Getting Sister in Law over on a B2 visa (Philippines)

[SensibleInvestor 10]

I'm a US citizen and my wife, who is not yet a citizen but a permanent resident, would like her sister back in the Philippines to come and visit us here in the US. She thinks it would be better for me to send the invitation letter since I am the citizen. Is this a good idea? 

Also, when I send the letter would it be a good idea for me to show a W2 or some other document to prove income? 

 

We're planning to send copies of the passport for my wife and our son, and the birth certificate for our 2 month old daughter. 

My sister in law has a 13 year old child, a car, has traveled outside the country before but never to the USA, but her income comes from freelance work and not from a regular employer. How are the odds for us getting her over here for a visit? 

Edited June 5, 2017 by SensibleInvestor

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Very low odds IMO.  You cannot help her get a tourist visa, she applies on her own merit.  Children, unverified work etc are not strong ties.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

An invitation letter, while you can provide really doesn't hold any weight. Some will say it can even hurt your chances... I did one for my now husband couple years back and it didn't help or hurt honestly (was new to the visa things then).

 

Your sister in law needs to be able to prove she will return. Not having a steady job does not help, nor not funding her own trip (sounds like you wil be)

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

If she's single and young (under 40), the chances are slim to none.

 

Things working against her:

1. Single woman

2. Family in the US

3. No steady employment (no ties)

 

[Boiler 45,942]

She is needed to help look after your children?

[Jojo92122 1,924]

The US Embassy does not consider invitation letters for visitor visas.  Your finances are not considered.  Your wife and son's passports are not considered.  Your daughter's birth certificate is not considered.  There is no document that you can send that will be considered.  Your SIL applies on her own.  The interview will be about her demonstrating strong ties to overcome the legal presumption that all applicants intend to immigrate.  Anything from you and your family is about the US.  It's not about her having to return.  Focus on the reasons why she has to return home rather than the reasons for visiting.

 

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

To note, her previous travels to other countries can be used as good show of character though. 

[SensibleInvestor 10]

She makes good money by Philippines standards giving speeches and training people, it's just she does this all on her own and isn't tied down to any employer. She has contracts that are set out into the future. Her son will stay behind in the Philippines and will be watched by her sister and mom. Wouldn't having a school-aged son show strong ties? 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, SensibleInvestor said:

She makes good money by Philippines standards giving speeches and training people, it's just she does this all on her own and isn't tied down to any employer. She has contracts that are set out into the future. Her son will stay behind in the Philippines and will be watched by her sister and mom. Wouldn't having a school-aged son show strong ties? 

Absolutely not.  Children are routinely left behind

[Crazy Cat 42,062]

24 minutes ago, SensibleInvestor said:

I'm a US citizen and my wife, who is not yet a citizen but a permanent resident, would like her sister back in the Philippines to come and visit us here in the US. She thinks it would be better for me to send the invitation letter since I am the citizen. Is this a good idea? 

Also, when I send the letter would it be a good idea for me to show a W2 or some other document to prove income? 

 

We're planning to send copies of the passport for my wife and our son, and the birth certificate for our 2 month old daughter. 

My sister in law has a 13 year old child, a car, has traveled outside the country before but never to the USA, but her income comes from freelance work and not from a regular employer. How are the odds for us getting her over here for a visit? 

I know you mean well, but I think the things you want to do might end up hurting her case.  You seem, to me, to be showing strong family ties to the US, YOUR financial ability to support her, while also showing she has no real steady employment ties. Those things will hurt her chances of getting a tourist visa, imo.

 

I am certainly no expert, but .......

Best of luck to you and your family.

 

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by missileman

[SensibleInvestor 10]

19 minutes ago, Boiler said:

She is needed to help look after your children?

No. We want her to visit us here. Wife and I are home with the kids pretty much 24/7 (I work from home). 

[Jojo92122 1,924]

5 minutes ago, SensibleInvestor said:

She makes good money by Philippines standards giving speeches and training people, it's just she does this all on her own and isn't tied down to any employer. She has contracts that are set out into the future. Her son will stay behind in the Philippines and will be watched by her sister and mom. Wouldn't having a school-aged son show strong ties? 

Not necessarily.  Having school-aged children is not determinative by itself.  Many people with visitor visas have overstayed and left children behind.

 

If you search, you will find a poster who is adjusting status, refuses to answer how she entered the US, and she wants to know how to get visitor visas for her children.  Most likely, she entered on a visitor visa and now wants her kids to commit visa fraud to join her.  Having school-aged children didn't stop her from staying in the US and leaving her children behind.

[Boiler 45,942]

Seems very common for those immigrating to leave Children behind, never mind visiting. Obviously she has a support network to look after the child.

[sarahandyunus 133]

I would think that the freelance work would be somewhat problematic, since often freelance work can be done from anywhere in the world (aka she doesn't have an office she has to show up to every morning at 9 am.....)

[WeddingWonderLina 0]

Wow, these responses are hard to read as I am in a similar situation and want my cousin to visit me for my wedding. It is sad that this is how the system has been affected now leaving families without a chance of seeing each other.