B1/B2 VISA FOR PARENTS OF A US CITIZEN

[Rocio0010 5,579]

3 minutes ago, CharleneB said:

I mentioned my status because when you are inviting  your " parents /kids"  on B1/B2 not even siblings ( which is another case on it's own), it's totally different from someone whose intent is for tourism.

Again, you cannot "invite" someone on a B1/B2 visa. No, no, no. Huge no. And if you do, it's going to back fire you because you would be a strong tie to the US, and like it or not, the CO has every right to assume they'll overstay.

 

7 minutes ago, CharleneB said:

For instance, some countries/cities have B1 visa application separate from B2  but  in my city , it's combined

Does the application have a list of required documents that mentions a letter of invitation?

 

8 minutes ago, CharleneB said:

And  some types of visa holder ( F1, H1B)  also have the right to invite their parents/kids  just like GC holder or USC but what would be asked to present varies

Parents of an F1 can come and visit. I was an F1, mom came for graduation and I did not do a single thing for her application. Just because you have the right, does not mean that an invitation would make a difference.

 

9 minutes ago, CharleneB said:

Thanks for your input and  like I said I got the exact tips I needed from the Nigerian forum.

Good for you! Good luck!

[jan22 3,056]

 

 

 

16 minutes ago, CharleneB said:

I mentioned my status because when you are inviting  your " parents /kids"  on B1/B2 not even siblings ( which is another case on it's own), it's totally different from someone whose intent is for tourism. For instance, some countries/cities have B1 visa application separate from B2  but  in my city , it's combined .And  some types of visa holder ( F1, H1B)  also have the right to invite their parents/kids  just like GC holder or USC but what would be asked to present varies. And what the CO base their decisions on is country-to-country basis. Thanks for your input and  like I said I got the exact tips I needed from the Nigerian forum.

I have no intention of fanning the flames here, but want to address several misperceptions in this statement, mainly for the benefit of other VJ members who may be confused by your assertions.

 

There is no difference between anyone's parents/kids/siblings in the process for B1/B2 visa applications, The laws and regulations are the same for all -- and none require action by you, the US citizen.

 

B1 and B2 visas can be separated in any country, not just yours (with the few exceptions where there might be a fee for a tourist visa and none for a visitor for business visa) -- and there is no difference between requirements based on a city within a country.

 

Everyone in the US has the "right" to invite their parents/kids (i.e., there is no law that says you cannot issue a personal invitation to your family member).  There is, however, no "right" to special consideration of a non-immigrant visa application if a US citizen, green card holder, or anyone else.

 

And, finally, what Consular Officers base their decisions on does not vary from one country to another -- they base their decisions on US law, which requires them to consider all non-immigrant visa applications as having immigrant intent until the applicant demonstrate differently.  

Edited December 16, 2021 by jan22

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 minutes ago, jan22 said:

and none require action by you, the US citizen

Can't stress this enough. If anything, any action taken by the US citizen can hurt their chances.

 

2 minutes ago, jan22 said:

and there is no difference between requirements based on a city within a country.

Yep. B1 B2s are regulated by the American government, not foreign cities.

 

3 minutes ago, jan22 said:

they base their decisions on US law, which requires them to consider all non-immigrant visa applications as having immigrant intent until the appk I can't can demonstrate differently.  

Amen!

[millefleur 5,046]

1 minute ago, jan22 said:

Everyone in the US has the "right" to invite their parents/kids (i.e., there is no law that says you cannot issue a personal invitation to your family member.  There is, however, no "right" to special consideration of a non-immigrant visa application if a US citizen or anyone else.

Furthermore there's no requirement or formal process of "inviting" friends and family on a B visa. You can submit a "letter of purpose" with planned itinerary but it's not required and often not even looked at by CO's during the interview. There's nothing wrong with having family or friends provide such a letter, it's just not required.

 

If someone provided such a letter and said they would "support" their friend or family then, yeah, it could come across as immigrant intent or suspicious. So, if people are planning to include letters, better make sure it's very clear that it's for a short trip with basic info about plans and the applicants intent to return after.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 minutes ago, millefleur said:

So, if people are planning to include letters, better make sure it's very clear that it's for a short trip with basic info about plans and the applicants intent to return after.

Or do not include letters at all to be on the safer side. When my mom came, I did not "help" her application, and she was in and out of the embassy in five minutes.

[millefleur 5,046]

8 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

Or do not include letters at all to be on the safer side. When my mom came, I did not "help" her application, and she was in and out of the embassy in five minutes.

Even if you "include" (aka bring it to the interview) a letter, 90% chance they won't even look at it. However, I do know people who brought letters, it did get looked at by the CO and ended up getting approved. Depends on the purpose of the trip, if you have a super specific reason for travel, sometimes they want to see supporting docs like a letter.

