US Citizen able to sponsor parents’ tourist visa?

[Cacerez 19]

My husband became a citizen in Sept 2017 and wants to know if this helps his parents to get a tourist visa?

 

He has also read that he can sponsor his parents’ visit as they do not have resources in the bank, but they do have their own home in Guatemala and his mother has a job to return to. They are both in their 50s. 

[JFH 12,189]

Unfortunately he has heard some incorrect information. There is no sponsorship for visitor visas and there is nothing anyone can do to help someone get approved, parents or otherwise. Letters of invitation, back statements, promises to "support" people...all end up in the recycling bin, if they even get looked at. 

 

Arguably your husband's new status may be a hindrance to his parents as there exists the belief, based on the actions of others in the same situation, that his parents will "change their minds" about going home once they get here and then adjust status. 

Edited February 20, 2018 by JFH

[Boiler 43,397]

I am intrigued as to where he read this?

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

word travels in immigrant communities..?

[Boiler 43,397]

3 minutes ago, WeGuyGal said:

word travels in immigrant communities..?

Not my one.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

in some more than others

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

12 hours ago, JFH said:

Unfortunately he has heard some incorrect information. There is no sponsorship for visitor visas and there is nothing anyone can do to help someone get approved, parents or otherwise. Letters of invitation, back statements, promises to "support" people...all end up in the recycling bin, if they even get looked at. 

I used to think the same way.   But I think it could be a game changer if a person shows up with  "promise to support".

 

Last summer my wife Uncle who is US Citizen by way of getting enlistment in the US Navy and now retired an living in Philippines.  Had one of his son who was born and lives in Philippines but is US Citizen he joined the US Navy.   The family wanted to go to his graduation in the USA.  5 people applied for a Tourist Visa.  3 of them were older (60 +) and all living in Philippines they got approved.  

 

The odd one was there were two younger (Early 20's) applicants, who both were working and living in Singapore but were Philippines Citizens.  They both applied and got approved.

 

My wife Uncle who is the US Citizen living in Philippines kept telling the family they were approved due to his letter stating he would take care of the expenses.   He does draw a hefty pension, and he has a pretty awesome house in Philippines. I would consider him fairly wealthy.

[FalkorLuckdragon 0]

@JFH Do you have a source for the statement "there is no sponsorship for visitor visas"? This link seems to indicate otherwise.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

1 hour ago, FalkorLuckdragon said:

@JFH Do you have a source for the statement "there is no sponsorship for visitor visas"? This link seems to indicate otherwise.

Your link is to a lawyer website trying to drum up business.

Here is an official link https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html  which clearly states that if you bring an affidavit of support or letter of invitation to the visa interview it will not be a factor in issuing the visa.

[FalkorLuckdragon 0]

5 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Your link is to a lawyer website trying to drum up business.

Here is an official link https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html  which clearly states that if you bring an affidavit of support or letter of invitation to the visa interview it will not be a factor in issuing the visa.

This was helpful. Copying the relevant portion here in case the URL changes:

 

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.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

1 hour ago, FalkorLuckdragon said:

@JFH Do you have a source for the statement "there is no sponsorship for visitor visas"? This link seems to indicate otherwise.

When in doubt, better to refer to an official .gov link and not a .com link.