Mother in Law/Tourist Visa

[Nagua 0]

My wife and I are applying for her citizenship within next month. Her mother already has a appointment at the consulate in June to be interviewed for a tourist visa. She has NO job no money in bank. She does own property. What can we do to help her with this visa. She only wants to visit for 3-4 weeks. Can we send her an invitation? 

[Georgia16 2,858]

There is nothing you can do she has to apply on her own.

 

But that said no job and no money and a daughter there is (will be very soon) a citizen).

[JE57 239]

In short the more you try to 'help' the more you lessen her Chances... She needs to qualify on her own and that means she has to demonstrate that she has a strong reason to return back to her country after the 3-4 week visit.  Ownership of property is helpful but since property can be sold it may not be enough.  Travel history would help if she has it.  Savings in a bank account might help.   But most will tell you that her chances are not good.  But if you you are willing to spend the $160 application fee there is no penalty for trying and a denial is not a 'negative' mark on her immigration 'record' so long as she tells the truth on the interview and does not misrepresent.

[Nagua 0]

I thought that if we sent an invitation letter to the consulate showing we will pay all of her expenses that that would be ok. 

[Unlockable 7,315]

5 minutes ago, Nagua said:

I thought that if we sent an invitation letter to the consulate showing we will pay all of her expenses that that would be ok. 

No no no no no.

 

This is a huge misconception of foreigners that can cause more problems than help.

 

Reason being is because too many people in the past abused visitor visas with the help of American relatives and wound up staying in the US. That is why it is best that the applicant show ties to her own country as in reasons to return. If you are footing the bill for everything it will only show she is a high risk. Especially with a daughter that is about to become a US citizen.

 

Best to keep your fingerprints off of your MIL's case. 

[Boiler 45,956]

I agree that the primary should be using your own assets, if you have none then you have a big problem and no other option than to use whoever will be paying.

[Sunnyland 639]

They don't care for invitation letters, they don't even read it. Like others said, your mother in law has to apply on her own. You can not sponsor someone for a tourist visa.

I had the same issue a few years ago to get my mother a visa to come to visit me. Thanks to the advice I got here I decided not to send any letter or anything and just wait for the best. She was asked all kind of questions, and she answered all with the truth because let's be honest they know ALL about you and her. No point in lying. I thought she would get denied because her only child was living here but for my surprise she was approved with a 10 year tourist visa. She came to visit us for 3 weeks around Xmas. My mother did not have tons of money either but her life is there in Argentina. They asked her who will pay for the expenses and she said she will pay with her retirement income.  

[Nagua 0]

Ok. Thank you guys. We will leave it alone. If she cannot visit us we will just keep visiting