Tourist Visa from Haiti

[Need Some Advice 0]

I'm beginning the process of helping a young Haitian (I befriended while visiting there) and her 1 year old son apply for a tourist Visa to the US. She is married, has a home and a business and has her passports. She has her medical info and, I believe, all pertinent documents to make the application on DS160. Do you have ANY advice or anything to share about increasing the chances of getting this Visa? Her dad lives in NY. He hasn't seen his family for 19 years. Obviously they want to reconnect. I will be sponsoring the trip. WIll the baby coming mean any additional problems? Thoughts anyone?

[Boiler 45,993]

What is her Father's status, why has he not visited her in all these years?

[justashooter 430]

agreed that her father's status is a key to this question. if he is overstay or otherwise illegal her chances are near zil.

[jaycali 415]

That is not true. You cannot be denied a visa based on the actions of your family members.

I agree that if the father is overstayed or illegal, her chances will be slimmer - But she cannot be denied a visa solely on her father's (potential) immigration status. She applies on her own merit, and if the CO doesn't think her father's (potential) lack of status will cause her to overstay, no problem. If the CO believes that she may be using the visa to immigrate to the US and be with her father, no visa.

Visiting family or friends though, is a fully legitimate reason to apply for a tourist visa.

The best thing she can do is to be honest about her intentions for the trip, and to use what evidence of ties she has to Haiti to show that she has something to return to.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Jay Jay

[Boiler 45,993]

I would be hard pushed to remember someone being given a specific reason for a visa refusal.

It would be very unusual but not impossible for someone to be given a visa to visit a family member in the US without status.

[jaycali 415]

I would be hard pushed to remember someone being given a specific reason for a visa refusal.It would be very unusual but not impossible for someone to be given a visa to visit a family member in the US without status.

214(b) denials are rarely stated to be for one specific reason, true.

Just making the OP aware that if her father is overstayed or illegal, that alone isn't a ground for her inadmissibility. Rather, it's a reason to suspect immigrant intent, which again is a ground of inadmissibility.

[mtcmk1 37]

I would suggest that she makes sure she has "patents" for her business with her, a bank statement, and proof of her ties to Haiti... (meaning: job, family, business, and anything else that may help her out...) Good luck!