Any odds on MIL / FIL rejection from Moscow interview?

[Bruce]

What are the odds that a given Russian MIL and or FIL will be rejected by the embassy in Moscow when their daughter is married to an American?  Bruno, you have any stats on that question  ?

[Rvrwind]

Actually, I don't have any stats Bruce, but I do know if you bring them over separately it is much easier.
Karl brought his MIL over for a year & she came back about 4-5 months ago I think, not positive & now the FIL has gone over for about 3-6 months. Much easier if you separate them than trying to bring them together. From my understanding it was a fairly painless process doing it that way.

[Bruce]

MIL and FIL were both at the Moscow embassy.  Both are allowed to visit.  Thanks all for help and advice (especially Ken C for letter template).  At least the Moscow embassy is making correct decisions.

[username33]

Karl brought his MIL over for a year

Is this on a tourist visa? Or is there a special visa for extended family stays? I'd like my wife's mother to be able to come over when we have a child, but was assuming that would be a problem, if only because it's so difficult for a Russian to get a tourist visa. No?

[Rvrwind]

Both are allowed to visit.

Kool Bruce, glad to hear, 'V' will be very pleased I'm sure.
I forgot your American & Karl is Canadian, so mybe the rules are a little different. But sure nice to see the US lettin' the inlaws visit!!

[Bruce]

Standard tourist visas.  I sure wish I had MIL when daughter was born.  Too bad she was working.  It probably is a multi-entry good for two years, but I'll know for sure when they get it.  All I know is that at the interview they said they passed their interview etc. and the visas will be sent to them soon.  I got them good tickets on Delta $657.0 total roundtrip each ($1314.0).  First real present I ever bought them.

[ConnerVT]

Is this on a tourist visa? Or is there a special visa for extended family stays? I'd like my wife's mother to be able to come over when we have a child,

There is no "Extended Family Stay" visa.  There is a multi-entry tourist visa, typically issued for one year, but sometimes can be obtained for two years (for Russian nationals, my only first hand experience).

As for all Tourist visas issued to Russian citizens, the main obstacle to get past is the convincing the folks at the State Department (the folks who staff and run the consulates) that the person applying for the visa has no intentions of remaining in the United States.  The people reviewing applications and interviewing visa applicants work with the presumption that each applicant wishes to remain in the USA, so the burden of proof is on the applicant to show why they will return to Russia (or, at least, leave the USA).

You can see how this is difficult to prove for a young women in (or recently graduated from) college.  Young, lovely, with no real, tangible assets other than being young and lovely.  Too easy for her to find an American sugar daddy and say "Nyet!" about leaving the USA.

Older, middle aged people have an easier time of it.  Many own homes or flats, have more well developed family and financial ties in Russia, and if lacking strong English skills, would not appear likely to drop everything and leave their life in Russia behind.  These people have the easiest time obtaining a tourist visa.

As people advance in age, or you begin to add grandchildren into the equation, you again change the equation and make successfully obtaining a visa less likely.

Older people begin to have less (living) ties, and may even be a burden for those in Russia to support financially.  It may be easier for them in the USA for the rich Americans to support, and to obtain better health care. (Uh-oh, no visa).

Having a new child?  What better an Au pair than Grandma?  Of course, that is not the purpose of a Tourist visa, which is really only to visit the USA for several weeks.  If there is a kid planned, it is best if no one makes mention of it.

Best advice?  Have them gather the support info they need before applying for the visa (interviews are scheduled immediately, about 2 weeks out).  Send them an Affidavit of Support (I-134), last year's Tax return (or transcript), and a letter of invitation, stating you will be paying for airfare, accommodations, etc.  They need to be honest at the interview, but don't offer more info than necessary.  They are interested to see how their daughter ans son-in-law live.  They wish to see America, the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, etc.

With the correct supporting documents and attitude, it shouldn't be a problem.

[KenC]

Standard tourist visas.  I sure wish I had MIL when daughter was born.  Too bad she was working.  It probably is a multi-entry good for two years, but I'll know for sure when they get it.  All I know is that at the interview they said they passed their interview etc. and the visas will be sent to them soon.  I got them good tickets on Delta $657.0 total roundtrip each ($1314.0).  First real present I ever bought them.

Bruce,
Glad to hear things worked out for you.  That is one hell of a good fare too.  Delta flights 30 & 31?  The best thing about getting the visas approved is that your inlaws are now golden for future ones.  Having them visit will be a blast for you!
KenC

[Jet]

I got them good tickets on Delta $657.0 total roundtrip each ($1314.0). 

That's a GREAT price!
We just picked up tix for our New Year trip - Dec 25 - Jan 4 and they ran us $930+$930+$790 (2650) Miami>Moscow R/T
It was the absolute best deal we could ferret out, you beat our cost by a bunch!

Agree with KenC, you'll have a blast with them here. 

[Turboguy]

I think a lot of that is your travel dates Jet.   Before VWRW and I decided to go to Egypt rather than freeze our tails off in Siberia I was planing to go back to her city.   I was looking at both early and late December and when I plugged in early December I was getting $ 700.00 fares to Moscow.  When I plugged in the holiday time I was lucky if I could find one for under a grand(there were a few).   Most of the flights were about $ 2500.

[Bruce]

VisitRussia Moscow office
Kuznetsky most st. 21/5, suite 4-075
Russia, Moscow
phone + 7 495 626 0391
fax + 7 495 628-9837
moscow@visitrussia.com
VisitRussia New York office
53 West 36th str, suite 301
New York, NY 10018
phone 1-212-8688700
toll free 1-800-7553080
fax 1- 212-8688588
ny@visitrussia.com
www.visitrussia.com

The above is the company I used that gave me the best price on Delta 30 / 31.  Ksenia is their NY girl who does their booking for you.  The big Russian ticket brokers usually have the best prices.  It is just a pain in the butt to go through all of them until you can make a decision.  Sometimes you hit the timing right and get lucky. 

[username33]

If there is a kid planned, it is best if no one makes mention of it.

I should know this by now. Less is more. Do not tell the truth, the government will punish you for it.

Thanks for the help. I'll keep it in mind. And I think if they do come over -- the in-laws -- maybe we could stagger it, or have the mother apply for multi-entry 2-year visa, and the father for just single-entry 30 days -- he works for the government, at oblast-level, in Russia, and would have to get back for work. That job should help, I'd think. And they do own two apartments, a dacha, and have a son in college. Okay, it's not sounding impossible anymore. This is good.

[ConnerVT]

I should know this by now. Less is more. Do not tell the truth, the government will punish you for it.

Well, not exactly what I said.  What is most important at the interview is that the interviewee is creditable and believable.  The people conducting the interviews are trained in looking for people lying. 

I am a strong advocate of telling the truth, but avoiding certain subjects if possible...   

...maybe we could stagger it, or have the mother apply for multi-entry 2-year visa, and the father for just single-entry 30 days --

A there is no "single entry 30 day" Tourist visa.  The embassy at Moscow will issue either a one year or two year, multi entry visa.

In any case, the State Dept. will know that the family has made two separate applications to their office.  The purpose?  To circumvent their rules and avoid scrutiny.  I doubt they like that kind of thing much.

Best bet is, if they plan on traveling to the USA together, is to apply for the visa together.  If they are holding assets in Russia, and are likely to return, they shouldn't have any difficulties.