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Posted by anna on February 11, 2001 at 23:35:51:
In Reply to: Visa to US for 1st cousin posted by anna on February 11, 2001 at 21:07:32:
In 1993 an invitation for a 30 day visit using Scope Travel as our resource was sent to my first cousin, the closest relative of my generation in Ukraine with whom we are in contact - but attempts for his individual visa were denied - no reason given to us. Eventually the invitation expired and we just gave up. My cousin is a single parent, now in his forties raising 3 children - 14, 15 and 18 yrs old. He lives with his elderly parents (my uncle and aunt) who are now in their 70's.
What are our chances for helping our cousin get a visa in 2001? Better or worse than in 1993? My sister and I are hoping to try again. Our own mother is very ill and was never able to find any surviving members of her family. I guess that has provided a spark to try again to reunite here in the USA with at least one member of our father's family from Ukraine. My father passed away in 1990 and so were his hopes for reuniting with family in Ukraine. In 1992 two of his grandsons (my son and my nephew) traveled with a tour group and finally connected with my cousin's family for a brief visit - only a few hours. Three generations of our family have been separated since WWII except for that brief encounter in 1992. Not an uncommon story for Americans of Ukrainian descent.
It seems that invitations are no longer needed, but I'm confused about the best way to approach an attempt for either an non-immigrant or even and immigrant visa. I've spent hours visiting many of the embassy and consulate websites and then found this message list at Brama. I'd like to hear about some 1st hand experiences... I'm very appreciative of any advice that anyone can offer! Thanks!