Interview for seniors

[MacUK 983]

What prevents your wife from applying for Citizenship and then sponsoring her Mom (according to your timeline, she should qualify to do that by now)? It'll take LESS than one year for her to come here living for as long as she cares (and she can still come back to Vietnam anytime she wants as long as she cares to remember coming back to the State once in a while to maintain her legal LPR status)

Maybe the OPs mother in law doesn't want to be an LPR, maybe she wants one short little visit to see how her child is living and then never set foot in the States again.

Not everyone in the world wants a greencard.

BTW, as long as your wife remains a LPR, she will be the BIGGEST obstacle to prevent her mom to come here on a Tourist Visa since the US CO knows she (your wife) can NOT legally petition her Mom to come. On the other hand, if she becomes a USC, the US CO knows there's an alternative to a Tourist Visa.

In short, tell your wife to learn English and pass that USC Naturalization test!

Actually, being a citizen would probably be more of an obstacle than being an LPR.

As a citizen she would be able to adjust her mothers status as soon as she gets out of the airport. As an LPR she would not.

[MacUK 983]

I strongly disagree with that statement. For K1/CR1 cases, decisions have been made PRIOR to the interview. But for Tourist Visa cases, the decision will be made by the interviewing officer AFTER the first question is answered.

And most of the times, that question will be "What is the reason for the visit?". And it better be a good one since everyone knows the people from the US can fly back to visit the other country.

Mom/Dad needs to visit the US because they miss their daughter/son probably won't fly in the CO's book!

The COs don't care what someones reason to want to visit the US is, all they care about are reasons why the applicant would go home at the end of their trip.

[GoatDreamingPig 0]

The COs don't care what someones reason to want to visit the US is, all they care about are reasons why the applicant would go home at the end of their trip.

Are you even "familiar" with the specific US Consulate office in Saigon (Vietnam)?

Are you familiar with the "frequency" VNese overstay and/or stay behind permanently once arriving in the US via Tourist visas?

[GoatDreamingPig 0]

People from the US can fly back to visit the other country is not the same as people from other countries visiting their relatives IN the U.S.

If your mom coming to the U.S. to visit your newborn child is a perfectly good reason, coming to visit their sons or daughters is not?

Don't ask me. Ask the interviewing officer that question. I'm sure with your attitude (it's my rights this and that), your in-law's interview gonna be a great one!

Remember one thing, you're the ONE coming in there BEGGING (not asking/demanding) for a visa. And the law allows the interviewing officer the sole discretion to make the decision based on his/her instinct! (for Tourist Visas only)

He or she doesn't have to prove squat!

Good luck reasoning why life is or is not fair.

Maybe the OPs mother in law doesn't want to be an LPR, maybe she wants one short little visit to see how her child is living and then never set foot in the States again.

Not everyone in the world wants a greencard.

Actually, being a citizen would probably be more of an obstacle than being an LPR.

As a citizen she would be able to adjust her mothers status as soon as she gets out of the airport. As an LPR she would not.

That statement alone explains how "little" you understand about the Saigon US Consulate!

Edited August 14, 2014 by GoatDreamingPig

[GoatDreamingPig 0]

I have one more thing to add:

I once knew one relative who was around 80 at the time she first applied for a Tourist Visa. Her reason for the Visa was that she could come to attend her first granddaughter's wedding. Got denied! (the C/O prob knows most people will have more than one wedding in a lifetime)

A few months later (I don't remember the exact, prob 5-6 months later), she applied again. This time the reason was she needed to attend her younger brother's funeral.

Approved on the spot. (the C/O knows everyone has only ONE funeral)

The story doesn't tell any conclusive decision for anyone. Just something to consider as a good "excuse/reason" when applying for a Tourist visa, esp for older folks.

PS> I again stress my comments in this tread pertain only to the US Consulate in Saigon. I have no knowledge of any other Consulates elsewhere in the world!

Edited August 14, 2014 by GoatDreamingPig