Tourist visa for my parents and unmarried sister (only sibling)- how to prove ties?

[courageous girl 0]

Hi dear forum members,

Kindly let me know how to prove ties of my parents and my unmarried sister age: 18 years to my country Pakistan?

I am a Greencard holder living in US, and my father is retired with own home (property) in Pakistan. Mother is housewife, while sister is studying in University.

They want to apply for tourist visa all together. Please let me know the chances of they coming together.

Else what would be the better option? Mother and sister coming together and father staying back should work? And then when mom and sis return, father can visit later?

Please help.

Regards

[Boiler 45,906]

They apply individually.

What ties does she have?

[subz 6]

I would say.. first try for parents.. if they return in time, it will be on the file appearing they are part of law abiding family.. not the ones who change mind as soon as they land..

have a reason for visit.. if they say they are coming to help you they will be denied as indirectly they will be taking away a housekeeping job.. if they say they are visiting for vacation, they will be asked if they have traveled before, where and when etc.. plus have an itinerary and requisite money in place... if they are visiting to attend graduation ceremony, university details will be asked..

ties such property are weak.. anyone can sell property remotely and transfer money to a bank account.. is your sister staying with your parents? she can be a good tie if she is staying back..

when your sister applies, she has better chances of getting visa before her degree is complete or she has a job in hand... because she will be required to return to complete degree or continue job..

I do not know your full situation.. it varies a lot based on circumstances.. send me a msg if you need more info.

Good luck.

[courageous girl 0]

They apply individually.

What ties does she have?

Of course they 'll apply indvidually. What I meant is that shall they all visit me all together? Or are the visa chances only good if few members of the household stay back, while one or two travel, so as to show strong ties back in homeland?

[courageous girl 0]

I would say.. first try for parents.. if they return in time, it will be on the file appearing they are part of law abiding family.. not the ones who change mind as soon as they land..

have a reason for visit.. if they say they are coming to help you they will be denied as indirectly they will be taking away a housekeeping job.. if they say they are visiting for vacation, they will be asked if they have traveled before, where and when etc.. plus have an itinerary and requisite money in place... if they are visiting to attend graduation ceremony, university details will be asked..

ties such property are weak.. anyone can sell property remotely and transfer money to a bank account.. is your sister staying with your parents? she can be a good tie if she is staying back..

when your sister applies, she has better chances of getting visa before her degree is complete or she has a job in hand... because she will be required to return to complete degree or continue job..

I do not know your full situation.. it varies a lot based on circumstances.. send me a msg if you need more info.

Good luck.

Mother is housewife, but she has also travelled internationally before. Sister and Dad have not. So please advise how to apply for sister and Dad too (even if its after my mom has visited US and come back to Pakistan, can then they all 3 apply together then?)

sister is staying with parents in the same house. It wont be possible for her to stay back alone, but father shall have to stay back with her, while my mother visis USA. But I want to know how to make chances of my sister visiting USA better for future? University enrollment is fine. What else can we do to prove that she 'll return to Pakistan after she visits USA with my parents?

Plus I am not clear about the reason to visit for my mother. The real reason is of course she wants to visit my home and meet me, and also visit the USA. But tourism alone is not the reason. Reason is to visit a daughter's house for company. Isn't this a good reason? Kindly advise.

[subz 6]

So your mother having traveled is helpful... I am confused about "(even if its after my mom has visited US and come back to Pakistan, can then they all 3 apply together then?)"

If your mother gets visa first she will not have to apply again with them..

mother and father make a couple so it was fine if they applied together, would look reasonable that husband is accompanying wife.. but since your sister can not be alone, try for mom alone, then father, then sister.. if you try to do all at once, if may look like they are trying to immigrate rather than visit... tell ur mom when CO asks why your husband is not going with you "second daughter is currently studying at so and so university in so and so city.. she needs parental support.. so he will be with her while I am abroad" DO NOT say she cannt be alone.. that would mean you have no relatives or support back home (no ties)

does your father have pension or another regular source of income.. it will be nice if they mention on DS-160 that they are self sponsoring rather than you sponsoring..

Once ur mom has visa and when father fills DS-160, ask him to fill ur mom as accompanying person. do same when your sister applies.

Its generally difficult for youngsters to get visit visa, but if your family abides by law, it will be easier for her.. when is her study getting completed? is she planing to do further studies in US? Has she traveled before? for her tourism will make better chance rather than just visit ..it would seem unreasonable that a young sister will spend about 2 lakh rupees just on visiting another sister.. now you could argue saying she is studying so u will sponsor her ticket.. but that will actually be a negative.. US wants visitors to spend money brought from abroad.. not other way round... tourism generally excites youngsters so it is a reasonable reason.. lot of youngsters these days go to places like dubai as first time visitors as it is doable in less than 25 thousand rupees..

