Parents

[jb&np 0]

Okay, so I have been searching the Tourist Visa and the site in general and am not liking what I see. I would like for my fiancee's parents to attend our wedding, we have not started the K-1 process yet but hopefully this week or next. What I have read is the parents either need to be filthy rich, retired or extremely lucky for them to obtain a B-2 visa.

So, here is the details I can give... Her parents own a flat, her mom does some house work for a couple of other families (probably not considered a 'job'), her dad has a job but I don't think it pays more then the average person there. They also have no other kids and only a few living relatives. I don't imagine there is a large investment or savings account hidden away somewhere.

So, my guess is that they will apply for the B-2 visa and get denied. I am curious if it would be better if they submit the paperwork for the visa now before we submit our paperwork and just state they are planning to visit the states sometime between September and December of this year without disclosing that their daughter and grandchildren are trying to move to the states, not lying just only giving some of the facts. This would give us 6 to 9 months to get the K-1 visa approved.

Anyone have any luck with getting the in-laws over for their wedding? Anyone think my idea may work? Anyone know if I could bribe an official to get it approved? Okay, just joking about the last one, I just would like to have them here for the wedding and concerned that it will not happen and that they may never be allowed to visit their daugther and grandchildren in the states.

Thanks for any information.

[Captain Hammer 113]

As you guessed, it's going to be very difficult. Especially since your fiancee doesn't really won't even have residency here, so there's nobody to "vouch" for them.

Have you thought of having a ceremony in Ukraine some time after she has travel restrictions lifted?

[Sergi9 110]

Okay, so I have been searching the Tourist Visa and the site in general and am not liking what I see. I would like for my fiancee's parents to attend our wedding, we have not started the K-1 process yet but hopefully this week or next. What I have read is the parents either need to be filthy rich, retired or extremely lucky for them to obtain a B-2 visa.

So, here is the details I can give... Her parents own a flat, her mom does some house work for a couple of other families (probably not considered a 'job'), her dad has a job but I don't think it pays more then the average person there. They also have no other kids and only a few living relatives. I don't imagine there is a large investment or savings account hidden away somewhere.

So, my guess is that they will apply for the B-2 visa and get denied. I am curious if it would be better if they submit the paperwork for the visa now before we submit our paperwork and just state they are planning to visit the states sometime between September and December of this year without disclosing that their daughter and grandchildren are trying to move to the states, not lying just only giving some of the facts. This would give us 6 to 9 months to get the K-1 visa approved.

Anyone have any luck with getting the in-laws over for their wedding? Anyone think my idea may work? Anyone know if I could bribe an official to get it approved? Okay, just joking about the last one, I just would like to have them here for the wedding and concerned that it will not happen and that they may never be allowed to visit their daugther and grandchildren in the states.

Thanks for any information.

Based on our families experience getting in and out of Belarus, Russia and Poland it is my experience that a well documented application that is in line perfectly with your event.

Furnish the following documents with a request for the VISA, in addition to whatever documents they request..they probably ask for this ..ie passports etc.

Copy of the Wedding Invitation, and it can include a note from you and your future hubby regarding the arrangements.

Copy of the travel documents, round trip airfare.

Copy of Hotel Reservation (more expensive but better chance of approval if they stay in hotel IMHO) get the Hotel Manager to write you a written Confirmation of the dates of stay on Hotel letterhead.

Once you get the NOA1, send them a copy immediately, to use in the packet. If you get the NAO2 do the same. Better if a colored copy of the "official document" not the emailed notice.

If anyone coming has a job on payroll somewhere he/she should request a letter on company letter head approving his leave on vacation for the exact days that line up with the trip and include his end vacation date. Signed by company representative. (sounds weird but their HR does this for everyone traveling to EU so it should not be hard to get.

They don't have "title" to real estate like we do, but they have residence registration and vehicle registrations so copy of whatever that document is. You don't have to throw the kitchen sink at them for something like this, invitations for specific events are treated well in most cases.

