Visitation visa

[donedidit]

update on earlier post,my sister inlaw was again denied visitation visa, for the third time,after her second interview she traveled to some eastern Europe countries so she would not have a empty passport,and as suggested we contacted our senator and her office sent a letter to the embassy saying they feel she is a good canidate for approval,she has two grown children living in Ukraine,recently became a grandmother,owns property,and a job as a school teacher,there is nothing about her that would suggest she will overstay her visa,her sister my wife has been a US citizen for over ten years,is it Trump,is anyone from Ukraine getting visitation visas ?

[jone]

Oh, about one out of ten. 

[BillyB]

after her second interview she traveled to some eastern Europe countries so she would not have a empty passport,

That helps little or none at all. Meeting the requirements to visit other countries isn't the same as meeting the requirements to visit America.

as suggested we contacted our senator

I recommended you contact your Congressperson. Senators represent the State and Congressmen represent the people and are more equipped to help people.

her office sent a letter to the embassy saying they feel she is a good canidate for approval,she has two grown children living in Ukraine,recently became a grandmother,owns property,and a job as a school teacher,there is nothing about her that would suggest she will overstay her visa,her sister my wife has been a US citizen for over ten years

Our government officials will write a letter stating our in laws are good candidates but they'll only bring up the "good"  stuff that we tell them about. In a past post, you mentioned your SIL gets $60 a month pension. That is grounds for rejection nearly every time. A tourist visa is not designed to bring family over to visit. A tourist visa is designed to bring money to America. The consulate interviewer may believe your SIL will return home but knows she's not paying for any of her trip. In other words, your SIL is not using a tourist visa for its intended purposes.

Did your Senator call the consulate before the interview? A person representing my Congressman's office called the consulate before my MIL's interview. When she went to the interview, they knew who she was and was easily granted a tourist visa.

Did your SIL put a copy of the Senator's letter in the front of the packet of documents she was supposed to submit before the interview? This packet gets reviewed before the interview. Most of the time the interviewer makes his/her decision before the interview takes place.

Our Congress can't tell the consulate how to do their job but the consulate knows Congress controls the money so they better not piss them off.

is it Trump,is anyone from Ukraine getting visitation visas ?

Trump's immigration has decreased the number of tourist visas and student visas. He has increased the visas for farm workers and intelligent people to come here and work. Most illegal immigration doesn't happen due to people crossing the Southern border. Most illegal immigrant came here legally by way of tourist and student visas.

Trump isn't your biggest problem. There is a Ukrainian bitch working for the consulate. Those who are repeat interviewees know her well. She rejects nearly everybody. An American man interviewed my MIL when she got approved. It can be a numbers game. Your SIL can apply for a tourist visa as many times as she wants as often as she wants. She may get a different interviewer and find success.

[Steamer]

That helps little or none at all. Meeting the requirements to visit other countries isn't the same as meeting the requirements to visit America.

It's better to go to western Europe not former FSU countries.

[ML]

Your SIL can apply for a tourist visa as many times as she wants as often as she wants.

Subject to . . . as many times as she can afford.

[SteveInBoston]

A tourist visa is not designed to bring family over to visit. A tourist visa is designed to bring money to America. The consulate interviewer may believe your SIL will return home but knows she's not paying for any of her trip. In other words, your SIL is not using a tourist visa for its intended purposes.

Absolutely incorrect.  Per the US State government website, the example activities permitted on a Tourist visa (B2):

 - Tourism
 - Vacation
 - Visit with friends or relatives
 - Medical treatment
 - Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
 - Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
 - Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

The mandate the embassy follows is that the consulate officer has to assume as default that the person applying for a non-immigrant visa will try to emigrate, and that the applicant must prove to the officer's satisfaction that they have strong ties to their home country and will return.

[BillyB]

It's better to go to western Europe not former FSU countries.

My MIL been all over Western Europe and worked as a doctor in Libya. Her passport was full and she got denied for a visa to America.

