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galephys

Tourist visa for new immigrant's parents: when to apply?

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My husband is almost done with his immigration (CR1 is under review for sensitive work field). We would like his parents to visit, but unsure what's the best strategy.

Generally it's good to have a few visas to other countries, good jobs and property in home country. His parents don't like to travel much, so far we only convinced them to visit Greece, working on sending them to France or Czech Republic this year. They live in Russia, they are both past retirement age, but still working at the same jobs for many years. They have cars, houses and land, they have savings and a decent income. Their entire family, including an older son and grandchildren live in Russia too, they see each other very often. My husband is the only odd one who is about to move :)

Our options for their visa are:

1. Apply now, while the case is pending, have "sightseeing" as a purpose for the trip. I am not sure, if their son is not in the US, do they have to mention their daughter in law is? This is the shakiest idea in my mind.

2. Wait for my husband's visa to be approved, then list him in the application and have a purpose of the trip "to see where their son will live" because it's the first time he is in a different city from them and they are worried. Plan to go as soon as he moves.

3. Get a visa to a European country this year, visit and come back, then plan a trip to the US next Summer. Same thing: their son moved, they want to see how he lives now. Difference from #2 is an extra visa and a trip.

4. Apply for a visa separately - first one parent visits, then another. It gives an extra tie to the home country, but doesn't make much sense because they don't have a good reason not to travel together. It may seem odd to CO.

What are the chances with idea #2? His parents really don't like to travel, but if they get denied the first time, they will get discouraged and will not apply again for a very long time :( Also his mother wants to retire and plans to do so every year. I am concerned if she applies for a visa after she retires, chances to be denied are higher.

What would you advise to do?

My immigration journey

July 2009 - F1 student PhD program

AOS
June 2010 - married USC

August 2010 - sent I-130 and I-485

December 2010 - CGC received.
December 2010 - ex-husband got crazy
May 2011 - separated
November 2012 - divorced!!

I-751 waiver

October 13 - filed I-751 waiver by myself
November 28 - BIO & InfoPass to submit a divorce decree

December 2012 - CGC expires

May 3 2013 - RFE received, asked for a divorce decree (haha) and address clarification + more evidence

July 6 2013 - RFE mailed and received

September 2013 - InfoPass, passport stamped to extend my status

November 2013 - Finally an interview is scheduled
December 12 2013 - Interview. Approved without any questions, passport stamped. Same officer who did my initial interview (I was told "I saw it coming, don't give up on love" :) )

December 27 2013 - Card received, too bad I was overseas

January 2014 US entry, special screening, but admitted instantly once I got to speak to the officer. It's a standard procedure if no valid GC on hand.

July 2015 - MARRIED in Russia

N-400

October 2015 - N-400 sent

February 2016 - interview and test

March 2015: USC!

DCF for my husband

April 2016: InfoPass to file I-130 in Moscow, approved on the same day.

May 2016: DS-260 interview - AP for "dangerous" work field

July 2016: visa issued! 59 days in AP.

May 2018: filed I-751 

June 2018: 18 months extension received

I traveled all over the world in the meantime, no problems with visas and entries, occasionally some explaining and more documents to haul around.

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1. NEVER lie or withhold information during an interview if asked. Really there is no reason for them to try to hide the fact that they want to visit their son.

2. Your husband's visa has nothing to do with with his parent's. They must apply on their own merits. They can apply tomorrow if they want. No need to wait. Plenty of people put "To visit family and friends" as their purpose.

3. Travel history is good for applicants. His parents already show good strong ties.

4. The parents applies separately regardless. Be warned, there are cases where one parent was approved and the other wasn't.

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

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1. That's obvious. What I am referring to is a specific question in the application which asks if they have relatives in the US. I am not sure I am considered a relative, because I am "in law", not blood relative.

2. But they don't know anyone in the US aside from me, and why would they go visit me when my husband, their son, is still with them?

It is clear that they will need to say they want a visa because they want to visit their son, who is in the process of immigrating. What I am concerned about is if it will seems strange to the CO that they are applying so early, when their son did not move yet. Also if their reason for a visit is their son, it may look strange that they don't list him as a relative in the US on the application... even though it is true: at the time of application his CR-1 is pending or even approved, but he did not move yet and is not in the US.

4. I mean separately and spread out in time with no intentions to travel together: one applies this year and visits alone, other one applies next year and visits alone. Basically in my mind if they apply and intend to travel together, the officer may think they can just stay, while if they are traveling separately they are less likely to unlawfully immigrate.

My immigration journey

July 2009 - F1 student PhD program

AOS
June 2010 - married USC

August 2010 - sent I-130 and I-485

December 2010 - CGC received.
December 2010 - ex-husband got crazy
May 2011 - separated
November 2012 - divorced!!

I-751 waiver

October 13 - filed I-751 waiver by myself
November 28 - BIO & InfoPass to submit a divorce decree

December 2012 - CGC expires

May 3 2013 - RFE received, asked for a divorce decree (haha) and address clarification + more evidence

July 6 2013 - RFE mailed and received

September 2013 - InfoPass, passport stamped to extend my status

November 2013 - Finally an interview is scheduled
December 12 2013 - Interview. Approved without any questions, passport stamped. Same officer who did my initial interview (I was told "I saw it coming, don't give up on love" :) )

December 27 2013 - Card received, too bad I was overseas

January 2014 US entry, special screening, but admitted instantly once I got to speak to the officer. It's a standard procedure if no valid GC on hand.

July 2015 - MARRIED in Russia

N-400

October 2015 - N-400 sent

February 2016 - interview and test

March 2015: USC!

DCF for my husband

April 2016: InfoPass to file I-130 in Moscow, approved on the same day.

May 2016: DS-260 interview - AP for "dangerous" work field

July 2016: visa issued! 59 days in AP.

May 2018: filed I-751 

June 2018: 18 months extension received

I traveled all over the world in the meantime, no problems with visas and entries, occasionally some explaining and more documents to haul around.

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