MIL coming to see granddaughter; Visa questions...

[Simoni]

With our baby daughter coming next month, it's time for MIL to make her first trip to the US.

Marina does NOT want her here at first, so we are aiming for summer.

The first step is done; MIL has already received her international passport.

What do we need to do to get her a visa to the US to visit?  We have heard mixed things about needing or not needing letters of support?

What is the time frame?  She is from Ukraine

Many thanks,

~Si

[pitbull]

Hi Simoni,

There are several very informative threads on this topic on russian-fiancee.  Will not post a link here, not sure if this is allowed.

I'm having the same issue, just my mom is not from Ukraine.

Please let us know how it goes 

Good luck

[Admin]

With our baby daughter coming next month, it's time for MIL to make her first trip to the US.

Marina does NOT want her here at first, so we are aiming for summer.

The first step is done; MIL has already received her international passport.

What do we need to do to get her a visa to the US to visit?  We have heard mixed things about needing or not needing letters of support?

What is the time frame?  She is from Ukraine

Many thanks,

~Si

We have some experience with this - some of it dated, and some quite recent.

In terms of the process we employed, for my MIL, we sent the attached letter, and my MIL presented it at her interview. It must have worked, because she was granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa at the first try. That was in 2003.

And BTW - Olya and I were also trying to time my MIL's arrival to be just prior to the baby's arrival. We did not anticipate the need to induce some days early. Long story short - a friend of ours had to pick up my MIL from the airport and drove her straight from the airport late at night to the delivery room. Olya had already been in labor for nearly a day, and when my MIL arrived, I immediately drafted her into delivery room duty - sharing in the breathing counting exercises (in both Russian and English, BTW). Less than 2 hours after my MIL arrived in the US, she welcomed her granddaughter into the world. It was quite in introduction to the US.

My MIL is now on her 2nd 5-year multiple-entry visa.

Anyway - fast forward to 18 months ago. We finally convinced my FIL to take a visit, and he too used the attached cover letter with identical results.

Now, not to think this is fool-proof, this past November we tried the same thing with my BIL, and walked into a block wall, with a summary visa denial.

We responded with a VERY large amount of information (reference the list of attachments) and attacked it from every known political angle. At the time of the letter, there were outgoing Congressmen/Senators as well as new appointees to Obama's administration that were being seated. Anyway, we copied everyone - and as chance would have it, I sat next to Mark Udall's brother, with Udall a few rows back, on a plane to DC the same week we sent the letter. Udall's staff has been extraordinarily helpful, and we went from a visa denial in November to a visa approval in January.

Anyway - I hope these help.

- Dan

[Simoni]

Thanks, Dan!  That is exactly what I was looking for.

We'll get it moving.

But I do want to time it so MIL does not have to stand outside the embassy in Kiev in sleet or snow for 6 hours as Marina had to do.

~Si

[ConnerVT]

My $0.02, having successfully navigated these waters myself, and helping a good friend here in VT --

What it ultimately comes down to is whether the person interviewing the applicant believes that they will leave the USA in accordance of the terms of their visa.  No matter what support you give, the burden falls mainly on the applicant.

Documents that support that they will not remain in the USA include ownership of property, family remaining in their home country, work history (and prestige of the job held), previous travel history.  An invitation by you, stating that you will be supporting their travel and living expenses while in the USA, along with a notarized Affidavit of Support (I-134) certainly doesn't hurt.

I would down play the fact that there is a new baby, as many would see her travel to the USA as potential for her to remain (past her visa limits) as family supported child care.

[solibaby]

This is good information, thanks!

[Simoni]

Thanks, ConnerVT.

************************************

I'd like to know more about what others think about Conner's thoughts of NOT sharing that there is a new grandchild to visit?

He may have a point.  But then again, it seems such a logical reason to come.

What do others say?

[Admin]

Thanks, ConnerVT.

************************************

I'd like to know more about what others think about Conner's thoughts of NOT sharing that there is a new grandchild to visit?

He may have a point.  But then again, it seems such a logical reason to come.

What do others say?

From what we have been able to piece together from the various interviews, the Consular Officer is FAR more interested in those conditions that bind the person to their home country, than they are in what the person plans to do with their visit to the US.

Having said that, I suspect there are some 'red flags' the Consular Officer looks for during the interview that would trigger a decline - but for a MIL coming to visit her daughter and new husband, I doubt there is much to raise their hackles.

In our case, with the MIL, we definitely *did* state that Olya was pregnant and her anticipated delivery date, and that we wanted the additional help to care for a newborn. At that time in 2003, it went through OK, but I also see Conner's POV that it might be best to downplay that angle.