Absolutely incorrect.  Per the US State government website, the example activities permitted on a Tourist visa (B2):

 - Tourism
 - Vacation
 - Visit with friends or relatives
 - Medical treatment
 - Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
 - Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
 - Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

The mandate the embassy follows is that the consulate officer has to assume as default that the person applying for a non-immigrant visa will try to emigrate, and that the applicant must prove to the officer's satisfaction that they have strong ties to their home country and will return.

ALL that stuff doesn't matter if the applicant can't pay for his or her trip. Income is probably the number one reason people get rejected. The tourist visa is designed to bring foreign money to America. Our government or any government website may not say that is their number one reason for the existence of tourist visas but it is.

[SteveInBoston]

What your personal beliefs of how the government should be does not equate to how the government is.

Even if a person can't afford their trip to the US, they will still contribute to the economy.  The friend or relative will fund airfare, and even if it's a foreign airline, part of the fare is airport fees.  They will need to provide transportation, spending on taxi, bus, train or fuel.  They will need to provide extra food, whether groceries or dining out.

A foreign visitor simulates the economy, by varying degrees.  They will more than likely do "tourist" stuff, either visiting parks or just the nearest major city for shopping and siteseeing.  The government likes people spending, because spending stimulates the economy and taxes.   So, even a poor foreign visitor contributes.

The main reason for rejection is suspicion of either seeking work or trying to be a permanent resident on a non-immigrant visa.  Or suspicion of being a burden in some other way, such as seeking free medical care or social program.

 

[krimster2]

"is anyone from Ukraine getting visitation visas ? "

pre-Trump my mother-in-law came twice to the USA from Ukraine on a visitor's visa with NO PROBLEM at all!!
since Trump, I'd recommend you spend the money elsewhere and wait until we have a new president with a new attitude on immigration
and THEN try again....

[Steamer]

My MIL been all over Western Europe and worked as a doctor in Libya. Her passport was full and she got denied for a visa to America.

It's still better to have European stamps in the passport than from the Stans.

[donedidit]

Our government does not want you here unless you have money to spend,I guess that depends on who you are, our town has a large populatin of Babtists from eastern Europe,refugees claiming persecution that no longer exists,living in nice houses,driving bmw,s working for cash while taking thousands in government aid.neither of ever imagined that her family would never be allowed to visit her when she moved here 15 years ago.I understand many overstay their visa but there is absolutely nothing about my SIL to suggest she would. But you are right our only option is to keep trying but it is taking a toll on my SIL

[krimster2]

so what's the deal with your SIL, why is this so important to her to come here?
after all, your wife can always come and see her in Ukraine whenever she wants with no hassle at all...

does your SIL have a schenzhen visa for europe with stamps?
owns own house
married
has children in Ukraine
has job in Ukraine
never overstayed a visa anywhere

and still denied?
unless there's a red flag, then like I said, just wait until there's a new less hostile DHS post Trump...
pre-Trump it was no problem, I did it twice and so have friends, all with no problems

hehe, yeah I sponsored one of the persecuted Baptists and helped him file for asylum and he WON in immigration court!
and is now a Permanent Resident in the USA!!!
don't WORRY, he's WHITE, so it's OK!!!
it's not like he's Mexican or something...geez...

[SteveInBoston]

Donedidit,

A good resource would be visajourneys.com  That site specialized in discussions related to both non-immigrant and immigrant visas.

[2tallbill]

update on earlier post,my sister inlaw was again denied visitation visa, for the third time,after her second interview she traveled to some eastern Europe countries so she would not have a empty passport,and as suggested we contacted our senator and her office sent a letter to the embassy saying they feel she is a good candidate for approval,she has two grown children living in Ukraine,recently became a grandmother,owns property,and a job as a school teacher, there is nothing about her that would suggest she will overstay her visa,her sister my wife has been a US citizen for over ten years,is it Trump,is anyone from Ukraine getting visitation visas ?

