? They both work for Gazprom, they own apartments in Moscow and Ukraine, all of their family is in Ukraine, Moscow or Siberia, any other ideas. I am guessing the more they can prove their ties the chances for them getting it are better.

[Brad and Vika 129]

As far as evidence proving they have close ties to Russia what would be good? They both work for Gazprom, they own apartments in Moscow and Ukraine, all of their family is in Ukraine, Moscow or Siberia, any other ideas. I am guessing the more they can prove their ties the chances for them getting it are better.

I think this is just a ####### shoot. We are in the same situation, where MIL will apply soon. Lots of conflicting stories here about the B visa proofs, but I think more is generally considered better. See some of Hazah's posts on this forum though, as more information didn't work for his MIL twice. Good luck!

[captainofiron 2]

I think this is just a ####### shoot. We are in the same situation, where MIL will apply soon. Lots of conflicting stories here about the B visa proofs, but I think more is generally considered better. See some of Hazah's posts on this forum though, as more information didn't work for his MIL twice. Good luck!

Hazah? could you point me in the right direction?

Thanks

Well I hope it works out for both of us man

[slim 1,525]

No they havent applied yet, my Fiancee is doing all the paperwork for them since she is fluent in english and I have sent them invitation letters already.

I didn't realize your fiancee was still there with them. For some reason I was thinking she's already here. OK. Not that it changes anything and actually, it could help since they're not applying based on her report of how wonderful everything in America is, they're applying to go see their daughter get married then go back home.

The thing about your fiancee filling out all the paperwork is if she signs in that spot where it says "filled out by" then it could look like she's trying to get her family to accompany her when she comes to the U.S. I would suggest she either leaves that blank or you fill out the paperwork and send it to them. Putting your name in there basically "sponsors" them and if you're saying you'd like your in-laws there for the wedding (and then shipping their butts back home) it looks more like you're making the request as opposed to your fiancee requesting to have her family join her in the States.

Not that any of that even matters, but you're trying to "paint a picture" when you apply for visas. Make sure you paint the picture they want to see.

hahah I laughed about the sending her butt home. I put something to that affect in my invitation letters. Honestly I think it sucks if they dont get them, because they have no intention of overstaying or moving here permanently for now. Hopefully they get it. If not I guess we will be going back there next year to have a Ceremony.

You seriously do want to "paint that picture" of sending their butt back home. It's one thing for mom and dad to say "we're going to return home after our visit." Quite another for you to say, "they're coming here and then I'll financially back their trip to get home if needed." See that picture?

The ceremony has been talked about quite a bit here in the RUB forum. If you have an in-law family that wants to see their little girl get married and wants a traditional ceremony it's typically better to have it there because Russian weddings can't really be done right here anyway. If they're not so big on the ceremony but only want to see their daughter get married then getting the B-visas will proably work out for you guys. If not, your best bet would be to have her fly over here, get the civil service at the court house, then file for AOS while simultaneously planning "the big one" back home. Once she gets that green card then you can both fly back over there and have the wedding for the in-laws.

Or... you could do it all before she gets here but then you're not really single when you get married again in the States. It's times like these I'm glad my in-laws weren't concerned.

As far as evidence proving they have close ties to Russia what would be good? They both work for Gazprom, they own apartments in Moscow and Ukraine, all of their family is in Ukraine, Moscow or Siberia, any other ideas. I am guessing the more they can prove their ties the chances for them getting it are better.

Like Brad said, it's a crapshoot. They sound like they have more than enough evidence to return but, that also could mean that they're going to liquidate all their assets just prior to moving to the U.S. to live with their daughter. Painting that picture isn't as easy from their end. They can say all day they're going back to work at Gazprom after the wedding but you saying "I'm sending their butts back to work after the wedding" carries a lot more weight.

But, even that doesn't guarantee it'll happen. Seriously, it's been about 50/50 so if they have your fiancee fill it all out and try that way, they may get it. If that doesn't work, they'll have time to do it again with you filling out all the paperwork for them and shipping it over there. You still have several months before the K-1 goes through and then up to nine months after that to get married. They could apply a hundred times in that time frame.