Father in law and sister in law visas

[berber_wife 90]

My father in law and sister in law have interviews  for tourist visas on Thursday. What do my husband and I need to do from our end? My husband believes we should furnish an invitation letter, bank statements, employer letter and passport pictures from us. From what I read here, that seems like overkill and might hurt their chances. They will of course bring evidence of their ties to their home country (they both own homes and have other ties). They don't have a ton of money though so we do intend to pay for their visit. What should we do?

 

also, are they expected to bring i134 forms to their interview? My husband thinks so but it seems those are for immigrant visas and not non immigrant visas.

Edited May 15, 2017 by berber_wife

[Boiler 43,419]

Noithing

[geowrian 22,335]

9 minutes ago, berber_wife said:

My father in law and sister in law have interviews  for tourist visas on Thursday. What do my husband and I need to do from our end? My husband believes we should furnish an invitation letter, bank statements, employer letter and passport pictures from us. From what I read here, that seems like overkill and might hurt their chances. They will of course bring evidence of their ties to their home country (they both own homes and have other ties). They don't have a ton of money though so we do intend to pay for their visit. What should we do?

 

also, are they expected to bring i134 forms to their interview? My husband thinks so but it seems those are for immigrant visas and not non immigrant visas.

Nothing (again). You cannot sponsor a tourist visa. Also, an invitation letter and the other items are likely to do more harm than good. they just need to bring their evidence of ties to return home, as you noted they will do. They don't really care about why they're coming to the US so much as why they have a compelling reason to leave.

 

No, an I-134 should not be provided since you cannot sponsor a tourist visa.

 

Good luck.

[berber_wife 90]

Thanks, that was my instinct. Hubby got info from someone else who had his MIL visit from India but that was awhile ago. The only thing I'm still wondering is if there's any way they can show that we are paying for their travel expenses since they probably don't have enough in their accounts for round trip airfare and hotels (and they'll be staying with us anyway).

[aleful 1,905]

there is no need for you to do anything

 

if asked they must answer truthfully

 

 

[berber_wife 90]

My husband still wants to provide all this information just in case. How would including a 134, our bank statements and a letter of support hurt their chances? I understand these documents aren't relevant but including them would make my husband feel better, like we've done everything we can possibly do to up their chances.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 minutes ago, berber_wife said:

My husband still wants to provide all this information just in case. How would including a 134, our bank statements and a letter of support hurt their chances? I understand these documents aren't relevant but including them would make my husband feel better, like we've done everything we can possibly do to up their chances.

It might make the CO think that they don't have enough money to cover their expenses while travelling...that in turn is many times seen as potential risk of someone planning to do some sort of work  (take employment) while in the country and potentially overstay. For example.

Edited May 15, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

I don't understand why your husband wants to send a form that is not asked for, and can do potential harm.

[berber_wife 90]

4 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

I don't understand why your husband wants to send a form that is not asked for, and can do potential harm.

He wants to feel like he's doing more. I understand in a way because so much is out of his hands with the interview but on the other hand I've used VJ his GC and his European visa a few years ago and we flew through both processes with the advice here so I wish he would trust it.

Edited May 15, 2017 by berber_wife

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, berber_wife said:

He wants to feel like he's doing more. I understand in a way because so much is out of his hands with the interview but on the other hand I've used VJ his GC and his European visa a few years ago and we flew through both processes with the advice here so I wish he would trust it.

It's perfectly fine for them to simply answer the questions on the ds-160 and potentially from the CO with the fact that they are being treated to the trip, that's what they should do. The evidence they should focus on is the ties back home. 

I understand the feeling of wanting to do everything. Normal reaction

 

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Here is from the DoS website for B1/B2 visas:

"Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip;
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip. 

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa."

 

So, evidence of paying for the trip yes - letter and affidavit, no. Hope that helps. 

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

[Boiler 43,419]

From a family political perspective may be netter to just let him send what he wants,

[az2014 381]

6 hours ago, Boiler said:

From a family political perspective may be netter to just let him send what he wants,

Haha yea just let him send it and waste his time and money if thats whats going to make him feel happy.

[Auds 223]

... and unlikely they will get visas if they cant afford trip.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 minutes ago, Auds said:

... and unlikely they will get visas if they cant afford trip.

Thousands of ppl visit the US every year with US family and/or friends that treat them to the trip. That in itself is not a no-go. There would have to be also some other things for their visas to be denied, such as weak ties, or something else pointing to an overstay risk. There is no need to worry ppl for no reason.