There is nothing that says that she won't overstay her visa. She has
no young children staying behind, she has a crap job, she has a place
to stay forever with a US relative. She's never traveled to anywhere
of consequence and went back home.

She should apply through a travel agency for a visa country to a
Western European country like Greece or Spain.

With 3 rejections I would get at least 3 stamps, 4 would be better.
It's not cheap, but she can do 3 to 4 three day weekends.

She should also have at least $4K in a bank account verified before
traveling. The US government likes to know that she has money
to support herself while in the USA. 

With three rejections you really don't want to half ass this.

[Faux Pas]

"is anyone from Ukraine getting visitation visas ? "

pre-Trump my mother-in-law came twice to the USA from Ukraine on a visitor's visa with NO PROBLEM at all!!
since Trump, I'd recommend you spend the money elsewhere and wait until we have a new president with a new attitude on immigration
and THEN try again....

Bullshit. This rejection has nothing at all to do with Trump. I've never personally heard President Donald J. Trump even comment on visitation visas, have you? He actually is a fan of legal immigration. He's stated as much. You've put yourself in the class of sheeple President Trump haters of Moobs and JayH and you have no idea why you hate him and have to blame him for pretty much everything

[jone]

There is nothing that says that she won't overstay her visa. She has
no young children staying behind, she has a crap job, she has a place
to stay forever with a US relative. She's never traveled to anywhere
of consequence and went back home.

She should apply through a travel agency for a visa country to a
Western European country like Greece or Spain.

With 3 rejections I would get at least 3 stamps, 4 would be better.
It's not cheap, but she can do 3 to 4 three day weekends.

She should also have at least $4K in a bank account verified before
traveling. The US government likes to know that she has money
to support herself while in the USA. 

With three rejections you really don't want to half ass this.

To add to what Bill says, they actually look to confirm that the money claimed in the account hasn't just been put there but that it has aged in the account.

[BillyB]

What your personal beliefs of how the government should be does not equate to how the government is.

Even if a person can't afford their trip to the US, they will still contribute to the economy.  The friend or relative will fund airfare, and even if it's a foreign airline, part of the fare is airport fees.  They will need to provide transportation, spending on taxi, bus, train or fuel.  They will need to provide extra food, whether groceries or dining out.

I thought personal beliefs don't matter. I've read these forums off and on for over a dozen years. Read many tourist visa rejections and a few successes. I've had family members on the receiving end of rejection and helped them get approved. I don't use opinions or personal beliefs to get things done.

Many people make the mistake of finding info about a visa that suits their needs. They fail on finding out what the government needs and if they can't provide the government with what they need, they fail on figuring out how to get around it.

Below government website says government may ask for proof from an applicant that they have the ability to pay ALL the costs of their own trip to America. The website even says a affidavit of support from a family member won't help.

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Dondidit's SIL gets $60 a month pension every month. She will fail nearly every time she applies for a tourist visa. She needs help. Putting money in her bank account and a letter from a Congressman or Senator aren't always enough. I told my Congressman's representative handling my case that the interviewers don't always read the documents in the packet on the day of the interview and asked if they could call. The phone call is big because most likely it will be a conversation between the interviewer's boss and the office of a politician that helps fund their embassy.consulate. I'm stubborn and figure out how to get my way at most things in life. Women like it. If Dondidit wants to be a hero in his wife's eyes, he will try harder to get his SIL a tourist visa.

[GQBlues]

Our government does not want you here unless you have money to spend,I guess that depends on who you are, our town has a large populatin of Babtists from eastern Europe,refugees claiming persecution that no longer exists,living in nice houses,driving bmw,s working for cash while taking thousands in government aid.neither of ever imagined that her family would never be allowed to visit her when she moved here 15 years ago.I understand many overstay their visa but there is absolutely nothing about my SIL to suggest she would. But you are right our only option is to keep trying but it is taking a toll on my SIL

Based solely on your SIL's cited credentials, the only thing that really jumps is her financial state. You say she's a teacher but another post cited she's on a $60.00/month pension. Forget all the other qualifying factors, one of the major point they look at is her financial solvency when she enters the USA. That fact alone screams at the likelihood of her going under the radar.

