Visa for my future-in-laws

[soheil 9]

Hi all,

as we are all waiting and refreshing the USCIS website everyday, I wanted to ask a question about the procedure of getting a Visitor Visa for my future-in-laws (my fiancee's parents).

I know that we haven't got our NOA2 yet and only god knows when she will be in US and we can't plan anything until then, but since you all have been through this waiting step (or still are), you all know in what a depressing and sad state we both are , so ANY single thought or dream that has a small amount of happiness would help us now.

Since we have to get married in US, we were thinking that it would be really nice if her parents (living in Iran) could get a visa and come with her so that we can have a small wedding, here in US. I know that this is not the right forum to talk about Visitor Visas, but I was wondering if anyone knows a case where the future-in-laws got a visa for the purpose of attending the wedding ceremony. To be more specific my questions are:

- Given my relationship to my future-in-laws right now, can I send them invitation letters or it only has to be from a close relative? (they don't have any other relatives here, so I am the only person able to send them invitation)

- Is attending the wedding ceremony a good and convincing reason for a consulate officer to issue a Visitor Visa or we should forget about it?

- Since, my fiancee and her parents live in Iran and getting a Visa for Iranians are much more difficult than the other countries, what are their chances of getting a Visitor Visa?

Thanks all and may we all be with our loved ones soon

[Ben and Jill 37]

Hi all,

as we are all waiting and refreshing the USCIS website everyday, I wanted to ask a question about the procedure of getting a Visitor Visa for my future-in-laws (my fiancee's parents).

I know that we haven't got our NOA2 yet and only god knows when she will be in US and we can't plan anything until then, but since you all have been through this waiting step (or still are), you all know in what a depressing and sad state we both are , so ANY single thought or dream that has a small amount of happiness would help us now.

Since we have to get married in US, we were thinking that it would be really nice if her parents (living in Iran) could get a visa and come with her so that we can have a small wedding, here in US. I know that this is not the right forum to talk about Visitor Visas, but I was wondering if anyone knows a case where the future-in-laws got a visa for the purpose of attending the wedding ceremony. To be more specific my questions are:

- Given my relationship to my future-in-laws right now, can I send them invitation letters or it only has to be from a close relative? (they don't have any other relatives here, so I am the only person able to send them invitation)

- Is attending the wedding ceremony a good and convincing reason for a consulate officer to issue a Visitor Visa or we should forget about it?

- Since, my fiancee and her parents live in Iran and getting a Visa for Iranians are much more difficult than the other countries, what are their chances of getting a Visitor Visa?

Thanks all and may we all be with our loved ones soon

I am in no way an expert on Iran, but I highly doubt they will be able to obtain a Visitor's Visa. There is no way they will be able to come over with her when she comes on her K-1. I'm sorry. My husband's family couldn't get one for our ceremony either...his father was denied. It's REALLY tough, but it's just the way it is. Someone from the Iran portal I'm sure can advise further or correct me if I am wrong. All the best to you both.

[Pitaya 2,576]

Hi all,

as we are all waiting and refreshing the USCIS website everyday, I wanted to ask a question about the procedure of getting a Visitor Visa for my future-in-laws (my fiancee's parents).

I know that we haven't got our NOA2 yet and only god knows when she will be in US and we can't plan anything until then, but since you all have been through this waiting step (or still are), you all know in what a depressing and sad state we both are , so ANY single thought or dream that has a small amount of happiness would help us now.

Since we have to get married in US, we were thinking that it would be really nice if her parents (living in Iran) could get a visa and come with her so that we can have a small wedding, here in US. I know that this is not the right forum to talk about Visitor Visas, but I was wondering if anyone knows a case where the future-in-laws got a visa for the purpose of attending the wedding ceremony. To be more specific my questions are:

- Given my relationship to my future-in-laws right now, can I send them invitation letters or it only has to be from a close relative? (they don't have any other relatives here, so I am the only person able to send them invitation)

- Is attending the wedding ceremony a good and convincing reason for a consulate officer to issue a Visitor Visa or we should forget about it?

- Since, my fiancee and her parents live in Iran and getting a Visa for Iranians are much more difficult than the other countries, what are their chances of getting a Visitor Visa?

Thanks all and may we all be with our loved ones soon

Generally, for visitor visas, the visitor must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Consulate Officer that they have compelling reasons, or ties that would show that they will return home to their country after visiting. The necessary level of proof seems to vary from country to country. You already acknowledged your awareness that visitor visas for Iranians are difficult to obtain. Perhaps you should consider posting in the regional forum for more focused opinions and advice?

Good luck on you visa journey.

[soheil 9]

Thanks for your replies A&B and BenAndJill.

As you both said, in order to get a Visitor Visa one has to convince the consulate officer that they have enough ties to their home country that they would return after entering the US (or any other country) and also I am aware that this procedure is more tougher for Iranian citizens. I guess the purpose of my post was to really find about the other members' experiences in this regard (as BenAndJill shared theirs).

Anyhow, we will try to gather as much as documents we can and try our best in order to get them Visas. I will try to let you guys know the result. The funny (/sad) part though is that we don't know anything about the time that my fiancee will get her Visa, so my future-in-laws have to happily guess a time for their travel when applying for a visa

Thanks again and still looking for Iranian members with some knowledge in this case (getting Visitor Visa).

[rocks 494]

Have you tried asking in the Middle East and North Africa forum?

[soheil 9]

Have you tried asking in the Middle East and North Africa forum?

I have, but they moved my post to Visitor Visa forum because they thought it is more relevant to that one!

[TBoneTX 43,038]

Each country may differ, but this may be a general expectation: A year after our marriage, my in-laws applied for visitor visas. They paid the fees, traveled 14 hours by bus to the interview, and were snootily dismissed after a one-minute interview. (I've never been so mortified to be a U.S. citizen.) The instruction was, "Why don't you visit another country first, like Colombia, and then try again."

The family visited Peru. My mother-in-law interviewed again and was granted the visa uneventfully. She has visited us twice. My father-in-law and #5 sister-in-law interviewed later, together, and were both granted visas. It will be awhile before they can visit.

If their experience is any guide, expect that they'll be turned down at least once. Try to avoid disappointment if this happens. Persistence can pay.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

It's different for Iranians and I suggest you don't get your hopes up. If she is an only daughter, if her parents are not currently working or have any other family in Iran and so on, the chances of them getting a visa is very low. I have seen people of other high risk countries applying for visitors visas time after time and failing because the consulates generally don't consider a wedding a good enough reason.