MIL from Dominican Republic - Invitation letter?

[ACsMama 0]

We are hoping to have my mother-in-law come visit the US this summer, from Dominican Republic. She has paperwork showing she owns a business, a rental property, and her own home. She has 5 children and bunches of grandchildren (around 15) IN the DR, and only one son and one grandchild in the US. All of this should be enough to show that she will most likely return to DR, and that she has enough money for the trip, so I don't foresee an issue getting her tourist Visa.

My husband insists that we send a letter of invitation and proof of OUR financial status, and saying that we promise to cover all her expenses related to her trip, etc. This seems to go against what the embassy website says and against what I have read here in the forums, but he is insistent that everybody he knows who goes to get a tourist Visa has to take a letter of invitation from someone in the US showing their finances can cover their visitor.

I guess what I am asking is, does anyone have experience trying to get a tourist Visa with/without an invitation letter like this, and do you think it will hurt her chance if we do send it (I am leaning toward doing it anyway just to stop the arguments with DH!)?

Any advice for getting things through stubborn Dominican heads?

[Hypnos 6,576]

The alien must meet the requirements for a B-2 on their own merits.

A letter of invitation from you could well harm, not help, her case.

[jaycali 415]

We are hoping to have my mother-in-law come visit the US this summer, from Dominican Republic. She has paperwork showing she owns a business, a rental property, and her own home. She has 5 children and bunches of grandchildren (around 15) IN the DR, and only one son and one grandchild in the US. All of this should be enough to show that she will most likely return to DR, and that she has enough money for the trip, so I don't foresee an issue getting her tourist Visa.

My husband insists that we send a letter of invitation and proof of OUR financial status, and saying that we promise to cover all her expenses related to her trip, etc. This seems to go against what the embassy website says and against what I have read here in the forums, but he is insistent that everybody he knows who goes to get a tourist Visa has to take a letter of invitation from someone in the US showing their finances can cover their visitor.

I guess what I am asking is, does anyone have experience trying to get a tourist Visa with/without an invitation letter like this, and do you think it will hurt her chance if we do send it (I am leaning toward doing it anyway just to stop the arguments with DH!)?

Any advice for getting things through stubborn Dominican heads?

Your husband is wrong. If a Dominican millionaire wants to visit his unemployed brother in New York, should he have a letter showing his unemployed brother can cover all of his travel expenses?

If you are in fact covering all of your MIL's travel expenses, it might be a good idea to send her something to bring in case she's asked about finances, but this is not a requirement at all. Anyone applying for a tourist visa has to apply on their own merit - having family in the US is not necessarily helpful to an application. It's a double edged sword - you wouldn't just be showing that you can pay for her trip, you'd also be showing that you can pay for her to live in the US if she decided to want to spend some "extra time" here.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Jay Jay

[MrTee12 64]

We are hoping to have my mother-in-law come visit the US this summer, from Dominican Republic. She has paperwork showing she owns a business, a rental property, and her own home. She has 5 children and bunches of grandchildren (around 15) IN the DR, and only one son and one grandchild in the US. All of this should be enough to show that she will most likely return to DR, and that she has enough money for the trip, so I don't foresee an issue getting her tourist Visa.

My husband insists that we send a letter of invitation and proof of OUR financial status, and saying that we promise to cover all her expenses related to her trip, etc. This seems to go against what the embassy website says and against what I have read here in the forums, but he is insistent that everybody he knows who goes to get a tourist Visa has to take a letter of invitation from someone in the US showing their finances can cover their visitor.

I guess what I am asking is, does anyone have experience trying to get a tourist Visa with/without an invitation letter like this, and do you think it will hurt her chance if we do send it (I am leaning toward doing it anyway just to stop the arguments with DH!)?

Any advice for getting things through stubborn Dominican heads?

Read info below

Do I need an invitation from an American citizen or someone in the US in order to qualify for a tourist visa?

May 7, 2012

In order to qualify for a visa for business or pleasure to the United States, each applicant must demonstrate that they qualify based on U.S. immigration law and: 1) They have a residence in a foreign country to which they will return to after their temporary visit; 2) Intend to enter the United States for a period of a specifically limited duration; and 3) Will go to the U.S. to engage in legitimate activities relating to business or pleasure.

The first requirement, proof of residence, is generally evaluated by looking at an applicant’s ties to their country. Ties can be employment, property ownership, university studies, and/or family. Each applicant’s ties are unique and are considered individually by a Consular Officer.

The applicant must also convince the Consular Officer that he or she will remain in the United States only for a limited duration and will return to the Dominican Republic following the temporary visit. The length of stay must make sense with the purpose of the trip. It is beneficial to the applicant to be specific about the purpose of the trip so that the Consular Officer can make the best possible decision regarding the case.

In addition to demonstrating strong ties, an individual must show that he or she will use the visa appropriately. This means convincing the Consular Officer that all activities in which the applicant expects to engage in while in the United States are legal and consistent with the claimed nonimmigrant status. This is the case regardless of the applicant's financial situation or ties abroad.

Based on the interview, a Consular Officer determines whether or not the applicant qualifies for a visa. We understand the wish of U.S. citizens and residents to have family members visit the United States, and to send letters of invitation. An invitation is not required and cannot guarantee visa issuance. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of a sponsor's assurance.

http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/atc-120507.html

[ACsMama 0]

Thank you! I will make him read what you all said - hopefully it will change his mind (not holding my breathe, though )

[Waiting234 18]

My wife hears the same rumors, that we need to invite them. What did you wind up doing to help them visit? We'd love to invite them to watch the kids sometimes (and see their grandchildren), especially during holidays. But they probably won't qualify for their own tourist visa. I guess we are out of luck?

[TBoneTX 45,284]

Thread from 2013 is now closed to further comment.

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