We want to have my wife's mom come visit

[RhettVoe 282]

Lawyers cannot make a positive difference in the outcome of a tourist visa interview, no matter what they say. Lawyers have no authority over any CO, they cannot order them to do anything, and few COs accept the word of any immigration attorney. She has to qualify on the strength of her own merits and situation....promises to pay airfares, hospital bills, movie tickets, etc, are just that....promises...none of which are enforceable.

[Ryan76 46]

So basically it sounds like most people advise against doing anything. No letter of invitation, nothing? Just have her mother apply and hope for the best?

We did find out that one of my wife's cousins is going to help her mother apply for the visa online.

So what other advice can anyone give? Ideas for "proving ties to her country" ? Her mom doesn't own a home...she has lived in an apartment owned by her sister for like 20 years. She lives her son and daughter (and pet dog). She has a huge family in Colombia, and loves her church (which she attends 4+ times per week), and she has literally zero interest in ever moving away from Colombia.....I'm just not sure how to "prove" it. She just wants to come to see her daughter's new life and meet my family.

Any advice for what to do aside from the basic steps (applying online & going to the interview w/ passport size photos)? Thanks

[Torete 121]

So basically it sounds like most people advise against doing anything. No letter of invitation, nothing? Just have her mother apply and hope for the best?

We did find out that one of my wife's cousins is going to help her mother apply for the visa online.

So what other advice can anyone give? Ideas for "proving ties to her country" ? Her mom doesn't own a home...she has lived in an apartment owned by her sister for like 20 years. She lives her son and daughter (and pet dog). She has a huge family in Colombia, and loves her church (which she attends 4+ times per week), and she has literally zero interest in ever moving away from Colombia.....I'm just not sure how to "prove" it. She just wants to come to see her daughter's new life and meet my family.

Any advice for what to do aside from the basic steps (applying online & going to the interview w/ passport size photos)? Thanks

OP,

I'm unable to speak for the US Embassy Bogota, but from the US Embassy Manila website:

http://manila.usembassy.gov/demonstrating-ties.html

I hope it gives you insight.

Regards

[Ning 619]

So basically it sounds like most people advise against doing anything. No letter of invitation, nothing? Just have her mother apply and hope for the best?

We did find out that one of my wife's cousins is going to help her mother apply for the visa online.

So what other advice can anyone give? Ideas for "proving ties to her country" ? Her mom doesn't own a home...she has lived in an apartment owned by her sister for like 20 years. She lives her son and daughter (and pet dog). She has a huge family in Colombia, and loves her church (which she attends 4+ times per week), and she has literally zero interest in ever moving away from Colombia.....I'm just not sure how to "prove" it. She just wants to come to see her daughter's new life and meet my family.

Any advice for what to do aside from the basic steps (applying online & going to the interview w/ passport size photos)? Thanks

The only thing that really matters is the ability to understand the need to prove she must return. I doubt anyone here knows her well enough to tell her how to describe her need to return.

Some things in her favor would be here age, living circumstances which may involve other people depending on her, unwillingness to leave her culture and family for too long. Her language ability. Her simple understandable desire to witness her daughters life and meet your side of the family.

Given this the problem becomes how to present this info to the embassy. These cases are often decided long before she enters the embassy which is exactly why so many are denied based on the info available. Your task as the adviser is to tell her how to get that info in front of the officer.

[Humeer 0]

The process is very easy, and i'll tell you what i did before. I filled all necessary forms, i scheduled an appointment for my mother at the embassy, my mom paid the visa fee and had her interview they ask her how long she is going to stay and where she is staying and they asked her if she works she said she is retired, and next day they gave her a 10 years visa.

I sent an affidavit of support and invite letter to my mother, but the officer didn't look at them at all.

so basically you are not involved at all your mom's wife need to proof that she will not stay when she visit.

The process is very easy, and i'll tell you what i did before. I filled all necessary forms, i scheduled an appointment for my mother at the embassy, my mom paid the visa fee and had her interview they ask her how long she is going to stay and where she is staying and they asked her if she works she said she is retired, and next day they gave her a 10 years visa.

I sent an affidavit of support and invite letter to my mother, but the officer didn't look at them at all.

so basically you are not involved at all your mom's wife need to proof that she will not stay when she visit.

[Humeer 0]

The process is very easy, and i'll tell you what i did before. I filled all necessary forms, i scheduled an appointment for my mother at the embassy, my mom paid the visa fee and had her interview they ask her how long she is going to stay and where she is staying and they asked her if she works she said she is retired, and next day they gave her a 10 years visa.

