Getting a tourist visa while waiting for an immigrant visa

[Oflorida 0]

10 years ago, my sister tried to come to the US and was denied twice. Currently, she is not married and has a 13 years old daughter. My mother who is a perminant resident applied for an immigrant visa for her 9 months ago.

My sister would like to come here for a few weeks as a tourist, while she is waiting for her immigrant visa. Would the immigrant visa that she is waiting have a negative impact on her ability getting a tourist visa, and does she have to disclose that she is waiting for an immigrant visa?

[canadian_wife 1,827]

The pending immigrant visa shows immigrant intent, typically CO's dont' like to see immigrant intent when issuing a tourist visa, as tourist visas are for non-immigrants. To combat this she'll need hefty ties to Russia, what does she have now that she didn't have the last time she tried for a tourist visa?

Good luck

[Inky 1,111]

, and does she have to disclose that she is waiting for an immigrant visa?

If she doesn't they can find out and then she will be caught for misrepresentation which is a big problem.

NEVER lie.

[Oflorida 0]

When she came the first time, I wasn't the US citizen yet. In her case nothing has changed other than her daughter is 10 years older. Also, her interview was on September 12, 2001. I don't know if that had an impact or not. But it sounds to me that she should wait her immigrant visa.

[Neonred 3,637]

Back in 2007 my step daughter was denied a J-1 visa, and shortly after we applied for her immigrant visa. She is now finally going to have her interview next month, but in the past two years has visited us on a tourist visa that she applied for and was awarded while her immigration visa was pending. Yes, they know about previously denied and pending visas.

One thing that seemed to help was that in 2008 we all took a trip and met in western Europe. My step daughter got a Schengen visa for that trip. It seems that people that have traveled out of Russia on some type of visa and returned are much more likely to have success getting a tourist visa to the US

[Oflorida 0]

Thank you so much for your comments. It is very helpful.

[Boiler 46,016]

No downside in trying.

[Harsh_77 718]

It would be difficult to get a tourist visa while immigrant visa is in the process, no harm in giving a try.

Having a daughter does not change anything - Since I am assuming her daughter would be going on the visit to US as well.

Also as previous poster mentioned having visa from other countries is also not a sure shot, but you can try

[Oflorida 0]

She wants to leave her daughter at home. I hope it will help to get the visa.