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hellomms

How to get USC's Sister to visit US for wedding

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
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I am a USC and would like my sister to visit the US to attend my wedding (end of Oct). Seeking help on what to submit and make the application strong as there are some tricky facts about the situation:

 

The not so good...

- In 2010 her visa application was rejected when she and her husband applied from Pakistan (I was on H1-B back then)

- Her husband's financial situations isnt great and unlikely will have anything substantial (bank statements with strong balance) to present 

- My sister doesnt have much international travel experience - other than her recent 3 day trip to Singapore, and trips between UAE-PK

 

Some positives...

- She plans to apply from US Consulate in UAE 

- I am now a USC and hoping that this would carry some wait unlike the last time when I was on H1-B

- Only my sister and two young nieces (both under 6) will apply, my brother-in-law is unable to take time off from work so he will stay in UAE

- I plan to send an invitation letter along with evidence (my bank statements, pay-stubs) to show that I can easily bear all the expenses for their travel and accommodation

- I will buy them flight tickets ahead of the visa interview so they know that not only I am able to support, I have done that

 

Here is what we are thinking to submit:

- My brother-in-law's employment details showing that he is legally working in UAE

- Wedding invitation (that includes website URL in case they need to see details, including family pics)

- Legal status proof for my sister and her daughters 

- My invitation letter that includes:

  • Copy of my US Passport
  • My pay-stubs (last 2 months)
  • My bank Statement (multiple banks)

- My older niece's school admission details (including possibly a letter from school for allowing 1 week off from school)

- Flight booking details confirming departure and return dates

 

Is there anything we are missing? Are there any things we should be aware of? How critical is my sister's financial strength? Lastly, which documents should be only submitted during the visa interview and not when filing the application?

 

Thank you all in advance!

 

 

 

Edited by hellomms
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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Saudi Arabia
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When you apply for a visitor visa you must be able to prove ties to your home country. No invitation letter will help, nor will financial support. She needs to prove that she will not stay in the US.  You being a US citizen will not help,  in fact its probably worse because now you can apply to adjust status for your sister. Her ties do not look great. Her travel history may help but there's still a lot to prove. I would not advise in buying any tickets until her visa is approved, unless they are 100% refundable. 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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An invitation won't help.  Your evidence of support won't help (in fact, it could hinder).  Your purchase of the airline tickets won't help.  The critical piece will be HER showing strong ties to her country.  You can do nothing to help.  Good luck, but as of now, it seems to be a weak case.....

 

 

 

 

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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I suggest you google "showing strong ties for visitor visa".  She MUST convince the CO that she WILL return to her country after her visit.

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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What is her status in the UAE?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
Timeline
39 minutes ago, Boiler said:

What is her status in the UAE?

She is house wife dependent on her husband's work visa in UAE. I am not fully certain what the specific status is called. Sorry.

In terms of ties, I thought the following are helpful - no?

- Her husband will stay in the UAE

- Her daughter is in school and will attend it upon return

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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Well basically she fills the forms in and applies and sees. Her situation at the end of the day is what it is.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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8 hours ago, hellomms said:

She is house wife dependent on her husband's work visa in UAE. I am not fully certain what the specific status is called. Sorry.

In terms of ties, I thought the following are helpful - no?

- Her husband will stay in the UAE

- Her daughter is in school and will attend it upon return

yes and no....Plus you said she is also bringing her two young children with her to the US, right?  At the border they may believe they all plan on settling in the US and sponsoring the husband later.

 

Submitting evidence of you supporting her financially is going to make her application harder, actually.  She  needs to apply based on HER merits, not yours.

Edited by Going through

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

July 14, 2017 (Day 00) -  Submitted N400 Application, filed online

July 21, 2017 (Day 07) -  NOA Receipt received in the mail

July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

July 25, 2017 (Day 11) - Biometrics PDF posted online

July 28, 2017 (Day 14) - Biometrics letter received in the mail, appointment for 08/08/17

Aug 08, 2017 (Day 24) - Biometrics (fingerprinting) completed

Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

Aug 16, 2017 (Day 32) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Interview Scheduled, read the letter we mailed you..."

Aug 17, 2017 (Day 33) - Interview Appointment Letter PDF posted online---GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!

