Fiance's family in South Africa wants to come to our wedding

[Tina and Johan 206]

Hi. My fiance and I are planning to get married in the US this autumn, and have told him family to please start the visa process, some of which will include getting passports. Is there anything we can send, do, etc to help this along? And honestly, what are the chances they will be able to come here? Is getting a tourist visa from SA difficult?

We/they want to get the ball rolling now, but with the upcoming election, there is speculation that there will be issues with government activities and passport approval/visa approval will be postponed. Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?

Thanks in advance!

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Their chances depend on a few things, have they traveled to other, non African, countries before? Do they have substantial ties to S. Africa? What can they show to indicate that the MUST return to South Africa?

You may send a wedding invitation but honestly their reasons to visit the US are dwarfed by their reasons to return to S. Africa, focus on those

good luck

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

There is nothing you can do to help. You are not part of the process.

To qualify for a visitor visa, the applicant must show strong ties to home country to overcome the presumption that the person intends to illegally immigrate to the US.

The reasons for visiting the US is only marginally important. The US Embassy is looking for evidence of why they would return home after a brief visit. Focus on the ties to South Africa.

Best of luck.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

South Africa had a 2.6% B2 denial rate last year, so chances are exceedingly good that they will be approved.

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY13.pdf

[Tina and Johan 206]

thank you very much for the input. I appreciate it!

We'll send an invitation, but realize it won't really help too much. Thankfully, they all have jobs, homes, school, etc to return home to. Again, thank you.

Tina

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Just read up on the pro/cons of sending an invitation. Your family needs to prove their ties to S.A.

I don't think the upcoming election is going to play in role in anything.

But if they need a new Passport then they need to apply ASAP as it's going to take a while with Home Affairs so just factor that in.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Just read up on the pro/cons of sending an invitation. Your family needs to prove their ties to S.A.

I don't think the upcoming election is going to play in role in anything.

But if they need a new Passport then they need to apply ASAP as it's going to take a while with Home Affairs so just factor that in.

Thank you for the advice. I'll let them know (as if they don't already know to get on it! )

[Tina and Johan 206]

Update: the passports are ready for pick up! It only took 2 weeks! Also, while looking at tourist visa info on the Johannesburg embassy website, it definitely states to be able to prove strong ties to SA, but also the purpose of traveling. I will be sending my invitation early to them. Also, they have a group visa? Any thoughts on this?

[Boiler 45,661]

Never heard of a Group Visa, did not think the US issued them.

[Tina and Johan 206]

it's on the US embassy's website. let me find the link... actually, THIS link is on the US embassy's page... https://usvisa-info.com/en-za/selfservice/ss_country_welcome

and it's group processing. (I'm beginning to feel like I have information overload. )

Edited May 29, 2014 by Tina and Johan

[jan22 3,056]

Just because they are all family going to the same wedding, they will not qualify for group processing. That is for pre-formed groups like musicians in a band, a school group going on a trip, a professional organizational group going to a meeting, etc. And, even if they did accept it for group processing, it would not improve their chances of getting approved -- each person would still have to qualify on their own merits. Added advantage is that the more prepared applicants in the family don't have to wait for the slower ones to be ready!

Good luck to your family members.....I know it will be nice to have them at the wedding with both of you.

[Tina and Johan 206]

thanks for the clarification, Jan22. I can't wait to have them here.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Update: all family members have their passports now and will be making visa appointments in the very near future. They were told I needed to send this info for their process: official wedding invitations and also a letter stating that they'd be staying with us and what those dates are, plus all my contact information. Now my future sister in law is telling me that she will also need to have X amount of money in the bank. Is this true? We're paying her way since she's quite poor and divorced. Will this be a problem for her? We are also paying for my fiancé's mother, but the rest of the family is paying for themselves. How much,

If any money, will she need in the bank? Thanks for any advice. It's very appreciated!

[Boiler 45,661]

There is no specific sum required for a Tourist Visa, she has what she has.

[jan22 3,056]

Recent deposits in a bank account, especially ones that come from the US, are more likely to result in a denial than an issuance. Your future sister-in-law should just go prepared with what she has -- even if it makes it more likely that she will be denied. Making a quick deposit to make it look like your better off financially can come back to bite an applicant, if the visa officer thinks they are trying to lie about their situation.