Is it easier as a USC?

[WillyKid 0]

My mother-in-law (Ukraine) is 0 for 2 in trying to get a visitor's Visa to USA to visit us. My wife should have her citizenship here in a few months. At that point, she can petition her (with me as a co-sponsor). Do requests/applications to bring family members of USC to America (for a visit) become less scrutinized than when my wife was a Permanent Resident?

Thanks!

- Willy

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My mother-in-law (Ukraine) is 0 for 2 in trying to get a visitor's Visa to USA to visit us. My wife should have her citizenship here in a few months. At that point, she can petition her (with me as a co-sponsor). Do requests/applications to bring family members of USC to America (for a visit) become less scrutinized than when my wife was a Permanent Resident?

Thanks!

- Willy

No. But your wife, as a citizen, can petition to bring her mother here as a permanent resident the same way you petitioed your wife. A visitor visa is a visitor visa and is determined by the consulate's being satisfied your MIL will not immigrate illegally. Your wife's status has little or nothing to do with a visitor visa for your MIL. Visitor visas do not require "sponsors"

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

My mother-in-law (Ukraine) is 0 for 2 in trying to get a visitor's Visa to USA to visit us. My wife should have her citizenship here in a few months. At that point, she can petition her (with me as a co-sponsor). Do requests/applications to bring family members of USC to America (for a visit) become less scrutinized than when my wife was a Permanent Resident?

Thanks!

- Willy

Actually, if anything, your wife being a citizen will make it even more difficult for her mom to get a visitor's visa. The parent of a US citizen is eligible for an immediate relative IR5 immigrant visa, which means she would be eligible to adjust status and get a green card after entering with a non-immigrant visa. Doing this with preconceived intent is considered to be misuse of the non-immigrant visa, so consulates go out of their way to prevent it.

She's been turned down twice for a visitors visa, most probably because they suspect she'll try to immigrate, and she wasn't able to prove sufficient ties to her home country to convince them otherwise. If she applies again with a daughter who is a US citizen then the suspicion that she'll try to immigrate gets ratcheted up a few notches.

Although it's time consuming and expensive, you might consider having your wife petition for her mom to get an IR5 visa after your wife becomes a US citizen. Your step-mom could then come and visit as long as she likes, and she'll have all the rights of a permanent resident. When she's ready to go home she can surrender her green card at any US consulate. After that it will probably be easier for her to get a visitors visa.