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Author Topic: Invitation letter for MIL2B and friends to come to wedding in USA... need help.  (Read 98899 times)

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Offline MaxxumUSA

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I would like to have the invitation letter done when I go to Russia next time.  For those of you who might stumble upon this thread that do not know my sitation I will give a little background.

Fiancee is coming here in a few weeks on a K-1 fiancee visa.  I am going to Russia to travel with her back to the USA.

When I am in Russia I would like to have the invitation letters all ready for friends and relatives that want to come for the wedding.  I know there will be two friends that want to come - don't think they will have too much problem getting a visa with a good invitation letter.

I request that RWD members that have successfully invited people from Russia to post their invitation letters here.  Also please explain the process.
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Offline groovlstk

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My MIL visited us in July for 8 days and had no problem getting her visa. The invitation letter I sent vouched for her character, I stated she was paying for the trip herself but that I would make sure she abided by the terms of her visa (hah). I also stated her intent - to attend a party we were having to celebrate her daughter's marriage.

In preparation we sent her the following docs to bring along with her to the interview:
-Copy of the main page of my wife's international passport + copy of her visa
-Copy of my wife's birth certificate along w/English translation
-Copy of our marriage certificate

Don't know valuable these docs were as the embassy clerk paged through everything with hardly a glance and approved her in about 5 minutes, so this is just FYI  :P As William III pointed out in another thread, babushkas get less scrutiny.

Offline catzenmouse

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Not sure if it matters or not but I wonder if you can even begin the process before your lady has the visa in hand and is here. Reason I say this is I can't tell if you are just doing prep work or are actually starting the process when you go.

FWIW,
 Ken
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-- Louis K. Anspacher

Offline BC

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Not sure if it matters or not but I wonder if you can even begin the process before your lady has the visa in hand and is here. Reason I say this is I can't tell if you are just doing prep work or are actually starting the process when you go.

FWIW,
 Ken

Considering having to get married within 90 days and that the visa appointment schedule this time of year may be quite full it's probably prudent to apply early.  An invitation stating such might help explain the timing issue.  How about wedding invitations as documentation?  Add contact info with tel. number of the wedding venue in case they want to confirm.

When we applied for a US visa for wife and daughter, we included info regarding the business convention I was attending and our registration.  Dunno if it really helped but it shurely didn't hinder.  We were probably heavily scrutinized.. married to USC, child with US passport.. - prime candidates for bypassing normal K3 procedures.

In any case good luck~!

Offline MaxxumUSA

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Not sure if it matters or not but I wonder if you can even begin the process before your lady has the visa in hand and is here. Reason I say this is I can't tell if you are just doing prep work or are actually starting the process when you go.

FWIW,
 Ken

I will be in Russia in two weeks.  We are all getting together with friends and family a few days after Elena's interview.  I am assuming she will be approved for the visa.  Immediately after her approval I want to have the invitation letters ready, so I can physically hand the friend/relative who needs it.  I assume I give it to the person wanting to visit and they apply.  I will be able to help the paperwork for them while I am in russia much easier than over the phone.

Our wedding will be about 2 1/2 months after she gets the visa.  This should give her friends time to try for a tourist visa.
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Offline catzenmouse

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Didn't I read somewhere here recently that the application has to be done online and then printed so that it has the bar code on it? May want to double check the embassy site and or with someone like WilliamIII.

 Good Luck!

Ken
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Offline I/O

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Not sure if it is relevant to the USA, but being in a country notoriously difficult for Russian women to get access, particularly for a visitor or toursit type visa, in the invitation letters, I have done two things several times, which I am not certain if or not it carried weight, 1) I offered to surrender my passport to immigration upon their arrival and collect again upon their departure and 2) I had my letters witnessed by lawyers AND a magistrate (Judge) to ramp up the validity factor.

Again there is no way of my knowing whether or not these actions effected the outcome of applications,(All have been successful without any questions) but it may be worth trying.

I/O

Offline MaxxumUSA

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Ok...  so a few here have had success.

Can you PM me a copy of the actual invite letters?  Or post here if you feel comfortable.

