Once again.....

[slim 1,519]

I know we've done this one to death and the chances are slim, but which way do you guys think holds the highest probability of succes?

Visitor, Student, Work through some bogus company?

My wife's sister would like to visit the U.S. for a few weeks. She's single and unemployed but she does own a pretty nice apartment. I know a straight up visitor visa has little chance of being approved, but there have been instances on here of people's siblings or in-laws visiting for a few weeks with not too much hassle. How did they go about doing it?

Any suggestions?

[Satellite 1]

Visitor, Student, Work through some bogus company?

Slim, a student visa will require your wife's sister to actually gain admission to a school in America. Pay out of state tuition for at least one year, which means showing the consulate about $10,000 to $25,000 in a bank account. That said you are up against either a financial burden or the admission burden. Remember the students need high TOEFL scores and the like.

A bogus company might not be a bad idea, however, you are up against fraud and money issues again. Some of the more creative ways of doing a bogus company is using the L1 inter company visa, when a real US company sets up a bogus company in order to transfer employees in. These companies are of course looking for specialists for "lower wages than US workers" and are not just messing around. H1B's require a Baccalaureate degree or higher and are over subscribed. Likewise other non-immigrants work visas have multiple year queues. Unless she qualifies as an O visa, extraordinary ability (noble prize, etc), the work visa isn't going to work.

J1 visa might work if she gets involved with some organization to be sent here to work as an exchange student over the summer or winter period in between school. There are 12 different kinds of J visas, but again they will be pricey in terms of organizational fees.

That brings you full circle back to a visitor visa or as crazy as it sounds a bogus fiancée visa! You have plenty of buddies Slim, I am sure it can be arranged and you are already an expert on what has to be done to get by.

Okay back to the visitor's visa. Probably not enough on what she has. You can pay some Russian company or use your own connections to secure fake documents showing a high earning job, memberships, car and property ownership. A letter from employer stating length of absence and expectancy to return to work.

I don't know what else to say. I hope they don't censor my post for my "ideas".

[mox 298]

I don't know what else to say. I hope they don't censor my post for my "ideas".

I hope they don't censor your post either, but I do have to wonder how Slim's wife's status might be affected if they were to catch him committing Visa fraud. I don't plan on jaywalking for the next 2 years after my gal arrives, let alone play games with the USCIS. That's playing for keeps.

Slim, maybe an immigration lawyer could steer you in the right direction. Pay up for the initial consult and then do the rest the VJ way.

[Satellite 1]

I don't know what else to say. I hope they don't censor my post for my "ideas".

I do have to wonder how Slim's wife's status might be affected if they were to catch him committing Visa fraud.

First of all Slim is not likely to get caught unless he sets up a business in doing this or something like trafficking in people for labor or sexual purposes. One isolated case won't draw attention to him. Usually only the visa applicants are punished.

But for the sake of guessing, if he was caught, he could probably stay out on bail long enough to lift conditions for his wife. And even if he is incarcerated he is still married. However, I see your point on his marriage being questioned as well. But it is all a guess here.

Being in jail would certainly effect the initial AOS, where the USC spouse must be present, but lifting conditions and citizenship are all on paper. And on paper they are fine even if he is jail or convicted. Because no one cares for the USC's criminal record unless he is doing a K1 or the immigrant is applying for benefits under VAWA.

[slim 1,519]

You guys have dealt with FSU stuff long enough by now to know one should never have dirt on their own hands. Come on, didn't you learn anything getting your visa to Russia? (If that's not a bogus system, I don't know what is.)

Satellite, thanks for the "ideas." That's exactly what I was looking for - a real world, no BS assesment of the visas and the possiblilty of getting one.

And to all those out there that read "how do I scam a visa for my sister-in-law?", you read way too much into it. I have had several buddies "volunteer" to make a fiancee visa but in reality, there's no need. She has a "sponsor" already who is willing to pay for everything, so I'm sure they'll be able to come up with something.

Myself and my wife are going to have no part of it except maybe to send an invitation letter if necessary, but even that looks to be unnecessary.

Anyone out there actually have siblings visit? How???

[Jasman0717 9]

Not likely to get a visa, especially if unemployed.

[slim 1,519]

Is it just as hard for girls from the P.I. to get visitor visas?

[Satellite 1]

Is it just as hard for girls from the P.I. to get visitor visas?

Probably even worse then from Russia. As far as I am aware there is no Moscow phenomenon in the Philippines, at least the Moscowites have a shot in my opinion.

[slim 1,519]

Is it just as hard for girls from the P.I. to get visitor visas?

