How Likely Is My Egyptian Mother-in-Law to Get a B2 Visa?

[Laura and Taha 22]

Hi Everyone!

 

My husband and I are expecting our baby in January. I’m a U.S. citizen and my husband is a permanent resident who is expected to receive his citizenship next year. I would really love for my mother-in-law to visit after the baby’s birth,  both to meet her grandchild and to help out, as I don’t have any family nearby.

 

My question is, how likely is she to be approved for a visitor visa? She’s a stay-at-home mom and has never traveled outside of Egypt except to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah. She’s married, and her husband owns a business. She also has land in her name, and their home is jointly owned by both of them. My father-in-law wouldn’t be traveling, as he needs to stay and manage his business.

I know the U.S. Embassy in Cairo can be quite strict with visitor visa approvals, so I’m curious if anyone has gone through a similar experience or has any insight.

 

Thank you!

[JeanneAdil 7,299]

She will face a denial for coming to help with her grandchild/ that requires a work visa

 

Just to let u know my mom from Moroc was denied tourist visa when i was LPR

she received the visa to visit after my naturalization 

Why?  doesn't make sense as she could not have stayed and gone thru AOS while i was LPR

but could after i became a citizen

 

and a big Congratulations for the new baby-to-be

[Laura and Taha 22]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

She will face a denial for coming to help with her grandchild/ that requires a work visa

 

Just to let u know my mom from Moroc was denied tourist visa when i was LPR

she received the visa to visit after my naturalization 

Why?  doesn't make sense as she could not have stayed and gone thru AOS while i was LPR

but could after i became a citizen

 

and a big Congratulations for the new baby-to-be

I would have thought a work visa applies to situations where someone is being paid for their work. In this case, she wouldn’t be “working.” I work from home and would be home with her. Her visit would mainly be to spend time with her grandchild and us, which would naturally be helpful if I have a meeting or something similar.

I’ve already enrolled my daughter in daycare starting in April 2026, so my mother-in-law wouldn’t even be "helping" the entire time. We’d also plan to spend time together enjoying “tourist-type” activities during her visit.

[JeanneAdil 7,299]

4 minutes ago, Laura and Taha said:

I would have thought a work visa applies to situations where someone is being paid for their work. In this case, she wouldn’t be “working.” I work from home and would be home with her. Her visit would mainly be to spend time with her grandchild and us, which would naturally be helpful if I have a meeting or something similar.

I’ve already enrolled my daughter in daycare starting in April 2026, so my mother-in-law wouldn’t even be "helping" the entire time. We’d also plan to spend time together enjoying “tourist-type” activities during her visit.

I don't even let my mom cook or wash a dish while she is here 

and as soon as she mentions ''coming to help with the new baby"  its no visa 

it is considered work the same as what a housewife does that is considered work 

it is only A small fee to apply so nothing to loose and hopefully , she will get the visa

good luck

[Laura and Taha 22]

4 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

I don't even let my mom cook or wash a dish while she is here 

and as soon as she mentions ''coming to help with the new baby"  its no visa 

it is considered work the same as what a housewife does that is considered work 

it is only A small fee to apply so nothing to loose and hopefully , she will get the visa

good luck

I hope I’m not giving the wrong impression about our intentions. Like any mother, my mother-in-law is simply excited to meet her grandchild, especially since this will be her first. I don’t see that as a negative thing at all.

 

I’ll be having a C-section, and if you’ve experienced one, you know how challenging those first few weeks can be. Just as I wish my own mother could be here to help (unfortunately, she can’t due to health reasons), I’d love to have my mother-in-law’s support during that time. She’s family, and I truly love her as I do my own mother.

 

I think I may just be seeing this from a different perspective, I’m not trying to bring her over to “work” or act as a caretaker, but rather to share in a meaningful family moment and help in the natural way any loved one would.

[Edward and Jaycel 2,269]

1 minute ago, Laura and Taha said:

I’m not trying to bring her over to “work” or act as a caretaker,

 

The visa officer and CBP see this as her "working unpaid" in the US. I know it sounds crazy but it's an accurate representation of how they see it.