OH...  and also tell me whether the visa was issued or not.  I think it might be useful to see both letters that failed and letters that succeeded.

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Offline groovlstk

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Ok...  so a few here have had success.

Can you PM me a copy of the actual invite letters?  Or post here if you feel comfortable.

OH...  and also tell me whether the visa was issued or not.  I think it might be useful to see both letters that failed and letters that succeeded.

FWIW, names changed to protect the innocent and guilty. I'm guessing it will be easy for your MIL to get a visa but her friends might need more weight.

May 6, 2007

U.S. Embassy
Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8
Moscow 121099, Russian Federation - PSC-77, APO AE 09721

Dear Consular Officer:

My name is Groovybaby and I’m writing this letter to humbly request that you review my mother-in-law’s petition for a tourist visa. My mother-in-law, Mrs. D, a Russian citizen, would like to visit myself and her daughter, Polina Groovbaby, who is also my wife.

I am a US Citizen, by birth, and Polina and I were married on February 10, 2007. Currently, Polina has filed for Adjustment of Status and we await her Green Card. During Mrs. D’s stay with us, we plan a belated wedding celebration with my family and Svetlana, scheduled for July 14, 2007.

Mrs. D will pay for her own airline tickets and related expenses; while in the US, she will live with us and I will be responsible for all expenditures related to her visit.

I thank you for your attention to this matter and send you polite greetings from your homeland.

Sincerely,
Groovybaby

Offline MaxxumUSA

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Groov...

I didn't see the word "invitation" anywhere.

Did you get help from a laywer or someone here with the wording?

I wonder what would be the chances since we will not technically be married yet.

In vaughn's thread about visa denial there is mention that the in-laws should have money in the bank.  How much documentation will they want as proof?  I mean...  I can send whatever cash is needed but it will be recently deposited.

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Offline I/O

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This might give you some ideas

I/O

Offline groovlstk

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Maxxum,

I didn't use a lawyer nor did I crib the letter from anywhere, it was the product of my own deranged mind.

IO's example appears much more comprehensive, if you need a template I'd suggest going w/his.

Offline I/O

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it was the product of my own deranged mind.

Just my inane wafflings but it seemed to work each time. I have good friends as lawyers, but I don't like paying them to do what I can do myself.

I/O

Offline ecr844

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Just my inane wafflings but it seemed to work each time. I have good friends as lawyers, but I don't like paying them to do what I can do myself.

I/O
With the string of sucesses you've had it would nearly be counter intuitive to think about getting a lawyer for this.


Offline I/O

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With the string of sucesses you've had it would nearly be counter intuitive to think about getting a lawyer for this.

Prolly just dumb luck.  I always suggest to anyone who asks about this (And a few from my country have) they consult an appropriate specialist lawyer.  RWD American guys are truely blessed to have William here offering FOC advice.

I/O

Offline AnastassiaAsh

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Maxxum, this didn't work at all 6 years ago... My mom had everything to return to...Naaa, one look at her and it was over. She was divorced though....

I like I/O idea about surrendering them their passport.

Maybe this will help you with some ideas and wording too.
________________________________
US Embassy Consular Section, Moscow, Russia

Case Type: B2 Visitor Visa
Beneficiary:  Ludmila   

March 18, 2001

Re: B2 Visitor Visa Invitation for Ludmila (Mother-in-law)

My wife, Anastassia, and I would like to formally invite Ludmila, Anastassia’s mother, to visit us in the USA.  Ludmila plans to arrive near the end of May or first part of June and depart near the end of June or first part of July depending on issuance of the B2 Visitor Visa.  Anastassia will be giving birth to our first child sometime in May.  The main purpose for Ludmila’s visit is for her to help us the first few weeks with the baby and of course also to see her first grandchild. 

While she is here she will be staying with us in our home in Redmond, Washington.  We also at some point during her visit will likely go to a small town (Kamiah) in Idaho to visit my parents, Wayne and Sarah Wasem, for a few days.  During Ludmila’s stay in the USA I will be providing all living expenses and in case of need pay any medical expenses.  I will also be purchasing her round trip ticket.  I will personally escort my mother-in-law from the Port of Entry airport (Seattle, Washington USA – SEAtac) and back to the airport on her departure date.

