B2 visa for minor

[Sarah&Facundo 595]

Hi everyone! Longtime poster here whose husband came to the US with a K1 a while back. This question is about our 14 year old niece. It's common for girls in Latin America to take a trip to the US around their 15th birthday for their quinceñera. We are looking into one of those quinceñera programs where they go on a group to Disneyworld or perhaps having her visit us for a week during her summer vacation since we live near NYC. I'm totally aware that any applicant needs to prove they have a reason to return, etc. and that no one can guarantee she would get a visa.

BUT her parents do not hold US visas and don't plan on traveling with her. Is a 14 year old (who could be 15 by the time of her interview since it could be next year with the backlog) allowed to get a B2 visa if her parents do not have one? Her parents are willing to pay for it and accompany her to the interview. My husband or I would likely be flying with our niece and we would probably end up paying for part of it as her gift. She would not overstay, as she has to return to high school and she can't adjust through us anyway, but I totally understand each applicant has the burden to prove that. But we are just wondering if it is worth her applying at all if her parents wouldn't be getting a visa and would not be traveling with her. I'd love any input! Thank you.

[Timona 4,207]

This is weird. 

But go ahead and try. 

[Dashinka 24,479]

Here is a relevant thread.  The parents will have to apply since she is a minor.  Not sure of the interview requirements for a minor in Argentina.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[Boiler 45,445]

Standard B application, Parents will need to sort it out.

[Sarah&Facundo 595]

On 12/23/2022 at 5:42 PM, Timona said:

This is weird. 

But go ahead and try. 

It's not. Going on a quincenera trip is extremely common in Latin America and kind of a "right of passage" similar to an American sweet 16. A lot of girls choose this trip over a big party. Any embassy is going to know about this and we know many people who have done it. However, the parents of these 15 year olds we know already had US visas even if the parents were not going on the trip themselves.

 

We just aren't sure if they are allowed to issue B2 visas to a minor if the parent doesn't already have one. If there is a law prohibiting that, we won't bother having her apply. That's my question.

[jan22 3,049]

13 hours ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

It's not. Going on a quincenera trip is extremely common in Latin America and kind of a "right of passage" similar to an American sweet 16. A lot of girls choose this trip over a big party. Any embassy is going to know about this and we know many people who have done it. However, the parents of these 15 year olds we know already had US visas even if the parents were not going on the trip themselves.

 

We just aren't sure if they are allowed to issue B2 visas to a minor if the parent doesn't already have one. If there is a law prohibiting that, we won't bother having her apply. That's my question.

There is no law to preventon it.  However, if the parents do not have visas, unless they can clearly demonstrate that they qualify for visas but just aren't applying (which would likely lead to a whole different set of questions), it is unlikely the child will be issued a visa.

[Family 3,988]

On 12/23/2022 at 2:19 PM, Sarah&Facundo said:

quinceñera programs where they go on a group to Disneyworld

I have met at least three women  who had entered with a quincenra -group tour ( bus) from Mexico..so it does happen. 

[Sarah&Facundo 595]

12 hours ago, Family said:

I have met at least three women  who had entered with a quincenra -group tour ( bus) from Mexico..so it does happen. 

Yes, those quincenera groups are super popular. But all the parents I know who have sent their kids had tourist visas themselves. In this case, the 15 year old's parent wouldn't have one. And my husband and I (aunt and uncle) would likely pay for most of, if not all of, the trip as our gift to her the summer following her 15th birthday before returning to high school.