Have any of you sponsored fiance(e)'s family for wedding?

[jaygauss 0]

In particular I'm interested how the Ukrainian consulate handles things. Is it beneficial for me to sponsor a tourist visa while the K1 is in process, or should my fiancee's mother apply by herself to see friends in the US and not mention the wedding? I'm having trouble finding good information about this.

[SMR 368]

First off, there technically is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist visa. Your future MIL has to apply for a visa on her own.

That said, you can write a letter. The letter is just a piece of paper that they can take to the interview that the officer may or may not look at. My wife's mother and brother came to our wedding. Both applied for visas while she was waiting for the K-1. I wrote letters for both of them and they both got the visas. Honestly, I don't think that writing the letter can possibly hurt. It doesn't really make it more likely that she will stay in the US. If anything, trying to cover it up may make things suspicious depending on how good your cover story is.

However, it probably also doesn't help very much. A common misconception about the tourist visa process is that you need to demonstrate that you have a good reason to come. They actually don't care about that. They theoretically care about making sure the tourist won't run out of money and get stuck, but in practice that doesn't get much focus. What they care about is making sure that the visitor will go home afterwards. The invitation letter about a wedding etc. does help insofar as it helps to create a believable story. It's a piece of the picture that you are trying to paint.

So in summary, I would write the letter. However, focus on making sure that your fiancee's mother has other ties to home and is not a risk of staying. Those are the most important.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

In particular I'm interested how the Ukrainian consulate handles things. Is it beneficial for me to sponsor a tourist visa while the K1 is in process, or should my fiancee's mother apply by herself to see friends in the US and not mention the wedding? I'm having trouble finding good information about this.

There is no sponsoring a tourist visa. It's up to the individual to prove to the satisfaction of the interviewing officer that they will return to their country at or before the end of their authorized stay. They should be honest when asked why they want to travel to the US, and that it's for their daughter's wedding. But that is a minor detail that will only become of major importance if she willfully lies to the interviewing officer and is found out.

Proof, proof, proof, and more proof that she will return and not overstay. With good proof, you have about a 40/60 shot of it getting approved.

[jaygauss 0]

First off, there technically is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist visa. Your future MIL has to apply for a visa on her own.

That said, you can write a letter. The letter is just a piece of paper that they can take to the interview that the officer may or may not look at. My wife's mother and brother came to our wedding. Both applied for visas while she was waiting for the K-1. I wrote letters for both of them and they both got the visas. Honestly, I don't think that writing the letter can possibly hurt. It doesn't really make it more likely that she will stay in the US. If anything, trying to cover it up may make things suspicious depending on how good your cover story is.

However, it probably also doesn't help very much. A common misconception about the tourist visa process is that you need to demonstrate that you have a good reason to come. They actually don't care about that. They theoretically care about making sure the tourist won't run out of money and get stuck, but in practice that doesn't get much focus. What they care about is making sure that the visitor will go home afterwards. The invitation letter about a wedding etc. does help insofar as it helps to create a believable story. It's a piece of the picture that you are trying to paint.

So in summary, I would write the letter. However, focus on making sure that your fiancee's mother has other ties to home and is not a risk of staying. Those are the most important.

There is no sponsoring a tourist visa. It's up to the individual to prove to the satisfaction of the interviewing officer that they will return to their country at or before the end of their authorized stay. They should be honest when asked why they want to travel to the US, and that it's for their daughter's wedding. But that is a minor detail that will only become of major importance if she willfully lies to the interviewing officer and is found out.

Proof, proof, proof, and more proof that she will return and not overstay. With good proof, you have about a 40/60 shot of it getting approved.

This suggests otherwise. I have heard of people sponsoring relatives for visits to the US. I'm surprised to hear that you cannot do this, unless what is usually meant by this is just the letter.

[christeen 966]

No such animal as sponsorship... The letter can attest why they want to visit and even that you will be financially footing the bill, however, everything SMR said is a very accurate and comprehensive overview of the tourist visa situation...

[SMR 368]

I have heard of people filling out an I-134 to support a tourist visa. However, this is not required and the interviewer will not be likely to look at it or take it.

[vbtwo 54]

There is a lot of misconception going around especially in RUB countries as to what the tourist visa is about. A lot of people think that if they can prove a reason why they need to come to the US, it will be approved. They do not really care why she's coming to the US. They care that she can prove that she will go back. Thus the main things they look at are: does she have a job, how much does she make, does she have other close relatives staying in Ukraine, does she have a lot of assets in Ukraine, etc. Anything that ties her to Ukraine. If she doesn't have these, than chances are the visa will be denied and it doesn't matter what letters you write or if you say that you'll sponsor her visit.