For mom reason ought to be visit + tourism... is she stays home all the time on visit, would deem like she is dependent .. I know it may not sound right for a south asian ..we just love our families to be around but COs treat it differently..

[courageous girl 0]

So your mother having traveled is helpful... I am confused about "(even if its after my mom has visited US and come back to Pakistan, can then they all 3 apply together then?)"

If your mother gets visa first she will not have to apply again with them..

mother and father make a couple so it was fine if they applied together, would look reasonable that husband is accompanying wife.. but since your sister can not be alone, try for mom alone, then father, then sister.. if you try to do all at once, if may look like they are trying to immigrate rather than visit... tell ur mom when CO asks why your husband is not going with you "second daughter is currently studying at so and so university in so and so city.. she needs parental support.. so he will be with her while I am abroad" DO NOT say she cannt be alone.. that would mean you have no relatives or support back home (no ties)

does your father have pension or another regular source of income.. it will be nice if they mention on DS-160 that they are self sponsoring rather than you sponsoring..

Once ur mom has visa and when father fills DS-160, ask him to fill ur mom as accompanying person. do same when your sister applies.

Its generally difficult for youngsters to get visit visa, but if your family abides by law, it will be easier for her.. when is her study getting completed? is she planing to do further studies in US? Has she traveled before? for her tourism will make better chance rather than just visit ..it would seem unreasonable that a young sister will spend about 2 lakh rupees just on visiting another sister.. now you could argue saying she is studying so u will sponsor her ticket.. but that will actually be a negative.. US wants visitors to spend money brought from abroad.. not other way round... tourism generally excites youngsters so it is a reasonable reason.. lot of youngsters these days go to places like dubai as first time visitors as it is doable in less than 25 thousand rupees..

For mom reason ought to be visit + tourism... is she stays home all the time on visit, would deem like she is dependent .. I know it may not sound right for a south asian ..we just love our families to be around but COs treat it differently..

Thanks a bunch for your expert advice. By saying (even if its after my mom has visited US and come back to Pakistan, can then they all 3 apply together then?), I meant that can they ever visit me all together? The idea of a family get together in US really fascinates me, so when my mom visits me in US and gets back to Pakistan, then next year can they all apply together?

I got your point about my sister. I shall make sure now she travels to Dubai and any other tourism place, before she applies for US visit visa, as she has not travelled before. Then her reason of applying would be: Tourism in US. But then can she mention she will be staying at her sister's place in US instead of a hotel? Also, can she apply for student visa at a college in California while I am in CA too? (With parents being in Pakistan?) If she wants to continue her education in US, will CO be suspectible because her sis is in US? Currently she is doing masters, and one year of her study is left.

Also about income, my father gets average income in his bank account from our lands' produce income from our village. So we have an average bank statement of say 12 lacs per month for may be only 1 year only. (Before last year, the income was not coming through bank but through cash only). He has no pension or business. So what I have in my mind is that I can send money to Pakistan for my mom's ticket and travel cost, which she can deposit in her bank and apply for Visa. I hope the CO's wont be asking her the source of funds now! (After all, she can have the funds from any source, e.g. brothers, sisters ,,no? ) So for mom at least we are good for now: Reason visit + tourism and funding is her own (through cash in her bank statements).

On the average, how much bank statement would be appropriate for her to show in her bank account she can afford travel expense on her own? (With my fathers income being very average in his bank account). Will my father's income level question my mom's heavy bank statement?

Edited July 1, 2014 by courageous girl

[Javeria1990 4]

Hello my sister lives in USA and my parents recently applied for visit visa to meet her and by the grace of Allah both got 5 years visa!!!! They were asked only 3 questions:

Why are u going? They said to meet their daughter and her kids

What do u do? He said government officer

How many children? He told 4 living with them

Then CO asked my mom what do u do? She said housewife

Thats it!!! He said ok u will get ur passports after 5 days

So its easy for the parents to get visit visa but not for the young ones!!!! Thats why my orher siblings did not apply with them!!!

[courageous girl 0]

Hello my sister lives in USA and my parents recently applied for visit visa to meet her and by the grace of Allah both got 5 years visa!!!! They were asked only 3 questions:

Why are u going? They said to meet their daughter and her kids

What do u do? He said government officer

How many children? He told 4 living with them

Then CO asked my mom what do u do? She said housewife

Thats it!!! He said ok u will get ur passports after 5 days

So its easy for the parents to get visit visa but not for the young ones!!!! Thats why my orher siblings did not apply with them!!!

Thanks Javeria!

But ur father is a government officer, so the CO knows government officers have to return.

My father is retired. So what proof shall he show? The tie at home country shall be my sister staying back. But she doe not want to stay alone. SO how can she accompany as well? The mere purpose is to visit US with family ofcourse for tourism. But how?