This is what is so frustrating about the process. It all comes down to one person sitting on the other side of a bullet-proof window, rendering judgment based on the thinnest of information, and subject to the same human frailties the rest of us are. If they are having a bad day, it can result in a denial for any reason, or no reason whatsoever. We think that is what happened to the BIL. Fortunately, there is some recourse - and for the cost of a 2nd visa application, we were successful. Let's hope they don't put you guys through that and your MIL is successful with her first pass through.

Good luck,

- Dan

[ConnerVT]

I think this may be the right attitude:

See daughter's new home and new grandchild - Wonderful.

Help daughter changing dirty diapers - Glad that now I'm a grandmother.  It's my daughter's turn   

The best advice for all consulate interviews is to be honest, be positive, and be prepared.

[Simoni]

Help daughter changing dirty diapers - Glad that now I'm a grandmother.  It's my daughter's turn   

The best advice for all consulate interviews is to be honest, be positive, and be prepared.

Priceless! :-)

Thanks for the good advice; we'll get the support documents (ownership of flat; ownership of country home; documentation of job, etc. in order.

Honesty will not be a problem.  She loves Ukraine and harbors soviet day mentality toward the US.  It's like pulling teeth to get her to come visit :-)  No way she would want to stay more than 6-8 weeks.

[Simoni]

First Connor, then Jet.

Both caught a natural mistake I would have made...it made sense that MIL should come see her new grandchild...

Jet wrote me "I would also NOT mention the baby (more often than not, the visa is "not approved" when this is revealed - she's coming for a visit, period.)"

This board has value to men in many stages, and not just the "find the girl" stage.

Thanks, guys!

[Simoni]

I'll share an update on what I have been learning on how to best proceed.

I was surprised to have several veteran members here caution me about mentioning that MIL was coming to see her grandchild.
It seems to make sense that this would be a legit reason to visit.  But in the area of visas, logic is not the best route.

I also talked to a professor from here who is from Turkey.  He works a lot with people on getting through the process and getting green cards.  His advice was also no; don't even mention a child.    That is code that says MIL will STAY here to be with and take care of the baby.

This morning I wrote a close friend here in town who is married to a UA girl.  His MIL is here now.  I asked his opinion, and he wrote that is his letter stated that the MIL was coming to see the new grandbaby.  Her visa was approved for 5 years.

So, mixed advice.  My take is that I will make sure she has documents showing ownership of property and that she is employed.  My letter will say she is coming to see where her daughter and grandchild live, but can only stay 8 weeks due to her job responsibility in Ukraine.

[Vaughn]

My take is that I will make sure she has documents showing ownership of property and that she is employed.

Those items cover cultural and financial ties - do not neglect the familial ties they will scrutinize also.

Here is the "short list" as recommended to me by a Congressional office about a year ago...

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.
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?

Some items may seem like overkill, but once you've been denied as we were with my SIL, you
tend toward thoroughness. Si, I wish you luck as you approach new parenthood.

Vaughn

 

[Simoni]

Some items may seem like overkill, but once you've been denied as we were with my SIL, you
tend toward thoroughness.

Si, I wish you luck as you approach new parenthood.

Thanks, Vaughn!

[Simoni]

I came across this excellent post in the "Experienced" section.  Since it is about the visa, I'll share it here...

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

[buckterp]

Hi. Got married in Dec. and want to begin planning a trip for MIL to visit us. My wife's parents live near Volgograd. Three questions: 1) Will my MIL need to travel to Moscow for an interview for her US visa? 2) If so, how long will she need to remain in Moscow until she receives the visa? 3) How long does the entire visa process take?

Thanks 

[Vaughn]

Yeah, she'll have to travel to Moscow. For our MIL, she was approved at interview time, but the actual
visa was mailed to her home, about a week later. The whole process (done on two occasions) runs about
4-5 weeks from start to finish.

Start here, and note that all pages are RU or ENG - you can provide your MIL with RU versions so she
will have a handle on the process...There's a Pony Express Center and a branch office as well in Volgagrad,
and if her experience mirrors my MILs, she will find them helpful in completing all forms correctly.

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/nivapplying.html

Best wishes.

Vaughn

[Simoni]

Today my MIL got her visa.

Many thanks to all those who gave advice, with an extra thank you to Dan and WilliamIII.  And also Patrick, a non-RWDer whose MIL is from the same town as Marina, and who had navigated these visa waters.

We basically modified Dan's letter, using the advice of William and Patrick.

MIL had an early appointment.  She was number one in line and was out in an hour.

Based upon feedback here at RWD, our letter of invitation did mention our new daughter, but just in passing.  The agent did look MIL in the eye and said "Between me and you, are you really going there to stay and take care of the grandbaby?"  MIL truthfully told him "NO!"

I'm getting excited about some good eats around the house this summer