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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Oksana on February 13, 2001 at 10:53:44:
In Reply to: Re: New attempt - Visa to USA for 1st cousin posted by Luba (Anna's sister) on February 13, 2001 at 09:34:48:
Luba, I'll try to answer your and your sister's questions as well as I can.
1. About 1993 passport: As far as I remember, there usually is an expiration date on the front page of the international passport. If the passport is expired, than your cousin must apply for a new one as soon as possible. (he doesn't need an invitation to do that)
2. The invitation: you need to send your cousin 1) an affidavit of support form(you can request if from any INS office), signed by you in the presence of notary public; and few documents that prove your financial situation (bank statement, tax form, a letter from your work). All the instructions you'll find on the back of the above form.
2) Typed invitation (I did it on a nice personal letterhead) in Ukrainian. You can make second one in English. Just write that you invite such and such, your cousin's name, who is your cousin (in Ukrainian -- dvoiuridnyj or troiuridnyj brat) for a visit, for --- period of time (3 month period looks reasonable, he'll get entrance visa for 6 month anyway). This invitation is not officially required, but it helps a lot. After that take it to a notary public, and ask to notarize it (authorities like the look of an official seal -- sorry, I meant "big seal", not "big stamp")
3. I don't think it is a good idea to mention your mother's illness. At least I was advised against it when inviting my relative. US authorities may assume that you are inviting your cousin to work illegally.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!