[Javeria1990 4]

In my opinion ur parents should apply together they dunt refuse the visa to parents of LPR or citizen!! I have seen many cases in my family where father is retired from his job and still get the visit visa!! But if ur sister apply with them, there might be the chance of rejection as it shows no ties to their homeland so its better for ur parents to apply alone not with their daughter

U can ask ur sister to apply student visa instead of visit!!! When i went to my interview i saw sooo many youngsters who came for visit visa but none of them got one

Islamabad embassy is quite strict abt giving visit visas to pakistani young girls and boys!!!! They doubt that they will not return here due to the current situation of pakistan!!!

[subz 6]

>>The idea of a family get together in US really fascinates me, so when my mom visits me in US and gets back to Pakistan, then next year can they all apply together?<<

Once they get visas, they travel together anytime... generally they issue 10 year visas with multiple entries.

>>I got your point about my sister. I shall make sure now she travels to Dubai and any other tourism place, before she applies for US visit visa, as she has not travelled before. Then her reason of applying would be: Tourism in US. But then can she mention she will be staying at her sister's place in US instead of a hotel? <<

Yeah thats fine.. ppl stay with relatives and friends but they need to have a plan in place.. which places they wanna visit, why, how long etc..

>>Also, can she apply for student visa at a college in California while I am in CA too? (With parents being in Pakistan?) If she wants to continue her education in US, will CO be suspectible because her sis is in US? Currently she is doing masters, and one year of her study is left. <<

Student visa is best for her.. you being in US is not a factor in her studies..

>>Also about income, my father gets average income in his bank account from our lands' produce income from our village. So we have an average bank statement of say 12 lacs per month for may be only 1 year only.<<

12 lakh per month is lot of money that means in a year about 1 crore.. that is sufficient income.. avg is about 200 USD per person per day at least for tourism..

>>(Before last year, the income was not coming through bank but through cash only).<<

They will need to carry last six month statement

>>So what I have in my mind is that I can send money to Pakistan for my mom's ticket and travel cost, which she can deposit in her bank and apply for Visa. <<

Depend on when you are sending if you do before applying for visa, it may look like she took loan from somewhere to meet the requirement.. which will lead to suspicion.. if you send now and she applies after 6 months, it will look like normal balance of the account..if she doesnt have money in account, make her joint holder of your father's account that has money.. statements show account holder names but do not say since when it became joint account

>>On the average, how much bank statement would be appropriate for her to show in her bank account she can afford travel expense on her own? (With my fathers income being very average in his bank account). Will my father's income level question my mom's heavy bank statement?<<

no she will be asked only her account or an account she is joint holder with.. father's account as lone holder will not impact her..

[courageous girl 0]

>>The idea of a family get together in US really fascinates me, so when my mom visits me in US and gets back to Pakistan, then next year can they all apply together?<<

Once they get visas, they travel together anytime... generally they issue 10 year visas with multiple entries.

>>I got your point about my sister. I shall make sure now she travels to Dubai and any other tourism place, before she applies for US visit visa, as she has not travelled before. Then her reason of applying would be: Tourism in US. But then can she mention she will be staying at her sister's place in US instead of a hotel? <<

Yeah thats fine.. ppl stay with relatives and friends but they need to have a plan in place.. which places they wanna visit, why, how long etc..

>>Also, can she apply for student visa at a college in California while I am in CA too? (With parents being in Pakistan?) If she wants to continue her education in US, will CO be suspectible because her sis is in US? Currently she is doing masters, and one year of her study is left. <<

Student visa is best for her.. you being in US is not a factor in her studies..

>>Also about income, my father gets average income in his bank account from our lands' produce income from our village. So we have an average bank statement of say 12 lacs per month for may be only 1 year only.<<

12 lakh per month is lot of money that means in a year about 1 crore.. that is sufficient income.. avg is about 200 USD per person per day at least for tourism..

>>(Before last year, the income was not coming through bank but through cash only).<<

They will need to carry last six month statement

>>So what I have in my mind is that I can send money to Pakistan for my mom's ticket and travel cost, which she can deposit in her bank and apply for Visa. <<

Depend on when you are sending if you do before applying for visa, it may look like she took loan from somewhere to meet the requirement.. which will lead to suspicion.. if you send now and she applies after 6 months, it will look like normal balance of the account..if she doesnt have money in account, make her joint holder of your father's account that has money.. statements show account holder names but do not say since when it became joint account

>>On the average, how much bank statement would be appropriate for her to show in her bank account she can afford travel expense on her own? (With my fathers income being very average in his bank account). Will my father's income level question my mom's heavy bank statement?<<

no she will be asked only her account or an account she is joint holder with.. father's account as lone holder will not impact her..