I sent an affidavit of support and invite letter to my mother, but the officer didn't look at them at all.

so basically you are not involved at all your mom's wife need to proof that she will not stay when she visit.

The process is very easy, and i'll tell you what i did before. I filled all necessary forms, i scheduled an appointment for my mother at the embassy, my mom paid the visa fee and had her interview they ask her how long she is going to stay and where she is staying and they asked her if she works she said she is retired, and next day they gave her a 10 years visa.

I sent an affidavit of support and invite letter to my mother, but the officer didn't look at them at all.

so basically you are not involved at all your mom's wife need to proof that she will not stay when she visit.

[Humeer 0]

I have a question nab.did you filled ds-160 for your mom? Actually I have filled online form for my Mom and submitted it so basically it is not electronically signed by her.i have a confirmation page.is this a big problem for her on interview day?

[MacUK 983]

I have a question nab.did you filled ds-160 for your mom? Actually I have filled online form for my Mom and submitted it so basically it is not electronically signed by her.i have a confirmation page.is this a big problem for her on interview day?

The applicant must be the person who physically clicks the 'Sign Application button'

Other people can assist you with your visa application. Note that under U.S. law (22 C.F.R. 41.103) you must electronically sign and submit your own application unless you qualify for an exemption. Even if someone else helped you complete the application, you (the applicant) must click the Sign Application button, or your application may not be accepted.

Edited September 20, 2014 by MacUK

[Ontarkie 14,225]

~~Spammer removed, along with those quoting.~~

[Ryan76 46]

Okay, so we're finally about ready for her mother to apply for the visa...and after studying the process and reading the comments I just want to get a final take on a couple of things before we move forward.

1)Is there any point at all to writing a letter for the interview, simply stating we want her mom to come for a visit and to meet the in-laws and then she'll be returning home after a couple weeks? My wife just thinks it would be beneficial to put something in writing so that the embassy interviewer knows that all parties involved are on the same page. Good, bad, or pointless?

2) We're also going back and forth on what her mom can do to "prove" she will return home to colombia after her visit. Her mom is retired so she has no job. She lives with her daughter and son. She's heavily involved with her church and 99% of her family is in colombia. She has a small bank account but nothing substantial. She currently (and for the past 15+ years) has lived in an apartment owned by her sister. So there is no lease or deed to the property or anything. So what can she do to state her case? Photos with family and church? A letter from her sister (technically who i guess her landlord) stating she has lived in the apartment for 15 years and is not moving? We're just not sure of anything in the way of proof....only her trying to assure the interviewer with words.

Thanks again everyone

[Boiler 45,520]

Write the letter to keep your wife happy.

You can not manufacture what is not there. Most unusual for anything else to be asked.

[Ning 619]

Okay, so we're finally about ready for her mother to apply for the visa...and after studying the process and reading the comments I just want to get a final take on a couple of things before we move forward.

1)Is there any point at all to writing a letter for the interview, simply stating we want her mom to come for a visit and to meet the in-laws and then she'll be returning home after a couple weeks? My wife just thinks it would be beneficial to put something in writing so that the embassy interviewer knows that all parties involved are on the same page. Good, bad, or pointless?

2) We're also going back and forth on what her mom can do to "prove" she will return home to colombia after her visit. Her mom is retired so she has no job. She lives with her daughter and son. She's heavily involved with her church and 99% of her family is in colombia. She has a small bank account but nothing substantial. She currently (and for the past 15+ years) has lived in an apartment owned by her sister. So there is no lease or deed to the property or anything. So what can she do to state her case? Photos with family and church? A letter from her sister (technically who i guess her landlord) stating she has lived in the apartment for 15 years and is not moving? We're just not sure of anything in the way of proof....only her trying to assure the interviewer with words.

Thanks again everyone

I agree with keeping your wife happy. Keep in mind the embassy could care less about who is on what page. Its always about returning not about leaving.

You are focusing on the wrong proof. There are churches on every corner filled with people being told to return next week for the rest of the message. Letters from a landlord? I know what you mean but that isn't proof of a return.

Something I have seen make a difference is simply her age. Of course I am guessing some here but older people have an easier time because they don't want to change cultures, friends, languages ect. These things have been presented in the past where a visa was granted.

As you help her, keep in mind these cases are mostly approved or denied before the person ever interviews. This means the " proof " must be submitted along with or as part of the application. Instead of writing invitation letters maybe a good idea to help with what I suggested.