What are the steps for bringing my mother-in-law from the Philippines (Tourist Visa)?

[Nekz2015 1]

Hello Everyone!

Been trying to search online but couldn't find the information that I need. I'd like my mother-in-law from the Philippines to come visit and was told that it's best to send her an "invitation letter". Has anyone gone through this process?

1.) After sending her the invitation letter, is there anything I can do to initiate the process from the US and set up an appointment for her at the embassy/consulate in the Philippines?

2.) What documents/forms does she need?

3.) How long does this process take?

4.) Once approved for her tourist visa to come visit, what is her maximum stay in the US?

Your responses will be very helpful, Thank You!

[aleful 1,905]

hi

no invitation letter or nothing needed on your part. she has to apply on her own and show strong ties to her country

she has to convince the officer that she has reasons to return and not have immigrant intent, because if she entered on a tourist visa, your husband could file a petition for her and she could adjust status in the US

everything she has to prove strong ties to her country. if give the visa, the maximum amount per stay is 6 months

[Nekz2015 1]

Thanks for the quick response Aleful! Do you happen to know what documents she would need to file/bring?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Thanks for the quick response Aleful! Do you happen to know what documents she would need to file/bring?

You can find the information you need from this website:

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-typeb1b2.asp

[Nekz2015 1]

Thanks Merrytooth! Seems like she will have to do everything on her end in the Philippines.

Cheers guys and thanks for the replies!

[MsCompE 50]

Hello Everyone!

Been trying to search online but couldn't find the information that I need. I'd like my mother-in-law from the Philippines to come visit and was told that it's best to send her an "invitation letter". Has anyone gone through this process?

1.) After sending her the invitation letter, is there anything I can do to initiate the process from the US and set up an appointment for her at the embassy/consulate in the Philippines?

2.) What documents/forms does she need?

3.) How long does this process take?

4.) Once approved for her tourist visa to come visit, what is her maximum stay in the US?

Your responses will be very helpful, Thank You!

1. You dont need to initiate the process from U.S. But you can send her an optional invitation letter/guarantee letter addressed to the CO stating that you are officially inviting her and that you vouch she wont try to break immigration laws.

Again, this is not required but normally does help someone getting a tourist visa.

2. Fill up DS-160 form, interview appointment, proofs of ties to country

(home/car ownership documents, proof of ownership of other assets, marriage contract, proof that spouse is alive and is coming back for him if applicable, pictures of family in PH, bank account, birth certificate of children/immediate family living in PH, basically just anything that she can justify that she isnt over stayng)

3. Set an interview appointment. Soonest you are done with the interview you are good. Passport is delivered maximum of 2 weeks after

4. Maximum of 6months but can be extended up to 1year.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Invitation letters can do more harm than good, and since they rarely seem to do any good whatsoever... you're better off not using one.

[MsCompE 50]

Invitation letters can do more harm than good, and since they rarely seem to do any good whatsoever... you're better off not using one.

Was advised to get one during my tourist visa application by the agency here in PH especially if the applicant is not paying for the trip/invitee is being hosted by someone.

Unless otherwise the applicant can prove that she solely can afford the trip.

More likely under "Evidence of funds to cover your expenses while in the United States" as per Qualifications in link below

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-typeb1b2.asp

Edited September 8, 2016 by MsCompE

[Hypnos 6,576]

The thing is, if you indicate that someone else is financing the trip, they may take that to be you being dependent on someone else, and possibly overstaying your period of authorised presence as a result of that.

The advice given on this site is to generally eschew such letters unless the embassy specifically asks for one.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Was advised to get one during my tourist visa application by the agency here in PH especially if the applicant is not paying for the trip/invitee is being hosted by someone.

Unless otherwise the applicant can prove that she solely can afford the trip.

More likely under "Evidence of funds to cover your expenses while in the United States" as per Qualifications in link below

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-typeb1b2.asp

This is a BIG misconception in the Philippines that you need a invitation letter in order to be approved for a B2 visa. It is quite frankly a lie and you do not need it and in alot of cases it has actually hurt the person filing for the B2.

[KierenHby 899]

4. Maximum of 6months but can be extended up to 1year.

Those coming for short visits shouldn't count on an extension.. B2s are for short, temporary visits. Extensions should be reserved for unavoidable medical emergencies, etc.

[glazierguy 20]

Chances of getting a tourist visa are next to zero, in most poor countrys. Its a scam!!! they take your application money then tell you NO!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Chances of getting a tourist visa are next to zero, in most poor countrys. Its a scam!!! they take your application money then tell you NO!

I have to agree with you. I think if the mother doesn't have a business, own land, has a house, drives a car and has a husband and family to return to then the OP is wasting his money. The Philippines is very difficult to get a B2 from.

[Nekz2015 1]

Thanks for the response everyone, very helpful indeed!

[hopeful 4 XMas 19]

I have to dis agree with those saying getting a tourist visa chances are next to zero. My MIL got one first try,

her interview was just do you own land? Yes

How much do you make and where do you get that income from?

How much do think it will cost for your entire stay in America?

How many children do you have in PH? and How many in USA?

Here is what may have helped, my wife was an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) for many years and in two different countries, she always did everything the legal way. Her sisters were as well for short periods of time. My wifes brother in-laws work overseas and one is a seaman. they all always did things the legal way. you may ask why I say this, well with the computer age, anyone who thinks that they do not know have access to all of this information and do not know these things is kidding themselves.

Also I put myself as the contact person and am ex-military and they can see that as well.

from what we can see it is all about risks, who is a big risk and who is a low risk? Is there a family history of travel abroad? If so did anyone ever over stay or have problems abroad.

that is my analysis