who should sponsor my moms travel- help me select the best option

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

I have read through 100s of questions asked here and would be glad if someone can help me out here:
My mom is >60 years old, widowed, retired govt employee, owns a small business (+ pension) with income of 3-4L per year. She has 10L in FD, her own house and land. All her 3 children are married settled in India (including me, althouh I have visited US on deputation (H1-B) thrice (1 year each) during last 10 years; last one ended in Feb 2013).

I want her to get tourist visa, so that next time when I need to travel to US, i can take her along with me.

Her nephew (sisters son) is in US and i plan to show that she is going to stay at his place when she goes to visit US. He is ready to send me invitation letter, accommodation proof and employment proof (but not salary details or bank details). So that leaves me with question of who will sponsor her trip:

I am considering following 3 options, please advise:
1) she self sponsors (but i think this will be shot down with 3-4L income even though she has 10L in FD+property)
2) Her nephew sponsers ( but if they ask for his financial details, the documents might not be enough)
3) Her 2nd daughter sponsers ( her income is 5L per year, and i can show her family income as >10L)

I understand the case is probably not very strong, but would like to know your opnions on which of this option is my best bet (Please note that since i cant be in US for long time, i can't consider option of me travelling to US and then sponsoring her visa).

[peace999]

Sponsorship aside, purpose of visit must seem natural.

Going alone to visit nephew is not natural .

The best presentation would be going to tour US with the family of one of her children. But for this, the family
must be affluent enough to have a history of trips abroad ( singapore, dubai , europe)and strong family income to show self funding and funding for mother .
( >1L /month ) .

If that is not possible, the best would be to let her apply with you when you go , ( you can show funding for her).
Remember, she is a widow and retired, so chances for her may not be that great. But going with you she has the best chance.

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

thank you sir, for the prompt reply.

Actually i need to travel soon (in probably months time). I have valid work permit (H1-B) but Visa is yet to be stamped (am planning to stamp it in next 2-3 weeks).
In your second option - did you mean to say that while i am in India I will let her tell that she is going to travel with me and I am going to sponser her travel (which means i will show my indian financial details)? After reading your response, i also feel this is pro****ly more natural, but then i was thinking about family ties back home and having all 3 children settled in India would go strongly in favor of that.

Is it at all possible that i apply for tourist visa along with her (while my H1B visa still valid)?

[peace999]

In your original post you gave the impression that you are in India. ( I have visited US on deputation , my last one was in feb 13)

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

Apologize if i confused you. Yes I am in India right now (Last time i was in US between Feb2012 to Feb2013).

What i was trying to clarify was:

Can my mom tell following points to the interviewer or is it better to skip(modify) any of these:

1) My son is working in India right now (He was working in US on deputation for an year between Feb2012 to Feb2013) - this they can anyways easily find out

2) He is planning to sponsor my trip(his income is above 1L rupees per month)

3)He is planned to go to US again on deputation on July 15th 2013. I will travel with him. I will return back in 3 weeks while he will continue there for 1 year. I will stay with him while I am in US (I have already booked an apartment in US and have the address which she can show).

4)In case they ask - he is on H-1B work permit visa. This also they can easily find.


Your insight are really helpful, Looking forward for a response.

[peace999]

1. Who is your mother living with in India? You have been away on H-1b. Is she living alone while you are away?
2. Do you have any work ties in India at present ? Is your Indian + US employer sending you on H-1b or you have no India employer?

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

1) yes she lives alone and manages her own small business, even while i am in India. I live and work in a different state in India.
2) I have work ties in India. I have been employed with Indian employer for last 10 years and same company is sending me to US (all my previous visits have also been from same company and each of them have been around 1 year in duration).

Thanks for all your time.

[peace999]

I think you should take her appointment the same day you go for H-1b stamping.
Just tell them the way things are with you and her and she wants to visit US for 3 weeks and return.

If she was living with your or any of other children's family in India, it would be different. Now, living alone, widow and retired, she does not really have much to show
for her ties to India.
So, it all depends on the officer , she may get lucky.

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

Bit disheartening, but thanks a lot again for your time. I am planning to schedule my H-1B interview on same day as her.

One quick question - Inside consulate, did you mean i can walk up to interviewer along with her when she is called? I hope that would not irritate him and have adverse effect on my stamping too.

Also to give you little more background: She had made one attempt in Aug 2012 (when i was in US, and i was sponsering her trip) where she was asked to come back after 3 months by interviewer due to some security incidence (person accompanying her a took a picture while waiting outside consulate. This was reported inside). Form 221(g) was given with 23rd nov'12 date written on it. She failed to go on 23rd nov. I wrote to embassy few weeks back and they have replied back saying she can come on any working day at 10.30am.

Since the old form has old travel date and old US adress of mine, i am planning to create a new application and submit that and take it along (without scheduling appointment). Do you think what i am doing is right? - i had asked this question to US embassy but then only replied back saying "come back on any working day at 10.30am".

[peace999]

That makes it entirely different.

No. you do not need to create a new application. It does not matter if your address has changed, your mother should just walk in.
I am not sure if you will be allowed in with her.
But she should take a copy of the embassy email that told her to walk in , a copy of your approved H-1b petition ,
and some proof of your income in the last year .

For your H-1b you will have to take a different appointment.

[b2_tourist_visa_need_help]

peace999 and immihelp site, thank you so much in helping me going in the right direction. My mother's B2 visa got approved yesterday!
I think the question which really made the difference was - 'who will sponsor the visit?'. She answered self and quickly added on with details about the savings and property evaluation.
Her income was not asked for (which was low based on tax returns filling). No documents were asked for.
May be the officer was lenient. But i think speaking confidently and trying to highlight your strong areas through some of the answers (even though question does not directly ask for that info) helps.
Also i heard another case whee visa was rejected twice when sponsorere was child in US and third time it got approved when sponsorer was self.
Folks with retired, widowed parent - hope my case helps you to get some confidence. Good luck.