Proof of assets sufficient to pay for the trip, this can be theirs or yours. Somewhere on the State Department Website they probably tell you how much cash per day for each day of the trip is necessary. If they don't have the dough it might be time to set them up with an account you guys can dump cash in starting now, little by little to build up the account and that gives them a couple months of statements that look good. They can pay for the trip with it or you can charge it and they can pay you back with it. (I am assuming you will pay for the trip)

If you give them the documents they need to approve the VISA it is likely to get approved barring something you haven't posted, like indications in either of their passports of lengthy travel and overstays in other countries or US. If they have never left their country they might consider a short trip to EU so they can get the "hang" of how to process a VISA and it looks good that they go and come right back.

Good luck .

[Sergi9 110]

So, my guess is that they will apply for the B-2 visa and get denied. I am curious if it would be better if they submit the paperwork for the visa now before we submit our paperwork and just state they are planning to visit the states sometime between September and December of this year without disclosing that their daughter and grandchildren are trying to move to the states, not lying just only giving some of the facts. This would give us 6 to 9 months to get the K-1 visa approved.

Anyone have any luck with getting the in-laws over for their wedding? Anyone think my idea may work? Anyone know if I could bribe an official to get it approved? Okay, just joking about the last one, I just would like to have them here for the wedding and concerned that it will not happen and that they may never be allowed to visit their daugther and grandchildren in the states.

Thanks for any information.

Absolutely do not mislead, fluff, lie, or be clever regarding the purpose of the trip if you ever want these folks to be able to travel to US to visit grandchildren. This is exactly how to get a permanent bar to US. CBP has been at this a lot longer than you have and if you get a secondary interview they will be detected. Its not worth the risk, when if you do it right you have a good chance of getting them a VISA for something like this.

[Captain Hammer 113]

Absolutely do not mislead, fluff, lie, or be clever regarding the purpose of the trip if you ever want these folks to be able to travel to US to visit grandchildren. This is exactly how to get a permanent bar to US. CBP has been at this a lot longer than you have and if you get a secondary interview they will be detected. Its not worth the risk, when if you do it right you have a good chance of getting them a VISA for something like this.

Ah yes, fantastic point. It may not cause a perma-ban, but withholding information is always bad. In fact, disclosing that it's for the wedding of their daughter might even work in their favor.

[jb&np 0]

Absolutely do not mislead, fluff, lie, or be clever regarding the purpose of the trip if you ever want these folks to be able to travel to US to visit grandchildren. This is exactly how to get a permanent bar to US. CBP has been at this a lot longer than you have and if you get a secondary interview they will be detected. Its not worth the risk, when if you do it right you have a good chance of getting them a VISA for something like this.

Okay, I didn't think it would work but it was an idea. I will look into getting the info that you listed in your first post and see what happens. Thanks for you advice.

[baron555 934]

Okay, I didn't think it would work but it was an idea. I will look into getting the info that you listed in your first post and see what happens. Thanks for you advice.

My thought is that the intention to attend your wedding (and then state that they will return afterwards) is better grounds for approval, than just a plain old visit.

Of course there is no guarantee, so you all have to be prepared for that and not let it affect anything.

Sometimes full, innocent disclosure of all intentions and the facts is the best route. Well, of course it is.

It's amazing that many folks will pose questions here and give the impression that talking to the consulate officers is taboo or will leave them with a black mark. A simple email to the consulate goes a long ways and you get straightforward and honest answers. I emailed the consulate many times during the time just prior and while waiting for Alla's interview and never felt that it harmed our case; in some I think that it improved our chances. I was always professional and tactful and never too winded. They are real people with families too and if you portray yourselves as on the beginning of doing the same, all will be good.

[slim 1,525]

I'm with Phil on this one. A wedding is a valid reason to visit. Taken with a reasonable timetable (say, two weeks) it's likely they'll get approved provided they have a valid reason to return.

[jb&np 0]

I'm with Phil on this one. A wedding is a valid reason to visit. Taken with a reasonable timetable (say, two weeks) it's likely they'll get approved provided they have a valid reason to return.

