Tourist Visa, Non-Immigrant Indian Spouse

[cjh234]

I am a bit puzzled about tourist visas and whether sponsorship is allowed or recognized by consulates.

Here is a little background on the situation:

I am a U.S. citizen, I married my wife (Indian) last year in Taiwan where she was studying for her Master's degree and we have been separated since July. She went back to India to visit family and accepted a job as research assistant to build experience for PhD. She is now applying for PhD in UK, but would like to come visit me in the U.S. prior to her and I moving to UK for her school. This has been our plan all along, which is why we have not filed for U.S. Spouse Visa.

I understand she must show ties to India, so is there any way explaining the detail of our situation to the Visa Officer will get her a visitor visa? She has a job to go back to, can show application to UK school, but she has no bank account with funds to show she can afford. However, since we are married, my income/savings is hers, so can she simply say that and show my bank account information?

We thought about me sponsoring her as well, but so many forums say that a visitor visa cannot be sponsored. That all you can send is an invitation inviting them com visit, where you go and that you will assume all costs, but it has no real effect on outcome if ties to home country are not proved.

I don't want the consulate to think that since I/we have the money to support her visit, there's "intent to immigrate".

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you for the assistance.

[peace999]

All else aside;
Just the fact that she is a spouse of a US citizen leads to an automatic presumption of an immigrant intent.
that is how they assess.

I have read some such posts who have been successful after showing really strong ties to home country but even that is not there in your wife's case.
With her limited financial/work ties to India and plans to study in UK, I do not think it will be possible for her to get a visit visa.

[cjh234]

Thank you for the reply.

This is frustrating to say the least. We want to go about this the honest way so as not to ruin our chances at a Spouse Visa later. Can you recommend any alternative options to get her for a short visit? Or do we just give it an honest whirl and risk losing the money?

Perhaps she applies simply to visit a friend or visit some schools. Would she still be denied for not showing strong ties to India despite having a job and parents who could show income to pay for visit?

[peace999]

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