DS-160 requirements for Cambodian Mother in law. Correct info?

[Marc & Solika 1]

Hi all!

My Cambodian mother in law wants to visit us in the US. She will soon fill out the DS-160 form online with the help of a translation company in Cambodia that is supposed to be familiar with this process. My only question is that they are telling her that she needs a letter from her daughter and son in law (me, US citizen), stating where she will be staying and for how long, and take it to the interview. I don't feel this is correct. It seems to me, this will hurt her chances of being approved. As I understand, they don't care about who you will be visiting and for what, but ONLY that you will RETURN. Am I correct? Thanks for any help you guys may provide

Marc & Solika

[CC90 90]

Yes, you are generally correct.

Given where she's applying, the letter doesn't mean much (if anything).

That doesn't mean, however, that she can't bring it and have it in case they ask for an invitation of some sort.

[Marc & Solika 1]

Thanks CC90!

[ArianneChris 6]

I guess the letter could be proof that she is going there to visit you and return. It could highlight the fact that she is going there for a legitimate reason with a definite endpoint. It will most likely depend on your country if she needs it or not. I applied for a visitor's visa, and I just said that I was going there for vacation, and I had family there. Didn't really need to provide proof that I had family there, but you do write a contact person and address you'll be staying at the US... But then again it's a low-risk consulate

Edited August 26, 2013 by ArianneChris

[aaron2020 11,651]

She doesn't need it.

The translator probably just want more fees.

The letter will neither help or hurt since she already has to disclose on the visa application that her daughter lives in the US. The letter adds no new information that would be relevant.

You can tell them no and have your wife and MIL blame you for for the denial, or you can suck it up like my brother did for his wife's mother because he would rather pay for unnecessary services if it cost him very little versus the bitching that he may have to listen to.

Sometime the right thing is what makes them happy and not blame you. It's often not what we think is prudent.

Although it's BS, my advice is to do it.

[Marc & Solika 1]

Thanks guys for your comments. I will go ahead like most of you have suggested and write the letter. If she needs it, it there and if not she just doesn't use it. I tend to agree with aaron2020. There seems to be so much mis-information in other countries in regards to the requirements needed to come to the US with any type of visa. There's always someone's brother's cousin's aunt's friend who got a visa this way or that way, and the info is passed around so much that its all wrong and outdated. Thank goodness for VJ!!

[savath123 0]

Hello all,

How do I start a new topic so that it appears in Cambodia portal as the one I am replying to now.

I know this much:

Forums/General Discussion Area/Regional Discussion/Asia:East and Pacific.

Is there anything to add to so that the topic will shows at Cambodia portal?

Thanks

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

On 8/25/2013 at 9:49 PM, aaron2020 said:

She doesn't need it.

The translator probably just want more fees.

The letter will neither help or hurt since she already has to disclose on the visa application that her daughter lives in the US. The letter adds no new information that would be relevant.

You can tell them no and have your wife and MIL blame you for for the denial, or you can suck it up like my brother did for his wife's mother because he would rather pay for unnecessary services if it cost him very little versus the bitching that he may have to listen to.

Sometime the right thing is what makes them happy and not blame you. It's often not what we think is prudent.

Although it's BS, my advice is to do it.

one of the best piece of advice I've seen on this site.