Following is Ludmila’s address:

Thank you very much for your consideration,

Lance W. Wasem

Offline MaxxumUSA

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Maxxum, this didn't work at all 6 years ago... My mom had everything to return to...Naaa, one look at her and it was over. She was divorced though....

I like I/O idea about surrendering them their passport.

Maybe this will help you with some ideas and wording too.
________________________________
US Embassy Consular Section, Moscow, Russia

Case Type: B2 Visitor Visa
Beneficiary:  Ludmila   

March 18, 2001

Re: B2 Visitor Visa Invitation for Ludmila (Mother-in-law)

My wife, Anastassia, and I would like to formally invite Ludmila, Anastassia’s mother, to visit us in the USA.  Ludmila plans to arrive near the end of May or first part of June and depart near the end of June or first part of July depending on issuance of the B2 Visitor Visa.  Anastassia will be giving birth to our first child sometime in May.  The main purpose for Ludmila’s visit is for her to help us the first few weeks with the baby and of course also to see her first grandchild. 

While she is here she will be staying with us in our home in Redmond, Washington.  We also at some point during her visit will likely go to a small town (Kamiah) in Idaho to visit my parents, Wayne and Sarah Wasem, for a few days.  During Ludmila’s stay in the USA I will be providing all living expenses and in case of need pay any medical expenses.  I will also be purchasing her round trip ticket.  I will personally escort my mother-in-law from the Port of Entry airport (Seattle, Washington USA – SEAtac) and back to the airport on her departure date.

Following is Ludmila’s address:

Thank you very much for your consideration,

Lance W. Wasem

I am not qualified to comment on what (precisely) made this letter NOT approved.  There are many circumstances with visa issuance.

Having said that...  for some reason I did not feel warm and fuzzys reading it when I put myself in the CO's position.  I would like to add more to my critique and what I think might have been wrong...  but only with your permission which I will await.

Thank you!  very much for posting a letter that was NOT approved.  I think this is a very important part of the learning process.

Oh...  and BTW I never officially asked.  May I critique that letter publicly?
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Offline MaxxumUSA

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More invite letters please?

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Offline Vaughn

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Dear Honorable Officials,

  We, Elvira Russkaya Flintstone, an Unconditional Permanent Resident of the United States,
and her husband, Vaughn Frederick Flintstone, A United States citizen by birth, do formally
extend an invitation to Elvira's biological sister, Venera Prettykova, to visit them in
their home in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a period not to exceed four weeks.

  The purpose of Venera's visit is to simply spend quality time with her sister, Elvira,
brother-in-law, Vaughn and niece, Lenara Beautikova, who is Elvira's biological daughter
and holds the same immigration status as her mother. We understand the expenses involved,
and are prepared to finance Venera's entire journey as well as living expenses while here, so as
not to burden either the government of the Russian Federation, nor the government of the
United States of America. Further, we want the Embassy to be quite confident that we are
residents of the USA who take accountability very seriously - and that we personally will
guarantee that Venera will return to her hometown of Yoshkar Ola in the Republic of Mari-El in a timely manner, in accordance with the visa we implore you to issue.

  In appreciation of your time and consideration, we remain,

Sincerely Yours,

Blah Blah Blah.....this one failed just last week for my wife's 39 year old sister. But a nearly
identically worded letter worked wonders for then 65-year old Mama in 2004....

By virtue of Mama's success, I really believed our claim of financing everything was
good posture - apparently, they issued her visa despite that.... or perhaps,
due to her age, they never bothered reading our letter at all?

Maxxum, for invited guests of retirement age ( and I don't know how old your
future MIL is) you're probably in good shape. Any invitees younger than that,
consider the following list as recommended by the local district office of our
Congresswoman: (I cannot deal with the Wiki format at this awful hour!) Bear
in mind that this list is designed for a Congressional office to maximize their
effectiveness in dealing with a failed attempt (although I've been recently
informed that an "appeal" cannot be made.) That aside, I believe there are
some strong points here to consider - especially documenting the relatives
who are not applying. Think strong ties! Ties cannot be adequately
portrayed by a set of documents focusing on just the applicant. THAT's
what we've learned from our recent experience....

