My immigrating husband's friend wants to visit us

[Misha'sgirl 44]

My husband who is in the AOS phase of the immigration process, has a friend from Russia who wants to visit us. However, this will only happen when My husband and I have purchased our first house. Right now we are renting and our focus is on getting out of the renter's world and into a nice house for the both of us. Once that happens, we're expecting his family (mom, dad and brother) to visit us. That won't be a problem for them, I don't think, getting tourist visas because they are well set where they are living and have no desire to live here. However, his friend wants to visit but I'm afraid he will have a hard time getting that tourist visa. He has a job, a car and is renting a nice flat. But as far as family ties, he doesn't really have anything holding him back. And I know consular offices get suspicious when they see there aren't enough "ties to the homeland". So my question is, What are some additional things that my husband's friend can do in order to show that he has ties? I'm asking this now, even though he won't be visiting us until a year or so from now, because he can be working on it. So, those who've had experience with this, what did you do to show you had ties to your homeland and would without doubt be returning after a little visit. He would most likely be visiting for two weeks to a month. I just want to inform him so that he can be working on it. He is one of my husband's best friends and I'd like to do what I can to help him be able to visit us. Thanks!

[JohnR! 5,495]

There is nothing either one of you can do for him. A visitor visa is granted based entirely on the applicant's ability to prove ties with the home country. As a gauge, if he has a good paying job in any professional field, he should not have any issues, but again, it all will depend on his data and there are no guarantees. Having said that he should disclose you & husband as the reason for his visit.

In the meanwhile, he can beef up his savings account so that he can show evidence of funds for the trip. Again, there are no guarantees but it might help.

Congrats on the wedding and good luck with the new house.

Edited April 18, 2014 by Gegel

[RhettVoe 282]

He either has strong reasons to return or not...trying to 'set the stage' somehow with crafted props is a sure fire way to not only get denied, but ruin his chances in the future....he either has a meaningful job or not, or other reasons...what could he do? If he is not the vice president of the company now, how would he become one within a year? If he has an ordinary, middle of the road job, well, that's not likely to represent something that he would be motivated to return to...anyway, trying to be creative can easily backfire.

[Neonred 3,562]

We have had A LOT of friends from Russia visit us the past two years. Some with good jobs and family in Russia, one a student with a part time job, and one an older woman without much savings and occasional jobs. No problems getting visas so far. Also nice now that three year visas are possible.

If his friend can show a history of traveling outside of Russia and returning, that is a big plus.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

He either has strong reasons to return or not...trying to 'set the stage' somehow with crafted props is a sure fire way to not only get denied, but ruin his chances in the future....he either has a meaningful job or not, or other reasons...what could he do? If he is not the vice president of the company now, how would he become one within a year? If he has an ordinary, middle of the road job, well, that's not likely to represent something that he would be motivated to return to...anyway, trying to be creative can easily backfire.

I understand he needs to have strong ties... That's not the question. I was pretty clear in stating that I know he needs to have strong ties. We're not trying to "set the stage" with crafted props. LOL

There is nothing either one of you can do for him. A visitor visa is granted based entirely on the applicant's ability to prove ties with the home country. As a gauge, if he has a good paying job in any professional field, he should not have any issues, but again, it all will depend on his data and there are no guarantees. Having said that he should disclose you & husband as the reason for his visit.

In the meanwhile, he can beef up his savings account so that he can show evidence of funds for the trip. Again, there are no guarantees but it might help.

Congrats on the wedding and good luck with the new house.

There is nothing we can do for him? Haha. We're just trying to gather some info (THAT'S IT, he does all the work because its his visa) from those who have gone through this before, preferably those who have experience with the embassy in Russia specifically. However, I like to hear many sides.

Thanks, we can't wait to own!

We have had A LOT of friends from Russia visit us the past two years. Some with good jobs and family in Russia, one a student with a part time job, and one an older woman without much savings and occasional jobs. No problems getting visas so far. Also nice now that three year visas are possible.

If his friend can show a history of traveling outside of Russia and returning, that is a big plus.

Thank you!

[RhettVoe 282]

you wrote: " So my question is, What are some additional things that my husband's friend can do in order to show that he has ties? I'm asking this now, even though he won't be visiting us until a year or so from now, because he can be working on it. So, those who've had experience with this, what did you do to show you had ties to your homeland and would without doubt be returning after a little visit. He would most likely be visiting for two weeks to a month. I just want to inform him so that he can be working on it."

What can he 'do'?...meaning what? As I said, he either has strong reasons already to return, or he doesn't. Loading up a bank account is NOT a strong reason to return, for the simple reason that a bank account can be emptied 20 minutes after getting a visa. So I am not sure what else he could 'do' to show he has strong reasons to return...one cannot just make up reasons...one cannot just magically obtain some promotion that might be meaningful, and buying a car or renting an apartment is not a strong reason to return either....cars can be sold, apartments can be left...so really, there is not much he can 'do' beyond offer whatever reasons he has now (or within the year before applying)/....

[Boiler 45,510]

Get married.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

Get married.

He isn't going to rush to get married just to visit us. And since my husband and I talked with him more about it, he said it would most likely be better to visit within four or five years. We agreed. However, he could still improve his life between now and there to help his chances of getting a B2 which are not easily given at the embassy in Moscow. There are ways to heighten one's chances, legally, without "props" as one has put it.

[christeen 966]

In planning a visit in the next 4-5 years... He has LOT'S of time to work hard and save money ... I would say he should Apply early enough so that if there is a denial, he has time to re-apply as needed. I would not worry too much for a possible visit that far in the future, lots of things can change (personal and geo-political) outside of anyone's control that could affect visa issuance.

[Boiler 45,510]

He isn't going to rush to get married just to visit us. And since my husband and I talked with him more about it, he said it would most likely be better to visit within four or five years. We agreed. However, he could still improve his life between now and there to help his chances of getting a B2 which are not easily given at the embassy in Moscow. There are ways to heighten one's chances, legally, without "props" as one has put it.

4 or 5 years is hardly rushing.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

4 or 5 years is hardly rushing.

Neither of us knew that at that time Well, he's planning on proposing to his long time girlfriend so maybe it'll stick.

[Boiler 45,510]

Neither of us knew that at that time Well, he's planning on proposing to his long time girlfriend so maybe it'll stick.

There we are!

A few children would not do any harm.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

There we are!

A few children would not do any harm.

I hope it happens for him. He's a very nice Russian gentleman and we'd love a visit.

[Ryan H 3,812]

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As to the original question....All your friend can do is gather as much evidence as possible to prove he will return home at the end of his visit. A bank account is no good as stated previously. We are talking real estate, family, job, education, these kinds of things.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Ryan H

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Two more ongoing bickering posts removed. Since this thread is drifting away from its intended purpose and becoming nothing more than a vehicle for back and forth bickering, it is now closed. Answers to the OP's questions have been given. It can be restarted after a 24 hour cooling off period. Any bickering in a restarted thread on this topic will result in an immediate thread ban at the very least.***