Sorry for a typo error. Its one lac per month and 12 lacs per year But anyways, I guess 6 month bank statement can be managed.

About sister's Student Visa, I have read at many places that if the student has bro/sis in US, CO become suspicious as the student has intention to immigrate. That is why I asked. Also, do you have any idea about getting admission in high school in US, if not undergraduate? Is high school admission allowed for international students like 8th grade? And is visa granted for it?

In nutshell, my mom shall apply for the visa alone with reason of tourism + visit. She gets 5 or 10 year multiple entry visa. Then she returns to Pakistan and my sister applies and mentions that my mother accompanies her for a visit visa (with my mom having a law-abiding record, and my sis being a university student).

Then they come back to Pakistan and then in 3rd round my father applies mentioning my mom accompanies him. And so all get multiple entry visas, but only turn by turn, and not all together.

Is this the correct summary? By the way it shall really take time, like at least 3-4 years

[Boiler 45,906]

Why are you interested in US High School education?

[subz 6]

>>Sorry for a typo error. Its one lac per month and 12 lacs per year But anyways, I guess 6 month bank statement can be managed. <<

thats ok.. even 1 lac per month is good income.. as long as they have savings..

>>About sister's Student Visa, I have read at many places that if the student has bro/sis in US, CO become suspicious as the student has intention to immigrate. <<

Student visas are granted if the applicant has secured admission in a college + she/he has requisite funds.. there is a separate quota in immigration for those who have done degrees in US.. US actually wants educated, promising students to contribute to economy..

>>Also, do you have any idea about getting admission in high school in US, if not undergraduate? Is high school admission allowed for international students like 8th grade? And is visa granted for it?<<

School students are not issued independent visas. Only school exchange visitors or dependents kids are issued visa. To be dependent their parents or spouse have to be US citizen.. Another problem is these kids can not be tax burden. They will need to pay either full education cost to a public school (about 5-7000 USD) or attend a private school (10-12000 USD). I would say it is not worth doing it before higher secondary school. Let the kid complete education in school. Prepare her for SAT and then she can easily get into a good college.

>>In nutshell, my mom shall apply for the visa alone with reason of tourism + visit. She gets 5 or 10 year multiple entry visa. Then she returns to Pakistan and my sister applies and mentions that my mother accompanies her for a visit visa (with my mom having a law-abiding record, and my sis being a university student). Then they come back to Pakistan and then in 3rd round my father applies mentioning my mom accompanies him. And so all get multiple entry visas, but only turn by turn, and not all together.<<

yes you are smart and can read between the lines quickly

>>Is this the correct summary? By the way it shall really take time, like at least 3-4 years <<

I guess it will take 2-3 years.. I can understand its fascinating feeling to have all loved ones around there and take them for vacation but good things take time and patience.. its better to be slow and be a winner rather than being fast and end up being a looser..

[courageous girl 0]

>>Sorry for a typo error. Its one lac per month and 12 lacs per year But anyways, I guess 6 month bank statement can be managed. <<

thats ok.. even 1 lac per month is good income.. as long as they have savings..

>>About sister's Student Visa, I have read at many places that if the student has bro/sis in US, CO become suspicious as the student has intention to immigrate. <<

Student visas are granted if the applicant has secured admission in a college + she/he has requisite funds.. there is a separate quota in immigration for those who have done degrees in US.. US actually wants educated, promising students to contribute to economy..

>>Also, do you have any idea about getting admission in high school in US, if not undergraduate? Is high school admission allowed for international students like 8th grade? And is visa granted for it?<<

School students are not issued independent visas. Only school exchange visitors or dependents kids are issued visa. To be dependent their parents or spouse have to be US citizen.. Another problem is these kids can not be tax burden. They will need to pay either full education cost to a public school (about 5-7000 USD) or attend a private school (10-12000 USD). I would say it is not worth doing it before higher secondary school. Let the kid complete education in school. Prepare her for SAT and then she can easily get into a good college.

>>In nutshell, my mom shall apply for the visa alone with reason of tourism + visit. She gets 5 or 10 year multiple entry visa. Then she returns to Pakistan and my sister applies and mentions that my mother accompanies her for a visit visa (with my mom having a law-abiding record, and my sis being a university student). Then they come back to Pakistan and then in 3rd round my father applies mentioning my mom accompanies him. And so all get multiple entry visas, but only turn by turn, and not all together.<<

yes you are smart and can read between the lines quickly

>>Is this the correct summary? By the way it shall really take time, like at least 3-4 years <<

I guess it will take 2-3 years.. I can understand its fascinating feeling to have all loved ones around there and take them for vacation but good things take time and patience.. its better to be slow and be a winner rather than being fast and end up being a looser..

Thanku so much my friend:) u r indeed a great help. May Allah Reward u for this I shall be asking further questions as we go through the application process:) thanks again