MIL Freaking Out - Tourist Visa Employment Check

[shikarnov 7]

Hi All,

After many false starts, we're hoping to get my MIL here for Thanksgiving -- to celebrate the holiday and meet her first grand child.

We're most of the way through her visa process, but she's afraid to provide us with information about her work. The reason: it's under the table, and she's concerned about getting people in trouble.

They're willing to put her on the books officially, but only back-logged for a few months (she's been with the company for five years) and only for a salary of $200 per month (although she really makes closer to $200 per week).

So she's not sure -- and neither am I -- which will be better.

On the one hand, a new job with a small salary isn't going to win any points at the embassy.

On the other hand, if the embassy starts poking around trying to verify her unofficial employment, the company won't vouch for her. Plus she's concerned it might trigger an investigation into the company's dealings by the Russian government.

Do you guys have any thoughts?

Thanks,

Z

[stevie b 141]

oi ####### I just re read and saw this was for the beneficiary??

income of no importance, they will not verify

Edited September 17, 2013 by stevie b

[1HappyGuy 45]

Everything that I've seen before says, that unless there is a compelling reason that the person applying for a tourist visa should return to their home country, the visa will be denied. Generally this has been work related, but also having property is an indication that the person intends to return. I think you should encourage your mother in law to obtain a letter from her employer that she is an integral part of the business and that the employer is reluctantly allowing her to be gone for a time.

[shikarnov 7]

Well, she has property, a husband, and a son (although he is an adult) who will be remaining in Russia. So I'm hoping that will factor into their decision.

As for the letter -- I'll advise her to do that, in order to bring it to the interview with her, but this initial application process is being done entirely online. And before any interview is granted, they want to know the employment details. It's part of the online form.

:-/

[SMR 368]

The establishment of ties to the country is all very shaky. ANY job does little to guarantee someone will return unless it is an absolutely fantastic job. In the US, $200 a week is less than minimum wage. I wouldn't worry too much about the job. Just be honest and provide as little info as possible. It's unlikely to really be a deciding factor.

The one thing I always say when these types of threads come up is that a past history of international travel is a fairly good indicator of success.

[shikarnov 7]

Thanks everybody for your time and attention. Still not sure what to do, precisely, but I guess we'll wing it and see what happens.

(PS: I really hate this visa process -- the arrogance of assuming that everybody wants to stay here is staggering and insulting. My MIL has zero interest in living in the oh-so-wonderful US of A, and is only even willing to visit because we're family).

[Darnell 8,478]

- the arrogance of assuming that everybody wants to stay here is staggering and insulting.

This is mandated in 9FAM and US LAW.

So, you can forget the 'arrogance' portion - the base assumption of 'intending immigrant' is mandated by law. It's on the tourist visa applicant to overcome that, during the interview.

The Vice-Consul is mandated, by law, to start with this base assumption, first and foremost.

Who to thank, for this? All of the folk who came into the USA on a tourist visa, and overstayed. It's them you should be chasing, in the USA. Refocus yer energies a bit, help out ICE at least once a week. You'll feel better, I SWEAR !

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

oi ####### I just re read and saw this was for the beneficiary??

income of no importance, they will not verify

He is speaking about a tourist visa. Try to read before answering. They very well MAy check with the employer

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks everybody for your time and attention. Still not sure what to do, precisely, but I guess we'll wing it and see what happens.

(PS: I really hate this visa process -- the arrogance of assuming that everybody wants to stay here is staggering and insulting. My MIL has zero interest in living in the oh-so-wonderful US of A, and is only even willing to visit because we're family).

NO ONE in Ukraine is going to get in any trouble. The USA could not possibly care less if your MIL works under the table or not. They MAY contact her employer to verify her employment but I doubt it.

Most likely she will be rejected without reviewing her information. Employment in Ukraine means pretty much nothing for a tourist visa. Pay scales are so low that an attorney in Ukraine can usually make more as a dishwasher in the USA so a job is of little "compelling reason" to return, especially when she has a daughter and grandchild in the USA

Bottom line? She has little chance to get a tourist visa and NO chance of getting in trouble in Ukraine.

Best chance to get a visa...have her apply for a Shengen visa, visit an EU country for a few days (Poland will do) and THEN apply for a US tourist visa.

[AmyWrites 593]

I don't know how it goes in Kiev, but my husband received a much higher salary under the table, in the books, it was much lower.... no one cared. They only asked about his previous travels to Europe.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I don't know how it goes in Kiev, but my husband received a much higher salary under the table, in the books, it was much lower.... no one cared. They only asked about his previous travels to Europe.

Our daughter in law to be was attending MIPT with a full scholarship for a MS degree and was denied without ever reviewing her evidence. She was aksed ONLY "have you ever traveled outside of of the Former Soviet Union?" answer NO. Denied. She got a shengen visa with no diffuclty, went to Germany and Spain for a few days each. Applied again, was asked the SAME question and was approved.

Alla applied for a visa prior to meeting me in order to attend an exhibition as an interpreter for her employer. The consulate called her employer. They verified Alla worked for them. They were told to hire an interpreter in NYC. Denied.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks everybody for your time and attention. Still not sure what to do, precisely, but I guess we'll wing it and see what happens.

(PS: I really hate this visa process -- the arrogance of assuming that everybody wants to stay here is staggering and insulting. My MIL has zero interest in living in the oh-so-wonderful US of A, and is only even willing to visit because we're family).

Alla got her Mom approved for an IR-5 immigrant visa and now she won't come!

I think some of it is not so much the idea that they want to live in the USA but that they want to live ANYWHERE except the FSU. Probably equally as arrogant

[vbtwo 54]

I really hate this visa process -- the arrogance of assuming that everybody wants to stay here is staggering and insulting. My MIL has zero interest in living in the oh-so-wonderful US of A, and is only even willing to visit because we're family

MIL of my cousin constantly tells them to move to Russia and live there. She did get a US visa and has visited them here a few times, and every time she comes all she does is complain about how horrible everything is here and how great it is in Russia.

[Turboguy 6]

You don't have a lot to lose. It isn't that expensive and when we applied for my MIL it was approved without any problems. Once you get the first one behind you it is a piece of cake. My MIL has been here 3 times.

MIL of my cousin constantly tells them to move to Russia and live there. She did get a US visa and has visited them here a few times, and every time she comes all she does is complain about how horrible everything is here and how great it is in Russia.

She is probably a natural born grouch. If she lived here and visited there she would be likely talking about how great it is here and how terrible there. Some people live to complain. I have seen lots of cases where someone moves here and complains then goes back and realizes how much better it really is here. I like Russia but can't say my list of what is better there would be very long between the weather, the corruption, and lots more.

[Darnell 8,478]

shikarnov

any news?