Edited December 16, 2021 by millefleur

[HandmadeTurnip 150]

I don't see any other posts made by the OP on VisaJourney about this topic. I wonder what "Nigerian forum" they're referring to when they say they've already received the answers they need.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, HandmadeTurnip said:

I don't see any other posts made by the OP on VisaJourney about this topic. I wonder what "Nigerian forum" they're referring to when they say they've already received the answers they need.

Same here. I tried looking for a post but failed to find it.

[Boiler 45,516]

Pretty much everywhere they are normally issues combined, I assume in the case they are looking at tourism rather than business 

 

i still think there may be some confusion you can invite anybody to visit you but that has no connection with any visa

[SalishSea 17,829]

5 hours ago, CharleneB said:

While appreciate the input of everyone,  @Dashinka and @Jorgedig  you are very wrong for your myopic and abrupt impression about my intent, if I had mentioned that I wanted them to live here, then your quick conclusions would have been appropriate .

I am well aware that I have the right to bring my parents down here if I so please but it's not in my immediate plans or theirs and I do know how to do that without them leaving Nigeria. I just threw the question here because I have been out of touch when it comes to new developments in  visa applications and they could only visit at a particular time because of their own schedules.

Thanks everyone.

“Myopic”?  I don’t think so.  
 

You mentioned things such as “invitation letter, cover letter, evidence of your US citizenship.”   You further are somehow under the mistaken impression that “it is somehow different for USCs vs LPRs.”

 

None of that has anything to do with a B visa application made by your relatives.   If you had done a little reading on the embassy site, you would have found the actual requirements.   Your relatives’ application for visitor visas will be judged solely on their ties to Nigeria.  In fact, having a USC child now will not be a helpful thing.

 

The nature of the things you you mention in your OP give the impression that you plan to have them stay and adjust status, whether that’s true, or not.

[SalishSea 17,829]

2 hours ago, CharleneB said:

I mentioned my status because when you are inviting  your " parents /kids"  on B1/B2 not even siblings ( which is another case on it's own), it's totally different from someone whose intent is for tourism. For instance, some countries/cities have B1 visa application separate from B2  but  in my city , it's combined .And  some types of visa holder ( F1, H1B)  also have the right to invite their parents/kids  just like GC holder or USC but what would be asked to present varies. And what the CO base their decisions on is country-to-country basis. Thanks for your input and  like I said I got the exact tips I needed from the Nigerian forum.

Incorrect.   US consular officers at all consulates worldwide are required to adjudicate all tourist visa applications in the context of immigrant intent.   Scrutiny is much higher for those who have a potential route to adjusting status (ie, parents of USCs).

 

There is no “invitation.”  Nigeria is perhaps the most high-fraud country when it comes to US visas, so that may be the city/country difference you’ve heard about.

[dwheels76 5,468]

6 hours ago, CharleneB said:

Thanks @millefleur ,yes the wait time is long because of heavy backlogs. I got all I needed from another member who did that recently for his Nigerian parents, which is country-specific. Thanks guys.

Unfortunately Visitor Visa interviews are more than 3 years in the future for available dates. I made one for my brother in law in August and his interview is November of 2023.

 

Right now this is what Lagos is showing for Regular  Visitor Visa====>824 Calendar Days
Visitor Visas currently are only for Emergencies only for Abuja.

 

As far as applying you should still be able to use your same account just adding another person. Usually for older people ties are not that big a deal.

Documents for her to take to interview show how she will pay for her time with bank statements. Not really much to bring. We aren't like Nigeria where there is a requirement of invitation letter. But still write up one stating her grandchild was born such and such and she wants to meet after all this time since the child will be a toddler by then.

[dwheels76 5,468]

4 hours ago, ra0010 said:

Not being mean, but they got that impression based on your own post. You were the one that mentioned your own status and a letter of invitation. None of those are relevant for a tourist visa application and if anything, it could hurt more than help because the CO is required to assume intent to immigrate with all applications. The burden is on the applicant to prove that they are not planning on overstaying their visas. And how do applicants do that? By proving strong ties to their home countries, such as (but not limited to)

- Deeds of property located in the home country,

- Employment contracts/ employment verification letters.

- Utilities on their names, etc.

 

Just for clarity many people from West Africa especially Nigeria do this because these are the things we must do to get a Visa there. It has helped many parents especially to get invitation to birth or naming ceremony which is a very big deal. It just helps the situation to explain.
It sure doesn't hurt the situation.

[millefleur 5,046]

13 minutes ago, dwheels76 said:

Just for clarity many people from West Africa especially Nigeria do this because these are the things we must do to get a Visa there.

Same in Russia. There's even a formal invitation you can get for private or tourist visas (it's is actually required.) People often just assume what is true in their country is true is also true of getting a US visa. I understand the logic as to why people make this assumption but reality is the US just does things differently.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

25 minutes ago, dwheels76 said:

sure doesn't hurt the situation.

I wouldn’t be so sure about it. It actually shows strong ties to the US.