Has anyone's relative got a tourist visa recently?What kind of questions were they asked?

My sister-in-law was issued a 90 day visitor visa in Dec. through the consul in Vladivostok. She was asked some pretty basic stuff:

Why do you want to go to the U.S. and what are you going to do while you're there?

When do you plan on going and how long will you stay?

Who are you going to see?

When and why are you going to come back to Russia?

She said it was like a two minute process from start to finish. Small talk, really. "Blah, blah, blah..... approved!"

(The application she submitted was filled out for the purpose of a holiday visit and she stuck with that story at the interview.)

Slim, is she married? Does she have kids? These questions are important because Russians have to prove that they won't stay here, thay we'll go back to Russia.

Only a 90 day visa? That is interesting. Because the website says if you do get a visa it will be the 1 year kind. Strange, thanks for the update.
"Russian citizens applying for tourist visas, in nearly all cases, receive visas valid for one year. However, they may ask for a visa valid for two years. If the visa is approved, the applicant must pay an additional $100 at that time in order to receive the visa valid for two years."
http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/consular....ecord_id=nivfaq
But Vladivostok does not mention this answer to a FAQ the way Moscow and Yekaterinburg do.

10 years is the norm for a B2.

Shorter periods are unusual, may be the norm in Russia. Ocassionally you see single entry.

She is not married and has no kids. She is not employed and does not own a car but does own a flat. No other significant assets or income. The only actual "money" listed for her trip was on my I-134 sponsorship info and proof of ownership for her flat. She has worked in Asia several times and used this money to support herself upon return to Russia. Maybe that helped, maybe it didn't, I don't think it was even addressed at the interview.

When I filled out the visa petition for her (DS-156) I listed her occupation as a student at a local university in her city. Where it said purpose of trip and duration of stay I listed "to visit LPR sister and family for holidays" or something to that effect.

When she went to the interview, she took registration documents from the university, proof of ownership of her flat and the responses to the interview questions were along the lines of "I want to visit my sister and brother-in-law and spend a little time with them over the holidays and then I have to come back and go back to school."

I previously thought it would be impossible for her to get a visitor visa as the common concensus is young, unmarried women are NEVER issued visitor visas unless they have some very strong ties to go back. However, after hearing a few cases of visas being issued recently (and her getting one, obviously!) I know it's not impossible. As to why she got one when it's been traditionally so hard for other women I believe there are several reasons (and this is just slim theorizing, not USCIS gospel or anything) a few of which are:

1. She has a valid reason to go to the U.S. and then go home. "Go see my sister then come back and study."

2. She has a permanent home in Russia. "Here is the ownership paper for my flat... that I live in."

3. She fits the profile of someone who has an active life in their home country and therefore no need (or desire) to come to the U.S. and become a public charge.

4. She has visited several other countries (often with "nicer" financial situations than Russia) and returned home with no visa issues.

5. I filled out her visa petition and my financial support documents in a way to clearly illustrate the intended purpose of her trip and her intention to go home. (So they were filled out by someone with a good understanding of English who was able to prove financial responsibility for the intending visitor... who had previously petitioned for and complied with visa regulations and procedures for sponsoring their relative.)

6. Word around the campfire in Vladivostok was there was a new C/O who was "soft" on issuing visas to anyone provided they got them in for the holidays.

Now, is any of this true or is it the reason the visa was issued? I don't know and I won't be saying "this is why she got it for sure" but I will say I simply put myself in the C/O's shoes and asked myself if I was looking at her petition did I see a girl that wanted to go to and stay in the U.S. or did I see a girl that wanted to go see her sister and then come back to her normal life? That's the picture we painted and that's what the visa was issued based on. Supporting facts around the case were - here's a girl with a pretty decent life already who wants to visit a family member (that has decent money) for a set period of time and then she wants to get on with her life AT HOME.

Connect the dots. They want to see a certain petitioner. I think now the "Russian girls don't get visitor visas" myth is true in one aspect and completely untrue in another. Russian girls with no job who are trying to take a $5,000 visit to the U.S. to "sightsee" and don't have a financial sponsor, don't have a purpose in the U.S. and who only have a mom or dad back in Russia to come home to, they're not issued visas because they are, most likely, coming to the U.S. to meet a guy or gain some type of employment and could possibly stay forever, both of which are not valid reasons to get a visitor visa. However, those that are trully coming to visit family and the family is willing to provide financial sponsorship, that shows the C/O that maybe the young, unmarried girl simply misses her family member but doesn't necessarily share their views of marrying an American husband and will most likely visit, then go home.

I also believe the "sponsorship" packet that you send to them is crucial in visa issuance. Even though it's "their" petition for a visa, it's really "your" petition for them to come visit you for a while.... and then go home!




Actually, I'm unaware as to the expiration of visa after entry. I know it must be used within 90 days of issuance however after asking my wife several times about this she said she's not sure becuase they never really talked about it, only that she has to come here within the next 90 days. It very well could be a one year, single entry visa (and probably is) but I'm not 100% sure as I haven't actually talked to my sister-in-law about it.