Aug 21, 2017 (Day 37) - Interview Appointment Letter received in the mail, appointment for 09/27/17

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Naturalization Interview--- read my experience here

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Oath Ceremony Notice mailed"

Sep. 28, 2017 (Day 75) - Oath Ceremony Letter PDF posted online--Ceremony for 10/19/17

Oct. 02, 2017 (Day 79) -  Oath Ceremony Letter received in the mail

Oct. 19, 2017 (Day 96) -  Oath Ceremony-- read my experience here

 

 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
Timeline

There is no such thing as an invitation letter for a visitor visa, paying for her ticket and financing her trip will work against her. She must prove she has ties to her home country and prove she can finance her own trip. A visitor visa is about her and her only. 


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18 hours ago, Meg&Andrew said:

You being a US citizen will not help,  in fact its probably worse because now you can apply to adjust status for your sister.

A sister is not an immediate relative for immigration purposes. Immediate relatives are spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21, and some orphans under 21. The OP can petition for a sister, but they cannot AOS until their PD is current (in almost 13+ years).

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Saudi Arabia
Timeline
2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

A sister is not an immediate relative for immigration purposes. Immediate relatives are spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21, and some orphans under 21. The OP can petition for a sister, but they cannot AOS until their PD is current (in almost 13+ years).

Yes I know, but she could still reside in the US until right? Or would her overstay not be forgiven, and she'd be denied?  

Edited by Meg&Andrew

<3  Our K-1 Visa Journey <3

I-129f sent -- 2-18-2016        

NOA1 -- 2-24-2016

NOA2 -- 05-02-2016

NVC received -- 05-13-2016

NVC left -- 05-18-2016

Embassy received -- 5-22-2016

Interview Date -- 8-31-2016

Interview Result -- APPROVED!!!

AP -- (09-07-2016)

Visa Issued -- 9-08-2016

US Entry -- 09-24-2016

<3 MARRIAGE -- 10-21-2016 <3

AOS, EAD, AND AP Filed 01-05-2017

NOA1 -- 01-19-2017

Biometrics -- 02-06-2017

EAD and AP approved -- 05-19-2017

AOS approved -- 08-24-2017

Received card -- 09-01-2017

❤ Baby boy is here!! December 26th 2017 ❤

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
5 minutes ago, Meg&Andrew said:

Yes I know, but she could still reside in the US until right? Or would her overstay not be forgiven, and she'd be denied?  

Not under current laws but Hillary for example promised amnesty.

 

She has not a lot going for her and quite a bit against, interested to see what the result is.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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11 minutes ago, Meg&Andrew said:

Yes I know, but she could still reside in the US until right? Or would her overstay not be forgiven, and she'd be denied?  

Nope. And that is the exact reason why it is difficult for people from certain countries to get a visitor visa. Because they will use to to "hang out" and live in the US until they can find a way to get legal status. Which is a violation of the tourist visa.

 

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Saudi Arabia
Timeline
Just now, NuestraUnion said:

Nope. And that is the exact reason why it is difficult for people from certain countries to get a visitor visa. Because they will use to to "hang out" and live in the US until they can find a way to get legal status. Which is a violation of the tourist visa.

 

I agree 100%. I  was mistaken in thinking that you can come to the USA, and adjust on a visitors visa if you're a relative, such as a brother or sister. I'm not too familiar with that process, hence why I asked. That's why I stated it might be worse on her sister that she is now a US citizen, but now I'm seeing that doesn't make a difference. 

<3  Our K-1 Visa Journey <3

I-129f sent -- 2-18-2016        

NOA1 -- 2-24-2016

NOA2 -- 05-02-2016

NVC received -- 05-13-2016

NVC left -- 05-18-2016

Embassy received -- 5-22-2016

Interview Date -- 8-31-2016

Interview Result -- APPROVED!!!

AP -- (09-07-2016)

Visa Issued -- 9-08-2016

US Entry -- 09-24-2016

<3 MARRIAGE -- 10-21-2016 <3

AOS, EAD, AND AP Filed 01-05-2017

NOA1 -- 01-19-2017

Biometrics -- 02-06-2017

EAD and AP approved -- 05-19-2017

AOS approved -- 08-24-2017

Received card -- 09-01-2017

❤ Baby boy is here!! December 26th 2017 ❤

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

Having a support network does not help.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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