Mom flying on tourist visa (into Austin, TX). Proof of funds? Letter?

[stacyt 209]

Hello, my mom is Ukrainian, and she recently got a 10-year tourist visa. I became a US citizen 4 years ago. My husband is a U.S. citizen by birth, and we recently had a child together. Married 7 years. My mom got the visa to see us finally, I am curious what are recent experiences at customs in the airports, what questions are being asked.

My mom speaks limited English, so I was considering giving her a letter written for me that explains her address and her return dates. Do I need other evidence? Does she need any bank statements or any other way to prove she has funds? She will be staying for 2 months. Can I write a letter stating that I will provide her with food and lodging during his stay? I want to ensure she is not sent home at the airport due to some minor mistake. Never know what to expect these days.

 

Thanks!

[smilingstone 626]

Does she work? Rent or own property? What can she evidence as reason to return? Any up coming appointments she's scheduled? I imagine if she details a 2 month stay, how this will be funded will be a follow up question. Do you have any specific plans while she's with you? Things to see or do? It's important that she be equipped with this, in case they ask. It's a red flag to visit as a tourist and not have any idea of sights to see.

 

Bank statements would be good, which also double up as proof of address in home country.

 

Good idea to give her a written letter with the address she'll be staying. You may also want to provide your contact number should they need to call you.

 

Of course, perfectly possible she doesn't get any hassle, but it's best to be overprepared and not need it. Just ensure she doesn't put any of these documents in her checked luggage.

[DELTAFOXTROT 97]

12 hours ago, stacyt said:

Hello, my mom is Ukrainian, and she recently got a 10-year tourist visa. I became a US citizen 4 years ago. My husband is a U.S. citizen by birth, and we recently had a child together. Married 7 years. My mom got the visa to see us finally, I am curious what are recent experiences at customs in the airports, what questions are being asked.

My mom speaks limited English, so I was considering giving her a letter written for me that explains her address and her return dates. Do I need other evidence? Does she need any bank statements or any other way to prove she has funds? She will be staying for 2 months. Can I write a letter stating that I will provide her with food and lodging during his stay? I want to ensure she is not sent home at the airport due to some minor mistake. Never know what to expect these days.

 

Thanks!

We picked up my MIL about 2 months ago at DFW, it was her first time to use her Tourist Visa, She speaks limited English. She is still in USA, headed back home this Sunday.

 

All they asked her was where she was staying and my wife had already provided our address, and how many pieces of luggage she has, She had one.

 

You can give her anything you want that makes you feel better, I think it's a waste of proving a letter saying you will provide lodging, I would think most parents on a tourist, that the child would be providing lodging and taking care of all thier expenses while in USA, and CBP would assume that. 

 

They had asked my MIL who was paying for her trip when she did her visa interview, which she said we (Wife/Me) would do that.

Edited June 4 by DELTAFOXTROT