B2 Visa for Sister in Law- what are the chances?

[Shotspottery 0]

Hey VJers-

 

I, (pregnant USC), and my husband (Burundian citizen/US LPR), are hoping that his two sisters can come to visit us in the United States for a couple of months once baby comes to spend time with them and for their help getting adjusted to parenthood.  They are both Burundian citizens- stay at home moms with husbands and children.  We want them to stay with us and will happily feed them (ie we want to take on their costs to come and stay here).  Each would come at separate times and stay for at most, a few months.  They would have their families to return to as proof of binding ties that they would leave the United States.

 

Previously, several of his friends and family (although not his sisters) had attempted to get visas to come to the US for our wedding, although unfortunately none of them succeeded.  Is this a difficulty with Burundi?  Are there certain steps we should take that could better our/their chances to come over?  What are the odds that they might get visas?  Any and all thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

[Boiler 45,525]

Well it is not a chance based process, so very much depends on the totality of their circumstances, seems odd that they wish to visit but you will pick up all the costs? Is there any reason they are not paying their own way?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

39 minutes ago, Shotspottery said:

Is this a difficulty with Burundi?

Yes. The country has a whopping 73% refusal rate for B visas. They will need to provide very convincing evidence of their ties to Burundi and reasons to return home to be successful. 

[Going through 5,671]

34 minutes ago, Shotspottery said:

They would have their families to return to as proof of binding ties that they would leave the United States.

People leave their spouses and/or children behind all the time---CO doesn't really see it as strong a tie as you may think, at least not on it's own.

 

Paying their way for "a few months" each can hurt more than help---CO can presume you'd be willing to continue to financially support them should they overstay.

 

Any other ties at all?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Also, they may ask how your husband came to the US, they sometimes do in cases like this. Did he come over on a fiancé/spouse visa, or did he come on a non immigrant visa and end up staying?

[Downloader 199]

It may sound harsh but....Family members + New Born Baby makes for a bad recipe at the time of applying for a tourist visa. 

Usually that means “Free Babysitting” to the CO which is a no no as that’s a job taken away from a US Citizen or LPR + not authorized work on a tourist visa. 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Downloader

[Shotspottery 0]

On 12/22/2019 at 6:50 PM, Boiler said:

Well it is not a chance based process, so very much depends on the totality of their circumstances, seems odd that they wish to visit but you will pick up all the costs? Is there any reason they are not paying their own way?

Burundi, as a whole, is not well off financially, and although both of their husbands work and are more than capable of providing for their families, the amount of time it would take for them to save for a plane ticket alone would be best measured in years.

 

On 12/22/2019 at 7:26 PM, Going through said:

People leave their spouses and/or children behind all the time---CO doesn't really see it as strong a tie as you may think, at least not on it's own.

 

Paying their way for "a few months" each can hurt more than help---CO can presume you'd be willing to continue to financially support them should they overstay.

 

Any other ties at all?

 

Any other suggestions on ties? IE they are both active members in their faith communities or have strong social network in their neighborhoods? Neither of his sisters want to stay here long term, and we know that they need to be with their families in the long run.

 

On 12/22/2019 at 7:58 PM, Downloader said:

It may sound harsh but....Family members + New Born Baby makes for a bad recipe at the time of applying for a tourist visa. 

Usually that means “Free Babysitting” to the CO which is a no no as that’s a job taken away from a US Citizen or LPR + not authorized work on a tourist visa. 

Is it best just to not mention the pregnancy at all?

[Shotspottery 0]

On 12/22/2019 at 7:25 PM, SusieQQQ said:

Yes. The country has a whopping 73% refusal rate for B visas. They will need to provide very convincing evidence of their ties to Burundi and reasons to return home to be successful. 

Do you have any examples of convincing evidence to return? I guess I figured, "I'm leaving my husband and multiple children here" would be sufficient.

 

Additionally, we live on a Native American reservation, so, the opportunities for employment as non-natives and non-English speakers are pretty much zero for them here.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

47 minutes ago, Shotspottery said:

Do you have any examples of convincing evidence to return? I guess I figured, "I'm leaving my husband and multiple children here" would be sufficient.

 

Additionally, we live on a Native American reservation, so, the opportunities for employment as non-natives and non-English speakers are pretty much zero for them here.

You’d think, but unfortunately more people than you’d believe have left spouses and children behind - sometimes with the expectation that they’ll somehow join them later, and sometimes without a backward glance.

 

They don’t speak English even though it is an official language of Burundi?

[SalishSea 17,836]

You want them to come for months at a time, but how can they leave their families for that long?  Maybe try for a more normal length of stay.

[Going through 5,671]

8 hours ago, Shotspottery said:

Any other suggestions on ties? IE they are both active members in their faith communities or have strong social network in their neighborhoods? Neither of his sisters want to stay here long term, and we know that they need to be with their families in the long run.

For a first trip, would not suggest "months"...maybe something more realistic like 2-3 weeks since they need to be with their families.  

[Unlockable 7,314]

9 hours ago, Shotspottery said:

Burundi, as a whole, is not well off financially, and although both of their husbands work and are more than capable of providing for their families, the amount of time it would take for them to save for a plane ticket alone would be best measured in years.

 

 

Any other suggestions on ties? IE they are both active members in their faith communities or have strong social network in their neighborhoods? Neither of his sisters want to stay here long term, and we know that they need to be with their families in the long run.

 

Is it best just to not mention the pregnancy at all?

Everything i highlighted in bold in bold is the reason why a lot of people from impoverish situation don’t obtain visitor visas. Think of it this way... how can they prove that they will not use the opportunities in America to help their situation. Even if they make minimum wage here, it would be enough to drastically help their family back home. That is why a lot of people from impoverished countries travel to other countries to work and send money back home. In this situation, your sister in law has a connection in the US (you) who can provide them with room and board which makes them an even higher risk.

 

 

9 hours ago, Shotspottery said:

Do you have any examples of convincing evidence to return? I guess I figured, "I'm leaving my husband and multiple children here" would be sufficient.

No it is not. In fact, most people in economically stressed situations leave family to other countries for work and send money back. It is the most common method of providing for family for most immigrants.

[Downloader 199]

19 hours ago, Shotspottery said:

Is it best just to not mention the pregnancy at all?

they have to be truthful and honest, having said that volunteering information is not a good idea, even worst of it is not going to help the case. Point is “Visiting my family (sister, brother etc...)” is a valid a common reason.

When you say “Visiting my sister/brother that is having a baby” is when the bell goes off in their head and the free nanny service comes to play against the applicant. If they ask about it then they have to answer with the truth. 

 

Good Luck 

Edited December 26, 2019 by Downloader