I just read BillyB's last post/paragraph. I would mostly agree. But even your congress representative won't do any good if her financial state remains at this level. $60.00/month pension doesn't even get her inside Disneyland. Maybe the parking lot...

[donedidit]

2tallhill breaking her visa means never seeing her children or grandchild again,she has been back to visit a few times but is there anyone on this forum whose wife does not have a strong desire to have family come to visit,I asked about trump because a Jamaican coworker told me it has become much more difficult since trump for his friends and family,and why does the interviewer tell her why she is being denied,krimster not sure what you meant by do not worry he is white comment,but telling one Ukrainian move to the US and we will pay for everything and telling another you can not even visit seems insane to me,but we think the spain idea is a good one and we making plans for that

[2tallbill]

2tallhill breaking her visa means never seeing her children or grandchild again,she has been back to visit a few times but is there anyone on this forum whose wife does not have a strong desire to have family come to visit

I wasn't saying that I don't think that she will return, I was stating
how the Visa officials look at it. They look at her as very high risk.

I got a Visa for Angel Eyes and Smiley girl to come visit me, but
first I got them a Visa to Spain. Then I put money in Angel Eyes
account so that he would look like she was rich enough to tour
around the USA.

Have SIL inquire at a travel agency about how to get a European
visa. They will know what she needs to do.

[krimster2]

ok, I'll tell you the "secret" of how you get a visitor's visa....
ok, listen up....
when you write the visitor's visa request letter
what you do is you say your wife is pregnant and would like her sister's help when the baby is due
make a little "sob story" about it, it TOTALLY WORKS!!!!
did it twice, but pre-Trump, so I don't know about now
mother in law was very poor...
which didn't matter

[BillyB]

breaking her visa means never seeing her children or grandchild again,

Not true. Once a person is in the States on a tourist visa, they can apply for asylum or possibly have a family member apply for Adjustment of Status for a green card. I dated a woman that got asylum after coming here on a tourist visa. I dated another woman who came here on a tourist visa, got an attorney because she was afraid to go back to her abusive husband back in Russia. She later brought her kids over.

when you write the visitor's visa request letter
what you do is you say your wife is pregnant and would like her sister's help when the baby is due
make a little "sob story" about it, it TOTALLY WORKS!!!!

That can work. Also stating that the pregnant wife and husband will help financially take care of the applicant be submitted along with that story.

I still say Donedidit should have someone from his Congressperson's office call someone big at the Consulate and request that SIL get a tourist visa day before the next interview. Government officials can't tell Consulates how to handle their affairs but they can make requests and high level people in the Consulates want to play nice with the people that control the purse strings.

[ML]

Then I put money in Angel Eyes account so that he would look like she was rich enough to tour
around the USA.

Very risky.  She probably took the money and ran off with a man from Bulgaria.
Then substituted her sister to go to you.

[ML]

Not true. Once a person is in the States on a tourist visa, they can apply for asylum or possibly have a family member apply for Adjustment of Status for a green card. I dated a woman that got asylum after coming here on a tourist visa. I dated another woman who came here on a tourist visa, got an attorney because she was afraid to go back to her abusive husband back in Russia. She later brought her kids over.

Billy, you have told this before and it is very misleading.

In general, what you claim simply cannot be done.

Yes, it can happen one in a thousand or more . . . but would be silly to rely on it as a strategy.

[2tallbill]

Very risky.  She probably took the money and ran off with a man from Bulgaria.
Then substituted her sister to go to you.

I didn't think about that, removing everything in my house and
replacing it with an exact duplicate.