 1) Full Name
 2) Date and Place of Birth (City, Town, Province, Country)
 3) Residential Address
 4) Home and Office Telephone Number
 5) Employment Position, Name of Employer, Address of Employer, and
     Length of Time at present Employment
 6) Same Information on Spouse as listed in numbers 1 to 5 above
 7) Same Information on All Children as listed in numbers 1 to 5 above
 8] If Spouse or Children are Naturalized US Citizens or Legal
     Permanent Residents of the United States, please indicate status
     and provide their Naturalization Cerificate Number, Date of Naturalization,
     Place of Naturalization, Name listed on Naturalization Certificate, and
     USCIS Registration Number (also referred to as former Green Card number
     or A number). Also provide copy of Naturalization Certificate or Green Card
     for Spouse or Children.
 9) List Financial Assets: Does applicant for visa own a home, own property,
     own a business, own automobile(s)? If so, state what is owned and where
     property or home is located. Does applicant have a checking or savings
     account? State name of financial institution where accounts are located.
10) Provide same biographic information as listed in numbers 1-5 above for
     siblings (brothers and sisters) of visa applicant(s), list same information for
     parents.
11) Has a Relative Immigrant Visa (RIV) Petition (Form I-130) ever been filed
     on behalf of the visa applicant? If so, by whom and when? Provide copy of
     Fee Receipt Notice, or Notice of Action on the I-130 filing. What was the
     outcome of filing, if known, or is case still pending?
12) Has an Immigrant Occupational Visa Petition (Form I-140) ever been filed on
     behalf of the visa applicant? If so, by whom and when? Provide copy of
     Fee Receipt Notice, or Notice of Action on the I-140 filing. What was the
     outcome of filing, if known, or is case still pending?
13) Has the visa applicant ever visited the United States before and for what
     purpose? If so, when, where, and for how long? Answer same questions
     for multiple trips to the U.S.A.
14) Has the visa applicant ever visited another country and for what purpose? If
     so, where, when and for how long? How many trips to each country visited
     have they made, responding to where, when and for how long?
15) Has the visa applicant already visited the American Consulate to apply
     for their visa? If so, when and what was the outcome? List multiple times
     visits to Consulate were made concerning this matter and the outcome of
     those visits.
16) Has an invitation letter from the party in the United States seeking
     individual(s) to visit been provided to the visa applicant? Please provide
     a copy of invitation letter to me.
17) If the visa applicant is seeking to attend a seminar, conference, tour
     plant facilities, etc., please provide copy of itinerary for intended length
     of stay.
« Last Edit: August 09, 2007, 11:18:43 PM by Vaughn »

Offline AnastassiaAsh

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May I critique that letter publicly?

Yes, Max, that's fine, do it here, the goal is to acheave results, to compose such a letter that they will accept. I am not in this situation any more and doubt i will ever be.  8) Lance did K1 himself and that went without any problems within 3 months....and then he decided to do this himself too...go ahead...

Offline William3rd

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OR- you could contact a boutique law office that regularly handles NIV cases and evaluate your chances on any given set of circumstances.

Single friends of work age are problematic. They have a tendency to overstay, or work or become students or get married.

Makes the embassy look bad.

That first rejection is often tough to overcome.

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Re: Invitation letter for MIL2B and friends to come to wedding in USA... need h
« Reply #22 on: December 12, 2007, 06:09:34 PM »
MaxxumUSA,

I did the K-3 so it was different, but it seems you are doing this yourself. I hired an immigration attorney to do it all for me. The laws change and I didn't want any goof-ups on my part. Even after your wife gets here, I would still get an attorney. After my wife was here and we were on the last legs of the process, I engaged a conversation with a lady from Mexico trying to get her mom here. She had already gone thru the process with her husband. She asked me if I hired an attorney. She didn't and explained some of the problems she had. I was glad I hired an attorney. I think WilliamIII would agree it's wise to hire an attorney for unknown or anticipated problems.

