requirements to bring parent for visiting me in US

[Kivi44 0]

I am a permanent resident . and would like to have my mother come visit me for my college graduation. What is required for her to get a B2 visitor visa.? Can i sponsor her ( i came on a k1 - 8 years ago) or must my husband(citizen) .. Does he need to invite her with a letter ? does he have to file a 134 of financial responsibilty? or can my mom just show means on her own?? and if so what - if she wil be staying with us? pls help if anyone has been through this process

[aleful 1,905]

hi

nobody needs to do anything. she must apply for the tourist visa and get it based on her own merits

[Kivi44 0]

hi,

thanks

how much of "her own merrits" is required for a 40 day visit?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

**** Moving from Bringing Family to Tourist visa forum as OP's mother does not want to stay ****

Basically, she needs to show more reasons to go home than she has to be in the USA, with you. So for example a good job back home, minor kids still depending on her, husband who stays home, that sort of thing.

[RhettVoe 282]

All of her own merits are required...none of yours.

[sharky-rex 76]

If she owns property back home that could also show ties. A letter of invitation from you might help, or something to show when you're graduating. It's really up to the CO.

[Kivi44 0]

Does she need to show her bank account statement, how much she has for a travel? How much do they require for a minimum? Or is it understood, that since she is visiting me than all is going to be covered by a family she is visiting (meaning me)?

[sharky-rex 76]

The first time I applied for a tourist visa the CO said he almost denied my petition due to a lack of funds, but since she filled out a i-134 for me he gave me a single entry visa. The second time I went a different CO just asked who was paying for my trip and gave me a 10 year multiple entry one. (I was a student both times.) It really depends on who you get and where you are. You never said where she lives -- if it's a high fraud country she'll probably have a harder time.

That said, I'd bring a letter from her employer is she's working, showing how much she's earning and when they expect her back, or whatever document they have to show how much her pension is if she's retired, any documents showing she owns a house or a vehicle, bank account statements if she has savings, birth certificates of any minor children or something showing she's supporting a child still in college like tax returns, payment confirmations etc. I also think it's a good idea for you to send her a letter inviting her to your graduation, and a filled out i-134. It might not make a difference, but at least you'll have done all you could.

[Kivi44 0]

The first time I applied for a tourist visa the CO said he almost denied my petition due to a lack of funds, but since she filled out a i-134 for me he gave me a single entry visa. The second time I went a different CO just asked who was paying for my trip and gave me a 10 year multiple entry one. (I was a student both times.) It really depends on who you get and where you are. You never said where she lives -- if it's a high fraud country she'll probably have a harder time.

Interesting... Thank you for sharing this.

How much was "the lack of funds" according to your CO?

My mom is in Kazakstan (Almaty). My brother-in-law told me today he only had 300$ on his card when he was interviewed for his B-1/B-2 visa, of course he had a different situation, business trip.

[RhettVoe 282]

There is no specific dollar amount required in one's bank account (and besides, money in an account can be siphoned off two minutes after getting a visa)...the COs want to be certain that the applicant will (a) return when they said and (b) not engage in unauthorized employment, including providing child care for one's offspring, so said offspring can return to work and not have to shell out for day care....a CO with some experience knows or believes that in some cases, when the applicant is from a relatively poor country, that close relatives may well be paying the freight....what the CO does not want to see happen is that the possible visa holder repays that generosity by doing some work around the house, car wash or restaurant or construction site....how the applicant convinces the CO of this is up to the applicant...there are no bright line requirements an applicant must fulfill (such as having $X or $Y in the bank, or a job that pays $XX or $YY, or owning a home or land)...other than convince the CO of their true intentions...(of course, the CO will be called upon to judge the reasons given for the prompt return of the applicant....and often this is where people from developing countries may well have a tougher time getting over the 214b bar versus those who live in western Europe, for ex)...and that's just the way it is...large hordes of western European citizens are not flocking to the US in droves to wash dishes or clean hotel rooms....compared to the thundering herds arriving from less economically developed countries...and that's just the burden one must carry if one is from one of those parts of the world....rules might not be fair or even handed...but then...on what planet do such conditions exist? None that we know of....(yet)..

[sharky-rex 76]

No problem. I was a broke student so the lack was really lacking. I think I had around $400 for a 9 day stay. The CO asked me how much money I'm bringing but didn't ask for anything to document it. What really worked in my favor was that I was enrolled in classes and obviously had to be back after spring break. I also had a return ticket, though I really don't recommend this unless you can afford to throw away that money. Your mother should be prepared for the same question at passport check, and they could ask her to show any cash or credit cards she claims to have with her. The CBP officer asked to see my i-134 as well.

Was your brother-in-law's visa approved?

Interesting... Thank you for sharing this.

How much was "the lack of funds" according to your CO?

My mom is in Kazakstan (Almaty). My brother-in-law told me today he only had 300$ on his card when he was interviewed for his B-1/B-2 visa, of course he had a different situation, business trip.

Edited January 22, 2014 by sharky-rex

[Kivi44 0]

Was your brother-in-law's visa approved?

Yes, it was.

His job was located in Kazakhstan but they sent him for study and experience with the new equipment for a few months. But, I feel that 300$ is irrelavent in this situation, since the company is in charge for all the expenses at this point

[Kivi44 0]

money in an account can be siphoned off two minutes after getting a visa)...

that is so true!

I did not even think about "unotherized employment" , it does make sense then to get her bank statements. Thank you!