Okay, I thought a wedding would be a valid reason to visit but research from this site does not suggest the same logic. I do not want to have a mother and father-in-law living with me. 2 weeks is the max I am suggesting also. It is just the 'proof they have a valid reason to return'.

So, do others agree that having them opening a bank account their with them depositing money in it would help the cause? I already have given my fiancee an atm card to a seperate account so she can use it to get money for the fees and other things if we decide. I could have her take around $100 a month and have her give it to them to put in this account for them to 'show' they have money for the trip. I was going to pay for their ticket so this wouldn't be an issue.

Slim - I know from reading your post you would say something like 'they can pay for the ticket themselves if they want to visit'. I am just taking a different approach to that.

[ONA 133]

So, do others agree that having them opening a bank account their with them depositing money in it would help the cause? I already have given my fiancee an atm card to a seperate account so she can use it to get money for the fees and other things if we decide. I could have her take around $100 a month and have her give it to them to put in this account for them to 'show' they have money for the trip. I was going to pay for their ticket so this wouldn't be an issue.

well... usually a paper from work, which states income is a way to show that they can pay for the trip... i'm not really sure about the account...

i'm sure though, that you can write a letter to the US consulate, explaining that you will pay for their trip, and that's just how much you love your fiancee and how much you care that herr parents will be there for your wedding, and they can take this letter to the interview with them or submit it with other paperwork - that's possible, some people do that and it actually works for them. Make sure her parents don't object the idea of you paying for everything - my fiance wants to pay for my parents' plane tickets, they are determined to pay for everything themselves, so i'm trying to do something to make sure that the situation when they have 2 extra plane tickets will not happen

Anyway, good luck to you! Hope your in-laws to be won't have any problem with getting their visas. We're in the same boat here, i really hope my parents will be able to come.

Edited March 10, 2011 by ONA

[slim 1,525]

I could have her take around $100 a month and have her give it to them to put in this account for them to 'show' they have money for the trip. I was going to pay for their ticket so this wouldn't be an issue.

Their savings should be commensurate with their jobs/lifestyle/etc. If they're "rolling in the dough" and both hold relatively menial jobs it's quite possible they're saving all that money to move to the US. Either that or their rich American benefactor is going to take care of them.

You should paint the picture that they're "normal" people living a "normal" life and would like to visit to see their daughter get married - THEN GO HOME!!! They don't need "more" money or extra anything. Just a valid reason to visit (the wedding) and a normal life to go back to.

Slim - I know from reading your post you would say something like 'they can pay for the ticket themselves if they want to visit'. I am just taking a different approach to that.

If you've already sent her an ATM card, are paying for all the expenses of the wedding, etc., I won't say they can pay for the tickets themselves. Why would they? They've hit the lottery! "Our daughter is marrying a rich American."

[baron555 934]

Okay, I thought a wedding would be a valid reason to visit but research from this site does not suggest the same logic. I do not want to have a mother and father-in-law living with me. 2 weeks is the max I am suggesting also. It is just the 'proof they have a valid reason to return'.

So, do others agree that having them opening a bank account their with them depositing money in it would help the cause? I already have given my fiancee an atm card to a seperate account so she can use it to get money for the fees and other things if we decide. I could have her take around $100 a month and have her give it to them to put in this account for them to 'show' they have money for the trip. I was going to pay for their ticket so this wouldn't be an issue.

Slim - I know from reading your post you would say something like 'they can pay for the ticket themselves if they want to visit'. I am just taking a different approach to that.

Anyone can open a bank account and have anyone transfer monies into it. To me it doesn't indicate anything.

I think you're overthinking this.

Have you emailed the Embassy yet? Actually I'd wait until you have the visa interview scheduled or better after the visa is approved to surface this subject. As it stands right now, there is no guarantee her visa will be approved until they approve it.

So any talk about MILs visiting for the wedding is just premature....like buying a plane ticket. Wait until the right time.

That will be more natural.

Make plans privately but until she has the visa in hand....she is not approved and she is not coming to the US.

It's just the way it is. We all went through it and all usually ends up just fine.