Mark

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Little late on this thread but this is what I used for two twenty old Ukrainians to come to USA and from first call to embassy to issuance of visa it was 3 weeks.  They hated visit to USA but that is different story. 

I only inserted ???? for phone numbers / last names.  I did copy part of this letter from this board or somewhere else on the internet.

Dear Consular Officer:

My name is Todd ????? and I am writing this letter to humbly request that you review Dmytro ???? and Tetyana ????? petition for a tourist visa.   I am a United States citizen by birth (see attached copy of my passport).

Dima and Tanya would like to visit the Eastern part of the United States including Florida.  I will be spending some time with them during their visit.  I will take full responsibility of them during their stay within the United States.

I met Dima and Tanya while in Sevastopol in November 2006 and May 2007.  They are good friends of myself and my fiance who is currently going through K-1 process. 

Dima and Tanya will pay for all their travel costs to and within the United States.  Dima and Tanya own a home in Sevastopol and both currently have good careers.  They also have a daughter who will not be
travelling with them to the United States.  I have been in their home several times and have met their daughter (Attached is a couple of pictures of us from November 2006). 

I thank you for your attention in this matter and send polite greetings from your homeland.  Please contact me at 414 -????? work or 414-????? cell if you have questions.

Best regards, Todd Booth

Offline Curious_George

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I am not sure whether surrending your passport will do the trick. Technically, if they decide to stay in the US against your advice, how are you liable?  And if you are not liable then you are going to get your passport back.  Maybe, there is an affidavit of support of some kind that you can fill out and promise to provide financial assistance to ensure that they leave the country?

Offline mendeleyev

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This was filed for my MIL's visit for the upcoming wedding of our oldest daughter.  We don't yet know if it will be successful:


 
United States Embassy Officer
Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8
Moscow 121099, Russian Federation
 
Dear Honorable Embassy Officer; 

My name is xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx, and I reside at xxxxxxxxxx Address xxxxxx Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona zip code, USA.  I am a United States citizen (passport #xxxxxxxxxxx).  I am successfully employed as a journalist specializing in the areas of Eastern Europe for the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx media group.

I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to my mother-in-law, (name xxxxxxxxxx/Russian passport #xxxxxxxxxx), in order to allow her to attend the wedding of our oldest daughter in the United States.

Name xxxxxxxxxx owns a home in Moscow, a summer dacha in Volgograd and enjoys a successful career teaching at xxxxxxx University in Moscow.  She has bank accounts at Bank xxxxxxxx.  You will see from her passport that she is well-traveled in Europe and Africa and has faithfully returned to Russia as scheduled at the conclusion of each visit.  The list of her extended family in Russia is extensive and our youngest daughter, currently a student at Moscow State University, lives with her.

She will be visiting with us from (day-month to day-month) for the wedding of our eldest daughter, (name xxxxxxxx, who will be married at xxxxxxxxxxxx Russian Orthodox Church, on Sunday, day-month-year.  Naturally we wish for her to be present at the wedding.

During her stay in the United States, she will stay in my home at the address stated above.  I will bear all responsibilities including, but not limited to, financial responsibilities within the USA, medical care, housing and food.  In addition to bearing all expenses while in the USA, I will personally guarantee that she will return to Russia at the termination of this visit, prior to her visa expiration and will guarantee that she will not become a public charge on the part of the US government.

Upon the termination of her visit she will return to Russia.

She will be presenting this letter to you, together with other evidence to establish her close ties to Russia, and to assure you that she will return prior to the expiration of her stay in the United States.

I respectfully request you to grant this short tourist visa to my mother-in-law.

Very truly yours, 
 
My Name xxxxx
Street Address xxxxxx
City and State and Zip
USA
Telephone number


To this was attached:
- Letter of employment from my company.
- Copy of wedding invitation.
- Listed 2 references:  Our pastor (a Russian Orthodox priest) and a local Congressman.
- Copy of Travelers Health Ins. policy we had purchased for her.