[JeanneAdil 7,299]

3 minutes ago, Laura and Taha said:

I hope I’m not giving the wrong impression about our intentions. Like any mother, my mother-in-law is simply excited to meet her grandchild, especially since this will be her first. I don’t see that as a negative thing at all.

 

I’ll be having a C-section, and if you’ve experienced one, you know how challenging those first few weeks can be. Just as I wish my own mother could be here to help (unfortunately, she can’t due to health reasons), I’d love to have my mother-in-law’s support during that time. She’s family, and I truly love her as I do my own mother.

 

I think I may just be seeing this from a different perspective, I’m not trying to bring her over to “work” or act as a caretaker, but rather to share in a meaningful family moment and help in the natural way any loved one would.

not the wrong impression at all  / i totally understand 

 

just telling u how this is looked at by CO officer at interview

seems a stupid rule to me as my wife will have shoulder replacement and her mom has passed 

i would love my mom here to help  and my mom has 10 year tourist visa but we applied now 15 months ago for her to live here so we don't want to mess that up

 

amytime a CO thinks the alien will be doing any work ,  then denial can be the decision 

it has happened to others with same issue

[Laura and Taha 22]

4 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

The visa officer and CBP see this as her "working unpaid" in the US. I know it sounds crazy but it's an accurate representation of how they see it.

It’s unfortunate that they see it that way, but it is what it is. So essentially, she shouldn’t mention the baby as a reason for her visit at all, just say she’s coming to visit us?

[appleblossom 5,136]

26 minutes ago, Laura and Taha said:

I would have thought a work visa applies to situations where someone is being paid for their work.

 

Or where they're doing something for free that an American could be paid for. 

[Edward and Jaycel 2,269]

17 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Or where they're doing something for free that an American could be paid for. 

 

Yep... this is the reason that others have been denied for this type of thing. As far as what to tell the Consular Officer and CBP? The truth, that she coming to visit you both and her new grandchild.

[Marieke H 2,582]

26 minutes ago, Laura and Taha said:

So essentially, she shouldn’t mention the baby as a reason for her visit at all, just say she’s coming to visit us?

She is coming to visit her son and his wife and to meet her new grandchild.

[JeanneAdil 7,299]

38 minutes ago, Laura and Taha said:

It’s unfortunate that they see it that way, but it is what it is. So essentially, she shouldn’t mention the baby as a reason for her visit at all, just say she’s coming to visit us?

CBP can still ask questions and turn her away if she mentions any type of work -paid or unpaid

[Boiler 48,102]

46 minutes ago, Marieke H said:

She is coming to visit her son and his wife and to meet her new grandchild.

Quite normal, it tends to raise a flag if they want to stay a long time, especially if the Parents are working.

[SalishSea 18,591]

2 hours ago, Laura and Taha said:

It’s unfortunate that they see it that way, but it is what it is. So essentially, she shouldn’t mention the baby as a reason for her visit at all, just say she’s coming to visit us?

Never lie to a consular officer.  Not worth it.

[igoyougoduke 1,720]

6 hours ago, Laura and Taha said:

Hi Everyone!

 

My husband and I are expecting our baby in January. I’m a U.S. citizen and my husband is a permanent resident who is expected to receive his citizenship next year. I would really love for my mother-in-law to visit after the baby’s birth,  both to meet her grandchild and to help out, as I don’t have any family nearby.

 

My question is, how likely is she to be approved for a visitor visa? She’s a stay-at-home mom and has never traveled outside of Egypt except to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah. She’s married, and her husband owns a business. She also has land in her name, and their home is jointly owned by both of them. My father-in-law wouldn’t be traveling, as he needs to stay and manage his business.

I know the U.S. Embassy in Cairo can be quite strict with visitor visa approvals, so I’m curious if anyone has gone through a similar experience or has any insight.

 

Thank you!

Her case will be approved or denied based on the merits of how she presents herself to the visa officer. She should focus on the interview that she is coming to see her grand kids not help you.

 

There should be no issues as long as she is genuine visitor coming to see her grand children.