Like I said before, if they issue a tourist visa at all it is generally good for one year and is multi entry. And once you do enter, the POE usually grants 6 months of authorized stay. The visa typically begins on the date of the interview and expires one year from that day. Usually giving the bearer almost a year to enter.

Slim, thanks a lot for your thoughtful and detailed explanation. It was lots of work, lots of typing. I'm really grateful and really appreciate it.
You used a right approach when you were prepearing for your sister-in- law's interview. You did everything thoroughly and took into account different detailes. I'm impressed.

As far as I know, and this is hearing only my wife relating what her sister told her, the visa must be used before sometime in March (which would be 90 days after issuance) and I haven't heard anything (positive or speculative) on the duration of authorized stay or number of entries.

She's planning on visiting soon, so I should know within a few weeks. I'll be sure to update.



You're welcome. That's why we're here on VJ. I learned so much from being on here and attribute being married to my wife right now because of the good people in this forum. My only hope is I can give something back to someone so they can enjoy the success of the VJ process and spend time with their loved ones as well.

As for it being thoughtful and a lot of work and a lot of typing...... I spent several years working for Uncle Sam and filling out so many forms that I lost count. I learned that there's a certain way govt. forms are supposed to look and to the people looking over hundreds or thousands of forms, it's really a joy to get one that's "perfect." Get yours as close to perfect as possible (or just make their day easier!) and they're way more likely to approve it.

If you're interested, you can PM me with your situational details and we could go over a few things that could increase your probability for success. I'm not saying I can guarantee your relative will get approved, but I can say if you follow the guides and suggestions here on VJ you will increase your chances for success. I have proof of that sitting here with me every day... and more proof on the way!



I wish my wife was also impressed by my VJ addiction. The thanks I get from her is "you again waste your time on Visa Journey blat?"

You're pretty close, Satellite. I confirmed it with her a few days ago (forgot to update) and it is a one year, single entry visa that expires one year from the date of issuance. It has to be used within 90 days or it's voided. (Unsure how that works, I'll have to check it out once she gets here.)

Still planning/preping the trip. Will update a little more after her arrival.

Slim, here is a link to a sample US visa.
http://www.antiscam.net/marina_smyrnova/ma...ova_visa_b2.jpg
I just did a google search for one, and it just happen to come from this website. Anyway, are you sure under entries it says "1" instead of "M". And where is the 90 days to use notation, down at the bottom as a special note? This visa I image I posted, actually is only good for 90 days but it was issued in 2005, so the rules might have been different then. Your sister-in-laws as you pointed out expires in exactly on year.
Just curious.

We did kind of a 3rd party phone conversation through my wife. I wrote down a few things and had her write the answers down and tell me what her sister was saying. From what I could gather there was a number 1 under the entries section. I asked her to ask "number of entries authorized" and she wrote down the number 1. I asked for the issue and expiration date and it was sometime in December until one year later in December. When I asked about the 90 days thing she just shook her head and said yes.

I was more concerned with "when's she coming, for how long, what's she going to do while she's here, who's going to pay for it all, etc." than the actual details fo the visa. I'm curious too but since they're not "VJ junkies" like us, I'll have to wait until she actually gets here to find out. After her arrival, I'll take a look at it and post details.

have to have invitaton and ticket and show funds in acct to travel

There is no U.S. tourist visa actually. It is called a visitor's visa for pleasure. While the eligibility criteria for this visa sounds pretty clear and simple, people have a lot of difficulty and confusion understanding and accepting it...

In order to be found eligible for a B-2 nonimmigrant visitor for pleasure, applicant must prove that they qualify strictly according to the following criteria: An alien having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning and who is visiting the United States temporarily for pleasure.

Under the immigrant intent presumption of INA 214( b ), every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant (requiring an immigrant visa) until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status.

So, digesting that:

(1) Applicant must have a residence abroad. This is a basic and fundamental requirement.

(2) The applicant convincingly, by a preponderance of evidence, will not abandon the residence abroad.

(3) The purpose of the trip is a visit for pleasure. (invitation letter typically for family visits)

(4) The visit is temporary in nature and contemplated duration.

(5) The applicant is generally admissable to the U.S. and not likely to become a public charge or overstay the 6-month period of admission.

Compelling ties (a combination of family & economic) to the residence abroad are normally required to show that not likely the applicant intends to abandon the residence abroad and meets these criteria. Any existing compelling ties to the U.S. are normally are weighed against the compelling ties to the residence abroad in rendering the decision.

There is no appeal or further review of the decision available, however the applicant may re-apply as often as they like to have any new evidence considered. Each case is individually decided based on the individual's unique situation and circumstances.

slim,

Where did you get the idea to do an I-134 for a B visa? It sounds like a good idea, and I guess that it certainly must have helped your sister-in-law's case. Tania wants to have her daughter (21 years old) here for our wedding, and I'm looking ahead as to how best to make that happen. To her daughter's advantage, she has been to the U.S. each of the past two summers as part of a student work/travel program. I believe that she had a J visa for those visits.

By the way, is your wife from Vladivostok?