Not being astute all by myself, I used some links we stumbled across as my guide:
 
http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/bvisa/#b2
 
 
http://www.immihelp.com/docs/ltrtoconsulateforb2.html
 
 
http://www.immihelp.com/forms/sample.html
 
« Last Edit: July 02, 2008, 12:08:22 AM by mendeleyev »
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Offline davidbdc

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Each applicant has to stand on his/her own application.  The fact that a US citizen writes an invitation doesn't hurt, but it actually doesn't help too much either.

If the applicant is applying to attend an event, ie Work meeting, sports event, family function, and can prove their attendance, then they stand a good chance of receiving the visa if they can show that either - 1. they have a history of travel outside of Russia, or 2. they have strong ties to their current living situation.

Where you can actually help out is in providing an affidavit of support, form I-134.  This will show your ability to receive, maintain and support the person applying for the visa.  Your legally responsible for up to three years for the individual should they violate their visa and draw any type of benefits from the USA.  You will be required to get a statement from an officer of your bank stating when you opened your account, amount you deposited in the past year, and the amount you currently have.  You must detail other assets, including stocks and bonds and real estate.  You must also acquire a statement from your employer telling how long you've been with the firm, whether your position is temporary or permanent, and your current salary.

Keep in mind that this only addresses ONE area of consideration.  And realistically you should only provide this if it puts you in a positive light.  If you have more than 500K in real assets without debts then it will be a positive in the applicants favor.  If you have between 300-500K in assets and a steady $50K+ job (ie the same job for more than 5 years), then again it is a positive.  Don't meet those asset/income levels then it probably not going to add to the application.

The applicant still needs to show strong ties to Russia and their current living conditions.  In order of importance - 1. Previous travel outside of Russia (especially if he/she has had Schengen Visa).  2. Ownership of property.  3. Steady employment and Western level income, if with US based Multinational its a very big plus - business ownership can actually work against you if its a small business (ie does it really exist and is it really making money?).  4. Family and other ties to your current community and Russia.  5. Age, less than 30 and single and your starting with two strikes.

You should be very conscious that if your helping someone from say Kazan or Samara or Perm or Chelybinsk type of area that you have a big hurdle to jump over. (I'm not picking on those cities just be aware that it is viewed as almost being two Russia's - St Pete/Moscow and then the rest).

good luck

Offline giants11

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Hey great for the invite I'll be at your wedding.

Cheers!!!

Offline dbneeley

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Someone posted a copy of an invitation letter for a mother in law to visit at the time of the birth of a child, with part of the reasons to "help with the baby" for the first several weeks.

That can be construed -- and *is* so construed by some consular officials -- as "work" and thus outside of the scope of a tourist visa.

Visiting for the birth of a grandchild is one thing, but I would strongly suggest you don't mention "helping with the baby/household/whatever" in such an invitation letter. You just don't know if the consular officer reviewing the application will hit on that as a reason for rejection or not--so best to leave it out.

With all this business about difficulties getting visas for people to attend the wedding--that simply underscores why I maintain it is often most practical to marry in the FSU to begin with. As I have said before, weddings are more for the bride, and most brides seem to appreciate being married in front of friends and family.

David

Offline Daveman

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... most practical to marry in the FSU to begin with. As I have said before, weddings are more for the bride, and most brides seem to appreciate being married in front of friends and family.

David

kinda  :offtopic:  but I'm too lazy to start another one...

No comment from me on the MIL visa, however, I certainly concur with the sentiment expressed above... the wedding is ALL about the bride and related issues... the guy could be a cardboard cutout placed in various strategic locations throughout the day/ceremony/whatever.  To each his/her own, but to me it makes much more sense to marry in her country and let her have her day in the white gown spotlight with family/friends (especially so if her first marriage, perhaps not as important for a second, but don't kid yourself about it either way, they start "planning" this cra... er... special day at about age 12 or so and you are merely the last piece of the wedding day puzzle to be inserted into the plot to overthrow your sense of importance or even relevance on that particular day  ;D ). 

So, Man up, you K-1 chickens  :evil:  :popcorn:
The duty of a true patriot is to protect his country from its government. -- Thomas Paine

 

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