B2 Visa for Mom and Student Bro

[mentalbaba]

Hi,

I'm working in the US on an L1 (Individual) visa. I haven't been home for the past one year and, by the looks of it, I'll probably be here for some more time.

Instead of going to India, I wanted my mom and my younger bro (who's an engineering student) to come visit me and also see a bit of the US.

#Could there be a problem because of my younger bro? He's taken his GRE and will be applying to some of the US univs at the end of the year.

#Should they apply independently lest my mom's application is rejected in the process? Or can it be a combined application?

#If they apply independently, should they take interview dates on different days and if so, in which order? (Mom first? Bro first?)

#If the visa officer asks the question, can my bro say that he'd like to study in the US? (I mean what's wrong with that - so many students go to the US to study)

I'd be obliged if somebody could give me some advice. Thanks.

[peace]

Please provide more info ;
1. Where is your dad and what does he do?
2. What does your mom do in India?
3. What is her financial status in India?
4. Do you have other siblings in US and in INdia besides your younger brother?

Hi,

I'm working in the US on an L1 (Individual) visa. I haven't been home for the past one year and, by the looks of it, I'll probably be here for some more time.

Instead of going to India, I wanted my mom and my younger bro (who's an engineering student) to come visit me and also see a bit of the US.

#Could there be a problem because of my younger bro? He's taken his GRE and will be applying to some of the US univs at the end of the year.

#Should they apply independently lest my mom's application is rejected in the process? Or can it be a combined application?

#If they apply independently, should they take interview dates on different days and if so, in which order? (Mom first? Bro first?)

#If the visa officer asks the question, can my bro say that he'd like to study in the US? (I mean what's wrong with that - so many students go to the US to study)

I'd be obliged if somebody could give me some advice. Thanks.

[mentalbaba]

1) My dad's no more.

2) My mom's a housewife.

3) Her financial status is secure to the extent that I do not have to support her. She can show a few investments in banks / the post office etc. Basically we're middle-class folks and I was planning to sponsor their visit.

4) No, I do not have any other siblings.

Please let me know if more information is required. Thanks for your help.

[peace]

Very sorry to read about your dad.

It seems like you are new to the process of a visitor visa, so there are a few hard facts you must know;

1.The most important issue in the interviewing officer's mind is to assess if
the applicant has enough ties in INdia that will compel him to come back.

2.For this reason, widows find it very difficult to get a visitor visa especially those with no occupational ties to India, a child in US sponsoring her and no children in India.

3.There is a relative positive factor in your mom's situation that she has one child in India.
She will be losing that postive factor if both of them apply with your bro showing intent to study in US. This will further add to the officer's suspicions
that both of them will not return. This will suerly result in a denial for both and may complicate things for his future student visa. There is no point in applying separately; they will have to mention on the form who each of them will be traveling with
and the embassy will find out.

4. If you read this forum, widows who have been successful in getting visitor visas have developed ties to India in the form of some occupation,
like running a small business like a tuition center, sewing cener, a job, a responsible membership in some local community organization etc.

5.So the advice is; Let your mother develop some ties as I mentioned above. Have such a tie documented like a registration or a letter from the organization. Ask for a short stay of say 2 months or so. When asked about her other son,
she should not mention that he wants to study in US. She should give the impression that she will be spending her life in INdia with both the sons as you also have plans to return to INdia after a few years on L1.

[mentalbaba]

Thanks for your response.

What if only my mom applies for the visa right now and not my brother? Would it be reasonably safe to assume that her visa may be granted? My brother can then apply for a student visa directly, around 12 months from now.

[peace]

It will improve the chances but still no guarantees in the absence of other ties because he is young and single and potentially independent so the consular may not think of him as a real compelling reason for your mom to come back.
If your mom was living with a married, settled child in India, chances would be even better.

The best way is for your mom to get tied up with something in India
over a period of 4-5 months. Then apply before your brother applies for his student visa.