Question on bringing married sister and her daughter for visit

[smohl 0]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any recent experience with obtaining a tourist visa for family members from the Consulate in St Pete? The situation is....my wife became a U.S. citizen last year (Russian by birth). Her sister is married with 10 year old child living in St Pete. Long time gainfully employed at same place, owns flat with husband, etc. She was here (and left on time) by herself on a Tourist Visa back in 2005. My wife is graduating an MBA program in August and we would love for both her sister and niece to be here for graduation. We realize that trying to bring the whole family is just really not possible. We also feel that the sister getting another visa by herself would not be a problem. However, we are concerned that she risks being denied if she tries to bring her daughter with her and we don't want to get a mark on her record. So, does anyone have any recent similar experience that they can share with us? Thanks very much in advance.....

[chili74 0]

I don't see any harm inviting them for a visit!

[LoveMyTico 999]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any recent experience with obtaining a tourist visa for family members from the Consulate in St Pete? The situation is....my wife became a U.S. citizen last year (Russian by birth). Her sister is married with 10 year old child living in St Pete. Long time gainfully employed at same place, owns flat with husband, etc. She was here (and left on time) by herself on a Tourist Visa back in 2005. My wife is graduating an MBA program in August and we would love for both her sister and niece to be here for graduation. We realize that trying to bring the whole family is just really not possible. We also feel that the sister getting another visa by herself would not be a problem. However, we are concerned that she risks being denied if she tries to bring her daughter with her and we don't want to get a mark on her record. So, does anyone have any recent similar experience that they can share with us? Thanks very much in advance.....

Aren't the Visas good for 10 years? As long as you don't overstay ?

[GiGii 4]

There are one time entry visa's (usually 1 year validity), and 10yr multiple entry visa's.

[LoveMyTico 999]

There are one time entry visa's (usually 1 year validity), and 10yr multiple entry visa's.

AHHH ok. what happens if you overstay on any visa and you are working illegally? will they deport you? or do they slap you on the wrist and tell you to lie low ?

[mox 298]

AHHH ok. what happens if you overstay on any visa and you are working illegally? will they deport you? or do they slap you on the wrist and tell you to lie low ?

The overstay penalties are actually very hefty. Do a search around VJ for the specifics, but basically if they overstay their visa they could be looking at multi-year and even permenant bans from future entries. I don't know what the penalties are for working illegally, but gone are the days of hand slapping. They take overstays pretty serious these days.

[LoveMyTico 999]

AHHH ok. what happens if you overstay on any visa and you are working illegally? will they deport you? or do they slap you on the wrist and tell you to lie low ?

The overstay penalties are actually very hefty. Do a search around VJ for the specifics, but basically if they overstay their visa they could be looking at multi-year and even permenant bans from future entries. I don't know what the penalties are for working illegally, but gone are the days of hand slapping. They take overstays pretty serious these days.

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Edited February 17, 2009 by esposadetucho

[mox 298]

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Where are you hearing that "ICE does nothing," and what do you mean "get away with it?" Do you mean that they aren't caught, or that when they are caught, they are released with a slap on the wrist?

[LoveMyTico 999]

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Where are you hearing that "ICE does nothing," and what do you mean "get away with it?" Do you mean that they aren't caught, or that when they are caught, they are released with a slap on the wrist?

I mean that they aren't caught. they are living all over the place. Everyone knows they are all illegal but nothing is ever done about it.

Edited February 17, 2009 by esposadetucho

[chili74 0]

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Where are you hearing that "ICE does nothing," and what do you mean "get away with it?" Do you mean that they aren't caught, or that when they are caught, they are released with a slap on the wrist?

I mean that they aren't caught. they are living all over the place. Everyone knows they are all illegal but nothing is ever done about it.

None of these replies are pertinent to the question originally asked!

[LoveMyTico 999]

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Where are you hearing that "ICE does nothing," and what do you mean "get away with it?" Do you mean that they aren't caught, or that when they are caught, they are released with a slap on the wrist?

I mean that they aren't caught. they are living all over the place. Everyone knows they are all illegal but nothing is ever done about it.

None of these replies are pertinent to the question originally asked!

ok, and your point is?

[mox 298]

I mean that they aren't caught. they are living all over the place. Everyone knows they are all illegal but nothing is ever done about it.

So what I'm talking about are the penalties for overstaying your visa and then trying to re-enter the country at a later date. Those penalties are very stiff. Illegal immigration is a whole 'nuther topic entirely.

None of these replies are pertinent to the question originally asked!

Welcome to the RU forum. One of the "house rules" we have around here is that when the original question is answered, the thread devolves into other topics of conversation, often to culminate in a discussion about guns, pie, or guns and pie.

[Neonred 3,461]

AHHH ok. what happens if you overstay on any visa and you are working illegally? will they deport you? or do they slap you on the wrist and tell you to lie low ?

The overstay penalties are actually very hefty. Do a search around VJ for the specifics, but basically if they overstay their visa they could be looking at multi-year and even permenant bans from future entries. I don't know what the penalties are for working illegally, but gone are the days of hand slapping. They take overstays pretty serious these days.

Here is an interesting article from my local newspaper dealing with just this issue.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/20...dmitting-he-fa/

[smohl 0]

so why are there so many that get away with it? from what I hear , ICE does nothing.

Where are you hearing that "ICE does nothing," and what do you mean "get away with it?" Do you mean that they aren't caught, or that when they are caught, they are released with a slap on the wrist?

I mean that they aren't caught. they are living all over the place. Everyone knows they are all illegal but nothing is ever done about it.

None of these replies are pertinent to the question originally asked!

Well thanks anyway Chili for trying to keep my question on track.

[mox 298]

Well thanks anyway Chili for trying to keep my question on track.

So was your question not answered Smohl?

The general consensus was that she should apply. I'll just add that there's no "mark" on her record even if she is denied. The State Department takes each application on a case-by-case basis. If the reason that she was denied changes, then they'll take that into account. She can also apply as many times and as often as she wants.