Question - Tourist Visa for my Mum

[zeezawrydan 1]

Hi Guys, I am a resident here in the states since 2011 and my husband is a USC. We just bought a new home and wanted my mum to come over and visit to help. She is planning to stay 2- 3 months and go back once we are settled.

I have been through getting a tourist visa process in 2009, I got mine in Hong Kong which was fairly easy because I had a Job, an apartment and a good amount of savings in my bank account meaning I had a lot of ties in that country. I applied, had the interview and got a 10yr conditional tourist visa- easy shweezy.

My problem is my Mum is in the Philippines (which is known as one of the toughest embassy to get visas from) and she doesn't have a job, or savings or anything in her name that would tie her over to the philippines. I support her and send her Money every month and that is how she gets her income for her Meds, food and bills. How can we apply given her situation? Would it help if I send the embassy a letter to assure them that My husband and I will be responsible for Tickets, Lodging, food etc. etc.?

What are the docs needed from us in order to get my Mum a visa? What would she need? Thanks a bunch for all your help guys!

[cdneh 3,112]

She has to apply herself, and she must qualify on her own merits as well.

[Caryh 5,206]

That is going to be a tough one. She needs to qualify in her own. Does she at least have other children there? Does she own any property or a home? They do not want to hear that you will support her in the USA. I would think that probably would do more harm, since why should she go back when all her ties and income is from the USA? Plus the idea of her coming to help you set up your new home might be considered taking work from legal residents. She wants to say its to visit her daughter, not to be helping you out. Does she at least get SS in the Philippines? Does she have grandchildren there she watches? You need to find reasons she'll return, not reasons she'll stay in the USA, which is about the only reasons you've given so far.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Your mom must apply on her own an qualify on her own.

A letter from you will not help since it would not show strong ties to her home country.

[redvelvet 12]

Usually, the US embassy in Manila is lenient to parents of US residents, especially of senior citizen age. They are usually hard on the working age group because these are the people who end up staying illegally.

She just needs to show that she can afford it or show proof that you will pay for her expenses.

I would suggest that you send her a little bit of money to put on her bank account. An amount more than enough for a plane ticket to US.

Good luck!

[jaycali 415]

Hi Guys, I am a resident here in the states since 2011 and my husband is a USC. We just bought a new home and wanted my mum to come over and visit to help. She is planning to stay 2- 3 months and go back once we are settled. I have been through getting a tourist visa process in 2009, I got mine in Hong Kong which was fairly easy because I had a Job, an apartment and a good amount of savings in my bank account meaning I had a lot of ties in that country. I applied, had the interview and got a 10yr conditional tourist visa- easy shweezy.My problem is my Mum is in the Philippines (which is known as one of the toughest embassy to get visas from) and she doesn't have a job, or savings or anything in her name that would tie her over to the philippines. I support her and send her Money every month and that is how she gets her income for her Meds, food and bills. How can we apply given her situation? Would it help if I send the embassy a letter to assure them that My husband and I will be responsible for Tickets, Lodging, food etc. etc.? What are the docs needed from us in order to get my Mum a visa? What would she need? Thanks a bunch for all your help guys!

She will apply the same way you applied in 2009.

Her case would usually be a difficult one given she has very few ties to the Philippines. A letter from you may help her prove she can pay for her trip. However, most tourist visas aren't denied because the embassy doubts the applicant's ability to pay for their trip. Tourist visas are most commonly denied because the embassy doesn't believe the applicant will actually return home. This is were ties come into the picture. The COs want to see ties to the applicant's home country because having a job, income, property, immediate family etc. makes a person inclined to want to return.

However..

Usually, the US embassy in Manila is lenient to parents of US residents, especially of senior citizen age. They are usually hard on the working age group because these are the people who end up staying illegally.She just needs to show that she can afford it or show proof that you will pay for her expenses.I would suggest that you send her a little bit of money to put on her bank account. An amount more than enough for a plane ticket to US. Good luck!

I'm inclined to believe that redvelvet has a valid point here. I have absolutely no experience with the embassy in Manila, other than having plenty of Filipino-American friends and posts I've read here on VJ. This may be PI specific, but it would not surprise me if it's true.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Jay Jay