Visitors Visa for Mother (who is widow)

[visitor08]

Hi,

I am planning to invite my mother to US for 2 to 3 months.
I am in US from last 2 years. We are two brothers and one sister.
Both me and my brother are in US. My sister is in India and is married.

I have searched the forum for Visa for Widowed mother and was disappointed to find that it may be difficullt for her, though hers is a genuine case, where she is very less interested to visit US, but I am pursuing her to come.

Will it increase her chances of getting visa if we show return ticket and iternary also?

Here are the details, please let me know if that will make it possible for her to get visa:

1) I am inviting her to visit and we will take all expenses. We will be visiting New york, Chicago and california during her visit.

2) She has two houses on her name and good bank balance.
She is the only who manages there two houses.

3) My grand father stays with my Mother. She takes care of him. Grandfather is 83 years old. and that is the reason she wants to visit for short duration only.

4) I am pursuying her to come here because I am planning to move back to India in 2009. and before that I want my mother to visit US.


Please advice.

Thanks

[DMX17]

Although what you read on the forums may be discouraging...I think she talking care of the grandfather and family property is a considerable plus.

The short trip (be specific on DS-156 for the duration of trip) is another key to prove that she wants to go back and take care of her resposibilities. Your mother will have to be proactive and bring good things to the VO's attention. The VO will most likely ask "why only X months?" Tell your mother to grab this opportunity and start talking confidently.

Go ahead possitively !

[visitor08]

Will it increase her chances of getting visa if we show return ticket and iternary also?

[DMX17]

Will it increase her chances of getting visa if we show return ticket and iternary also?

Buying tickets in advance is something that I do not personally like to do. But, if you want, she can use this as a back-up proof that she intends to fly back. It's your choice and it may/may not prove useful.

[peace]

visitor08

Her app. has two negatives;
*widow status
*both sons in US.

A return ticket will not help and is not advised. Anyway, an airline will issue
a ticket only after a visa is issued.

Instead, you should concentrate on sending paperwork that will prove that you plan to return to India next year. eg. a job lined up in India, end of contract in US in 09, purchase of property in India. And your mother should stress this to the officer.

[visitor08]

thanks all for your response...

Peace,
you said purchase of property in India can help. I have a flat in India. Should I show those, also My mother takes care of that property also. Will this help if I attach those property papers also?

[peace]

What I mean to say is to show to the officer that you plan to return in 09.
That may include showing your flat and more importantly showing jobs lined up in India in the form of letter(s) from Indian employer(s) and also evidence that your contract is ending in US.

That may help your mom's case as the officer can start thinking there is less chance of her not returning from US.


That said, a visitor visa is all hit and trial. They are doing you a favor(it is a privilege, not your right) by granting you a visit visa so even if they are irrational , you cannot question them.

[visitor08]

I think all these advices will help me prepare the case more strongly... thanks

I am planning to invite my mother in Oct 08. When should we apply for her Visitor visa? will it be better to apply in June/July than Sept 08??

[paccha9999]

My mothers situation was exactly(almost) similar to yours and my mother got a 10 year visa without any problems. Just the fact that she is a widow with both sons in US does not really affect her chances adversely as much as it is thought to be. Just ask your mother to answer confidently and convincingly that she will return. In my mothers case, they didn't look at any documents. I think body language makes a big difference.

[visitor08]

Thanks for the boost PACCHA9999 ... since you had similar situation, can you answer this......

I am planning to invite my mother in Oct 08. When should we apply for her Visitor visa? will it be better to apply in June/July than Sept 08??

[paccha9999]

Thanks for the boost PACCHA9999 ... since you had similar situation, can you answer this......

I am planning to invite my mother in Oct 08. When should we apply for her Visitor visa? will it be better to apply in June/July than Sept 08??

In my mothers case, my mother got her visa about 3 months before she came here. But I think it would be preferable to take an appointment closer to the travel date. Just make sure that your mother doesnt show too much eagerness about getting the visa. She should make it look like she is least bothered about the outcome and that she is more eager to get back to india even if she visits.