Thanks,

Don

Don't really think the I-134 had much to do with his approval. Suppose it could be accepted as an attachment to the invitation. The issue with using it is that it suggests the person may actually be in the U.S. for a long time.

Someone who has been in U.S. before and returned abroad is in very good shape to get a visitor's visa.

Yeah, I think I understand what you're saying and would tend to agree. I would think that not having to offer any financial support would help the visa applicant's case. I'm still curious as to why slim seemed to believe that the I-134 helped his sister-in-law's case. I would think that, with a well written letter of invitation and with two previous visits to the U.S. (and returns) with no issues, the likelihood of Tania's daughter getting a visitor visa is really good. Thanks for the reply, Chris.

Because it shows that I have the resources to support my visitor while they're here, and more importantly, to send them back home!

The approval of the visa lies not on their "record" of coming to the U.S. or going to other "rich" countries and then returning, it rests on their need to come to the U.S. and their need to go home when finished. Having previous entries to the U.S. signifies nothing, especially if they were here on a student visa. Maybe now that they're all done with school (and have visited the U.S. a few times to scout it out) they're going to move here using a visitor visa.

Contrast that with something like "here's my daughter-in-law who has a husband back home, a good job and a house to return to. She's coming here to go to my wedding and then back home. I'll support her if need be but she's going to support herself."

Sounds like a valid reason to visit (and then go home!) doesn't it?

And what is this "invitation letter" that I keep hearing about?

How?

An I-134 suggest there is a financial problem, best avoided, a document of last resort and it of course is not legally enforcable anyway.

Maybe not, but to an issuing official, someone who is trying to determine if the person sitting before them is going to the U.S. for a visit or to immigrate, it may paint the picture that the person they're going to visit in the U.S. (who is credible based on past compliance with visa regulations and procedures) is saying "hey, I understand this system, have done it before, and now, I want the person sitting before you to come visit me. See, I make enough money. It won't be a problem."

This is where doing the DS-156 also comes in. If you, the USC, are doing both, then the issuing official can see that you're the one that actually "invited" the person to come visit you, not the other way around.

Thanks for the reply, but I'll admit that I still don't follow all of your logic. Maybe I'm just slow. I thought that it was most important to show ties to the homeland, and that would include family, property, jobs, money, etc. If the applicant can't demonstrate sufficient resources to make the trip (and return) without support from someone in the U.S., I guess I don't understand how that really helps the case. Maybe it is viewed as just another resource (albeit in the U.S.) available to the applicant and maybe you're right.

Granted, each visa application has to stand on it's own merit, but I still believe that if the applicant has a (good) history of receiving visas and complying with the terms of those visas that it will be to the applicant's advantage. I know that I've read DOS guidance on visa applications which clearly states that if a visa applicant has recently (I believe in the past year) received a similar visa, the applicant won't (or at least may not) require an interview.

In any event, I appreciate you sharing your experience and thoughts, and thanks for taking the time to reply!

I absolutely agree with you, Don.

I guess what I'm saying is, as you said, I'm just providing "my side" of it, and that is the validity of visiting. So that covers only the "why I want to visit the U.S." side of the applicant's petition.

It's definitely a burden on them to establish ties to the homeland and a valid reason to go back. (And yes, past "visits" can't hurt!)

This information is directly off of the Moscow Embassy's website....

"Temporary Business or Tourism (
For those persons going to the U.S. on tourism, please indicate where you will be staying. If you are visiting friends, please feel free to bring correspondence or letters of invitation from them. PLEASE do NOT bring a notarized form or letter to this effect. The consular officer may ask how you met the person you are visiting. If you are visiting family, please indicate the inviting person's relationship to you and indicate whether that person is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (i.e. bearer of a U.S. green card), or nonimmigrant in the U.S. on a work or student visa.

Individuals applying for business visas should be prepared to explain what kind of business trip they are making. For those persons visiting business contacts or clients, please bring correspondence that explains the nature of the trip. If you choose to include an invitation letter with your visa application, it is not necessary that it be notarized."

"Supporting Documents

Documents that provide evidence of the applicant’s social, economic, and/or family ties to Russia, as well as correspondence from relatives or business associates you plan to visit, may facilitate the consular officer’s decision. Some examples of documents that may be helpful include:

Evidence of employment. A letter from your employer can be useful.
Evidence of income (and in some cases evidence of your spouse's income), such as earnings statements.
Evidence of immediate family (spouse, children) in Russia.
Evidence of ownership of property.
Evidence of ongoing studies if applicant is still a student.
Evidence of ongoing projects for those in entertainment fields.
Your old passport bearing earlier visas and entry stamps indicating the date on which you returned to Russia (for those who have traveled to the U.S. previously).




Good discussion! Thanks alot!

If you fill out the DS-156 for them and list yourself as the person completing the form, then that pretty much makes it your invitation letter. There is a spot for "reason for travel" and "whom will you visit" and "relationship" or something to that effect. When you fill all of that in yourself, you're signing the end saying to the embassy "Hey look, I filled all this out for my visitor, Sisterova."

Coupled with the I-134, you're basically assembling an "invitation packet" for them.