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Posted by Paul on May 01, 2001 at 15:02:50:
In Reply to: US visitor's visa for my Mom -HELP with info!!!!!! posted by Natalie on April 29, 2001 at 22:36:42:
Natalie,
My wife is Ukrainian. Her parents have visited us twice - once for the wedding, and once before that. (My wife was here on an F-1 student visa when we met.) It is necessary for any visitor to establish that they have "strong permanent ties" to their home country - and that they have no plans to emigrate. If your mother owns property (unlikely, I know), that would help. Even if she owns (not rents) an apartment, it might help. If she has a good job there (I know, not likely these days), and can document that, it would help. If she has children, grandchildren or other close family there, that would help a lot. When she goes for an interview, she should bring documents that prove these things. Also, you should send with her a letter saying that you will support her and provide for all of her needs while in the US. BTW, she must generally have an appointment for an interview now. You can't just show up and stand in line. You won't be able to go into the embassy with your Mom for the interview. She will have to go alone. Since you are a citizen, you may be able to help her appeal if her application is rejected, but I'm not sure how. My wife's parents have 2 children and 4 grandchildren in Ukraine, plus own their own home, plus are over 60 and don't speak English. I think all those things worked in their favor. As I understand, people over 70 don't even have to appear for an interview - they can use the "drop box". (Just drop the application in the box - with passports and all supporting documents and come back on Friday to find out if you got the visa.) Check the embassy web site to confirm this - http://www.usemb.kiev.ua/consular/Dropbox.html.
Also MOST IMPORTANT, she must not say that she hopes someday to emigrate. She should not use this word at all. She must say that she is coming to visit, and will return home after some well-defined period. If she says that she might want to emigrate, they must (by law) refuse her application. If she has previously applied for an immigrant visa (which is either pending or has been refused), they might refuse her application for a visitor's visa on that basis.
Well... good luck.
-Paul
: Hello,
: I am an American citizen, my mother lives in the Ukraine. I am planning to go to American embassy in Kiev with her this summer and ask for her visitor's visa.(She was denied once in 1996). Does anybody have any experience with their close relatives going thru the same procedure? what documents help? What questions are asked? and How can I help HER get a visa?