B1/B2 Visa US Embassy Bogota

[Can1221 10]

Hi,

My US Citizen mother promised her 16 year old niece a trip to New York for the Christmas and New Years holiday from colombia. The problem is that my mother is retired and I don't think she has enough income for to submit an affidavit of support. So I'm voulenteering to submit the invitation letter and an affidavit of support and other documents.

What are the chances that my cousin will receive a B1/B2 visa at US Embassy in Colombia. I'm also a US born national

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

It's really dependant on the niece, not you and your mother.

What ties does the niece have to Colombia? Ie can she prove enrollment in school or a job? Are her parents and any siblings staying home?

[Can1221 10]

Yes, both her parents and sisters are staying behind. I also have asked her to have the school submit a letter confirming that she's enrolled and that the school would be in recess during the time frame that she's planning to travel.

Since this is the first time we're inviting or sponsoring any visas to anyone. We're kind of new on the process.

[Harsh_77 716]

you dont't invite anyone or you have to show affidavit of support or sponsor letter.

She will or someone on her behalf will have to fill form in colombia ds-160 is the form and she will have to show strong ties to her home country.

Including the letter from school and prob include financial details from her parents which should show they are well-off in colombia.

On DS-160 she can mention you as one who is sponsoring the trip and you can include your bank statement or a letter stateing you would be bearing the cost of the trip.

[Mononoke28 134]

Yes, both her parents and sisters are staying behind. I also have asked her to have the school submit a letter confirming that she's enrolled and that the school would be in recess during the time frame that she's planning to travel.

Since this is the first time we're inviting or sponsoring any visas to anyone. We're kind of new on the process.

The only thing you can do that may help her is write an invitation letter, nothing more. The CO may ask to see it or they may not, some times they don't even want to see it because the visa approval is based on her own evidence showing any strong ties to Colombia that will guarantee her return. If she can prove that she needs to go back after her stay in the US they may approve her visa, but again, it's not guaranteed.

Diana

[Teddy B 17,251]

Hi,

My US Citizen mother promised her 16 year old niece a trip to New York for the Christmas and New Years holiday from colombia. The problem is that my mother is retired and I don't think she has enough income for to submit an affidavit of support. So I'm voulenteering to submit the invitation letter and an affidavit of support and other documents.

What are the chances that my cousin will receive a B1/B2 visa at US Embassy in Colombia. I'm also a US born national

It will all depend on how solid your cousin's ties are to Colombia, she must prove that she intends to return home. Anything you provide will be secondary at best, if not irrelevant.

[ryna 132]

Let us know how this works out. I could use any tourist visa related tips/interview experiences applicable to a teenager from Colombia traveling solo.

My wife and I have promised our niece that she could visit us for her 15th birthday (well, for her first school break after her b-day) because she wants to go to DisneyWorld. As my sister-in-law is in no position to fund her trip, the trip would (100%) be a birthday gift from us. I, personally, am not very optimistic and have tried to prepare her for a potential visa letdown. That said, I'm already thinking of back-up plans for places we could visit that she'd probably never have the opportunity to see, either within Colombia or in another country without such strict visa requirements for Colombians.

[Can1221 10]

Hi ryna...

Seem like we're in the same boat.....My cousin is schedule for the interview on October 11th in Bogota. She'll be going with her dad....

Once I hear back from her and from her father about their experience in the embassy, I let you know

[Can1221 10]

Hi ryna

Just to let you know....my cousin's interview was today. The embassy approved her B1/B2 visa for only a 3 month stay.

The consul advised her and her dad that since the trip is a birthday gift from her aunt and cousin, she was only willing on granting her a 3 months visa.