Probably even worse then from Russia. As far as I am aware there is no Moscow phenomenon in the Philippines, at least the Moscowites have a shot in my opinion.

There is somewhat of a similar deal there although it's not from wealth. It's from an American connection. The U.S. military was stationed there for many years following WWII and since then there are familial ties and business associates around the islands that still have some "pull" with the U.S. government.

Are they the girls trying to get visas? Probably not, but there is an "in" there as well.

[Neonred 3,537]

I know we've done this one to death and the chances are slim, but which way do you guys think holds the highest probability of succes?

Visitor, Student, Work through some bogus company?

My wife's sister would like to visit the U.S. for a few weeks. She's single and unemployed but she does own a pretty nice apartment. I know a straight up visitor visa has little chance of being approved, but there have been instances on here of people's siblings or in-laws visiting for a few weeks with not too much hassle. How did they go about doing it?

Any suggestions?

Slim I think you understand how difficult it can be. My wife's daughter came over last year on her K-2 but only stayed about two months and returned to go to university in Russia, and (after all) she likes her life in Russia. We thought a J-1 student work and travel visa would be great for her this summer. We had met many Russian and Ukrainian university students in Orlando working and making money for the summer. Checked in to it and used a visa company in Russia that was working with a large group of students. Even they thought she would have an easy time of it since she had been here before and returned without any problems or overstays. WRONG

She had to attend the interview at the embassy like everyone else. They only asked her a few question. They said "We see you have been to the US before?" She told them yes. with her mother.... They said "We see your mother is married and now living in the US?" She explained about her mother's K-1 and marriage.... They said " VISA DENIED" It was a very sad day.

I had several communications with the embassy about this and the only thing they told me was that she was free to apply again, and that she MUST be proactive with her information to the CO. In other words before he asks she must indicate why she will return (enrolled university student, etc, etc) and have more proof of returning. I even called my senators office and they were just plain stupid (they could not understand what I was telling them...) but basically said that the embassy can do what they want.

Your sister-in-laws chances are.....slim

Edited October 26, 2007 by Neonred

[Blues Fairy 0]

Myself and my wife are going to have no part of it except maybe to send an invitation letter if necessary, but even that looks to be unnecessary.

Anyone out there actually have siblings visit? How???

Exactly my case. In January I obtained a B1-B2 visa through my cousin and her USC husband, without disclosing that I had a fiance in the States. My cousin and her hubby wrote an invitation letter and provided letters from their employers. I provided letter from my employer and my car ownership docs. I own no apartment but my earnings are way above the Moscow average and I was able to persuade the CO that I was focused on pursuing a career in Russia. They questioned me about my job and asked if I was married; I said I had a boyfriend. "A grazhdansky muzh?" - joked the CO. - "Yeah, I guess so..."

So I think your sis-in-law has to arrange a fake employment letter, at least, and present herself very confidently at the visa interview. She has a chance.

[slim 1,519]

So I think your sis-in-law has to arrange a fake employment letter, at least, and present herself very confidently at the visa interview. She has a chance.

This seems to be the general concensus. It seems if she were to present an employment letter and proof of owning her apartment, all the while stressing she was just coming to "visit" with all intentions of returning, she has a ..... slim chance.

Now if she can only find someone to make her an employment letter..... hmmmm.

Thanks for all the posts, everyone.

[mox 298]

Now if she can only find someone to make her an employment letter..... hmmmm.

This might be getting into "off topic" territory, but How much do they check up on something like that? I mean, will they check tax ID numbers and all that? Or will they pretty much take them at face value?

What would stop you from creating a little S-Corp (less than a $100 to file in most states), call yourself a "web developer," and then create the employment letter with the intent that she is your Russian translator so you can develop multi-language websites? It's a little contrived example, but just wondering about the technicalities.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Slim,

I think your best chance is to write a letter of invitation to your sister-in-law and forward a copy to the embassy. Attach a cover letter to the embassy stressing that she owns her own home and is only planning a visit to see her sister. If possible, you might have her get a letter from an employer in her town stating that she is off work due to a temporary slow down and that her job should be restored when the work picks up. There are probably a few employers that would be willing to write that letter for a few bucks.

That's probably your best shot.

[Blues Fairy 0]

Now if she can only find someone to make her an employment letter..... hmmmm.

Does she or her parents have any friends who own/ run a private business?

Have them print a letter on their company letterhead, sign and seal it with their company seal. Show an income of no less than $1500/ month in rouble equivalent.

Show a bank account with $ x,000 in it. She must know how to explain in detail what she does at her work and what are her career plans.