Tourist Visa for Mother

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

What do you think the chances are for my mother in Lebanon to get a (B-2)tourist visa. She is 53 years old, has her name is on the bank account with my father who will be remaining in Lebanon (the bank account maintains a high balance), and she is on the deed to their apartment in Beirut and summer house in their village. My 9 year old brother will be traveling with her but my father and 18 year old unmarried sister will remain in Lebanon (an 18 year old girl unmarried is still a child in Lebanon even if she is 18). She only plans to stay for 15 days then return to Lebanon, she is visiting because my wife will be giving birth soon and she has an uncle and a few friends in the same city my wife and I live. Do you think I will need to send her an affidavit of support for a 15 day visit or will their bank account be good enough? I know some people from other countries have needed an affidavit of support for their mother or father to get a tourist visa, but some of my friends form Lebanon said they never asked for an affidavit of support after seeing their mother or fathers bank account at the embassy in Lebanon.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

Bump

I thought I would let some of you know who are waiting on the answer to this question. My mother is working with the same translator who did my wife and my paperwork in Lebanon to present to the U.S. embassy. He knows quite a few people who work in the embassy (no he can't pull strings). She has a good chance at getting a tourist visa because of the bank account, 2 homes with her name on it, husband of 35 years and 18 year old daughter staying in Lebanon. If she didn't have assets she would need an affidavit of support from us.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

A B2 is issued on its own merit. All they are interested in is that she returns to Lebanon, instead of remaining in the US. If you send an affidavit of support, it could be seen as an incentive to your mom to stay in the US with her loving son who is a permanent resident. Probably not such a good idea. Yet, there's a good chance that your mom will be approved on her own. You just never know . . .

[Harsh_77 718]

Yes she can apply for B2 and I think she will get it too, you dont need to provide affidavit of support. If your parents have siginificant amount in US $ then they can say she is going to bear the cost of the trip or you can show you have enough money in your account to bear the cost of her trip.

All they want to know is who is going to bear the cost of trip and that person has enough money in back for it.

They dont want a situation where someone comes in country on B2 and then overstay and say I dont have enough money to go back and hence I overstayed in US.

[J&N* 68]

I'd say she has a good shot, especially if she's leaving a spouse and a child behind, owns properties and a reasonable bank statement, let her state why she's travelling exactly and how long she'll stay.

Best of luck inshalla!

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

Just a quick update. My mother was approved for a tourist visa yesterday and she will be picking it up from the consulate in Beirut by the end of this week. They asked her why she wants to visit and she told them because my son's wife is having a baby and she wants to be here since she hasn't seen her son and his family in a long time. They asked her if she has children in Lebanon and she said yes an 18 year old and a 10 year old. They asked if she wanted to bring the 10 year old and she said no because he has school in a few days. Then they asked what does her husband do for a living. Then they wanted to see her name on the house in the village, apartment in Beirut, and her bank account. She said they were very nice, fast, and to the point....then they gave her an appointment to come pick up her visa. Good luck to all of you trying to get a tourist visa for family or friends, I hope this was of some help.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

UPDATE.....my mother went to pick up her visa today at the consulate in Beirut. When I called her to ask what was going on she told me it is a 5 year multiple entry and she will be here Wednesday hopefully before my wife gives birth!

Now all I need is for my conditions to be removed by CSC

[J&N* 68]

What a joy!! Congratulations!!!