How to sponsor a visitor visa to US for a family member

[Greggy 0]

I am a US citizen and would like my cousin to be able to visit me in the US sometime in the summer/fall but not sure If I should just tell him to apply for a visitors (B1) visa or if there is a process I can initiate on my end to improve his chances o getting the visa.

Looking through the forum, what I may be looking for is the Affidavit of Support Form I-134. If so, do I just fill out the form, mail it to my cousin and tell him to apply for the B! visa as he would normally do? Are there other steps or documents I would need to gather?

BTW, he currently does not live in the country where he is a citizen of so would he have to go back to that country or could he apply for the B1 visa from the country where he is currently residing and going to school in?

Thanks!

Greg

[aleful 1,905]

hi

you don't

he must apply and qualify on his own

[Boiler 43,392]

B2?

Where is he and what is his status in that country.

[Greggy 0]

I followed up and, not sure if it will be helpful but, found out he has a Residence Permit (EST) in Estonia for studies. He also has a similar temporary residence in Greece now where is is able to work.

So besides the Affidavit of Support Form I-134 that I would send him, isn't their some formal invitation letter that needs to be given as well. I just find it strange that this form (AI-134) does not state how long you would like the person to visit you for and for how long you are willing to support them.

Thanks!

[az2014 381]

You are getting confused.

Forget the 134 or any other form or letter that you think you need to send. He is applying for a tourist visa, these things are irrelevant.

Tell him to go to the US consulate website for the country he is residing in and follow the instructions to apply for a B2 visa. You do absolutely nothing.

[Darnell 8,478]

How to sponsor a visitor visa to US for a family member

I wasn't aware this was possible - have you read anywhere that is was? if yes, please post the url (not the content) and we'll vette the info for you.

[KierenHby 897]

If a legal resident of Estonia, he applies with the USEmb in Tallinn.

He applies on his own.. all you do is pick him up at the airport once he has a visa.

[MacUK 983]

How to sponsor a visitor visa to US for a family member

I wasn't aware this was possible - have you read anywhere that is was? if yes, please post the url (not the content) and we'll vette the info for you.

I've seen it on another site, no wonder people get the idea that tourist visas can be sorted out from the US side.

http://www[dot]***removed***[dot]com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html

Edited June 22, 2015 by MacUK

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I googled I-134 and visitors visa lots of info saying to use it. News to me

[Boiler 43,392]

I've seen it on another site, no wonder people get the idea that tourist visas can be sorted out from the US side.

http://www[dot]***removed***[dot]com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html

That site is Indian focused, they have a forum as well. Lots of odd questions and very few answers.

Most seem to be here on H1b's and want parents to visit. So a very specific segment. Even they put 'sponsor' in quotation marks, they mean pay for the trip.

[Boiler 43,392]

Just looked on their forum and last post on the subject:

First of all, the I-134 is not a requirement for a tourist visa. It is not legally enforceable and is seldom asked for by the consular officer. One carries the I-134 to the interview more as a backup. The primary documentation you should provide to your parents is:

(a) Letter from you addressed to the consulate stating that you will bear all their costs.
(b) Letter from your company stating you are a full time employee citing your date of employment and annual salary.
© Copies of your payslips for the past 3 months.
(d) Last 3 months bank statements.

If you own a business you can provide appropriate documentation to that effect.

[Greggy 0]

Here is the information I read about sponsoring visitor visas: http://www.***removed***/visitor-visa/affidavit-of-support-form-134-tips.html

Also, here is some info on writing a visa letter of invitation: http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/how-when-write-visa-letter-of-invitation.html

Of course neither are required for someone to be able to get a visa but it sounds like this helps a lot if a citizen is willing to vouch for someone that they will return to their home and not be a burden.

[MacUK 983]

Of course neither are required for someone to be able to get a visa but it sounds like this helps a lot if a citizen is willing to vouch for someone that they will return to their home and not be a burden.

Think about it logically though.

An I-134 has nothing to do with tourists and is not legally enforcible so it does nothing to show that a prospective tourist won't be a burden. It shows that the person filling it in has X amount of funds but it doesn't guarantee that that person will cover all costs of the tourist.

As for proof the tourist will return home, how exactly can you GUARANTEE that a tourist will leave at the end of their visit?

Unless you plan to physically carry them on to the plane and restrain them in their seat until the plane leaves then you can't guarantee they'll leave!

You can vouch that you believe that they will leave, even swear an affidavit stating that you will not shelter them or fund their trip past a certain date but none of that is PROOF that they will leave.

It truly is down to the tourist themself to provide their own reasons for returning home and convince their interviewing officer that they will do so.

No matter how much you'd like to help them, there is very little you can do or provide that would improve their chances of approval.

[Greggy 0]

Think about it logically though.

An I-134 has nothing to do with tourists and is not legally enforcible so it does nothing to show that a prospective tourist won't be a burden. It shows that the person filling it in has X amount of funds but it doesn't guarantee that that person will cover all costs of the tourist.

As for proof the tourist will return home, how exactly can you GUARANTEE that a tourist will leave at the end of their visit?

Unless you plan to physically carry them on to the plane and restrain them in their seat until the plane leaves then you can't guarantee they'll leave!

You can vouch that you believe that they will leave, even swear an affidavit stating that you will not shelter them or fund their trip past a certain date but none of that is PROOF that they will leave.

It truly is down to the tourist themself to provide their own reasons for returning home and convince their interviewing officer that they will do so.

No matter how much you'd like to help them, there is very little you can do or provide that would improve their chances of approval.

Again.. of course it's not going to be the deciding factor, but it will have some leverage. Saying that you have a billion dollar business and 10 children is also not a GUARANTEE that you will return.

[Boiler 43,392]

Guarantees are not requited.

But is it normal for people going on vacation to pay their own way?