GC for mother

[tabaliya]

I have been following this thread and slightly confused:

I'm also applying for a B-2 (visitor's visa) for my mother who is in India. She had a B-2 earlier that expired in Feb 2008 and she twice visited me, once in 1996 and 1998.

Is is better to send I-134 (almost seems like a requirement if you go by the US Consulate web page or many other portals like path2usa etc.) with proof of finances or should she claim that she has all the finances for the trip?

In the past I have sent I-134 showing full support for her trip and there was no problem. But some posters on this forum seem to think showing I-134 with claim of full support from the US might work negatively.

AP

 

[Jackolantern]

She had a B-2 earlier that expired in Feb 2008 and she twice visited me, once in 1996 and 1998.

Seems like it was issued pre-9/11 and before the uproar about illegal immigration. It's not as easy to get a B-2 now, but it certainly helps that she had one before and came back (assuming she didn't overstay).

In the past I have sent I-134 showing full support for her trip and there was no problem. But some posters on this forum seem to think showing I-134 with claim of full support from the US might work negatively.

When applying for a B2 visa it is better to stand on one's own assets (if one's own assets are sufficiently strong and located outside the US) rather than relying on the assets of somebody stationed in the US.

 

[CrossHairs]

I have been following this thread and slightly confused:

I'm also applying for a B-2 (visitor's visa) for my mother who is in India. She had a B-2 earlier that expired in Feb 2008 and she twice visited me, once in 1996 and 1998.

Is is better to send I-134 (almost seems like a requirement if you go by the US Consulate web page or many other portals like path2usa etc.) with proof of finances or should she claim that she has all the finances for the trip?

In the past I have sent I-134 showing full support for her trip and there was no problem. But some posters on this forum seem to think showing I-134 with claim of full support from the US might work negatively.

AP

I am confused as well, and thats why I am asking if parents in India have visited USA (for personal trip, not business) without I-134 from children or someone else in US?

Can anyone with this direct experience in dealing with consulates in India, confirm this!?

 

[tabaliya]

Seems like it was issued pre-9/11 and before the uproar about illegal immigration. It's not as easy to get a B-2 now, but it certainly helps that she had one before and came back (assuming she didn't overstay).

When applying for a B2 visa it is better to stand on one's own assets (if one's own assets are sufficiently strong and located outside the US) rather than relying on the assets of somebody stationed in the US.

She did overstay (by 25 days but I applied for an received an approval for her extension of stay - she fell ill and underwent a battery of tests in the US and therefore we had to extend her return). The approval was granted and I have the original NOA (I-797). I spoke with an attorney and he mentioned that this needs to be shown to the consulate when applying for the B-2. She also has a stamp in her passport showing the date of landing in Bombay.

As regarding assets, in addition to my papers showing proof of financial support, I also plan to have her take copies of her own financial assets in India (bank statements, fixed deposits, investments, etc.). Do you think that would help?

AP

 

[Jackolantern]

As regarding assets, in addition to my papers showing proof of financial support, I also plan to have her take copies of her own financial assets in India (bank statements, fixed deposits, investments, etc.). Do you think that would help?

If she has enough of her own money, leave yours out of the picture and let her stand on her own merit instead of showing anything from you. Don't create the impression that your money is needed.

 

[tabaliya]

If she has enough of her own money, leave yours out of the picture and let her stand on her own merit instead of showing anything from you. Don't create the impression that your money is needed.

Well, my mother had her interview yesterday at Chennai (Madras) and it went off smoothly. Hardly anything was asked or any documents reviewed. This may be because this was a renewal (my mother has twice been to the US before). This was the third time she was applying for a visitor's visa.

I did a combination of showing I-134 (for boarding and lodging support in the US) and her own funds (for travel to-from India and within US and health insurance). But even this was not asked for. They just asked a few routine questions (lasted all of 2 minutes or less), took the visa application form and passports and told her the visa will be mailed in 3-4 days by courier.

Thanks for the pointers on this forum. Thankfully it went off ok.

AP

 

[tabaliya]

You can't deny the fact that the number one reason why companies have outsourced to India is because of cheaper labor. For example, for IBM has long realized that it's number one cost is labor. By shifting their labor force to India, IBM has been able save money.
In your case, perhaps you are underpaid for your job description in the US when compared to your colleague in India instead of the other way around.

What was this in response to? Something previously posted? I don't see the connection between your response and what I just said about my mother getting her visitor's visa.

AP

 

[Bobsmyth]

What was this in response to? Something previously posted? I don't see the connection between your response and what I just said about my mother getting her visitor's visa.

AP

It was a response for another thread, but somehow it showed up here. I deleted it.

 

[schandrag]

Visa denials have always been random , the consular officer does not need to give specific reasons.

My family in India has never had difficulty in obtaiing visas but friends with similar socio economic background have had problems. Id has nothing to do with money. The friends who have been denied had enough money to finance their own trips . Now many of my firneds prefer to go to Europe/south africa/australia/NZ on vacation because of the ease of getting a visa

When my parents wnted to vacation in the USA in 1989 the conulate asked them to appear for an interview. My dad wrote back stating that he would rather spend his money somewhere else, and they promptly gave him a visa.
have never sent affidavits of support to my parent or in-laws for their visas.


I think we have just been lucky. The decisions are made arbitrarily. and Jackoflantern why would you thnik most Indian parents do not have enough money/assets. in today's India for most educated people the reverse is true.

 

[Jackolantern]

The decisions are made arbitrarily. and Jackoflantern why would you thnik most Indian parents do not have enough money/assets. in today's India for most educated people the reverse is true.

Your last sentence was about "most educated people." Educated people, especially university-educated, are a specific subset that is more affluent. But I was referring to people in general, most of whom in India don't have thousands of US dollars (or its rupee equivalent) available to convince the interviewers to give them a visa on their own merit.

 

[schandrag]

I do not have hard facts/statistics. However, a mjaority of those applying for visitors visas and all those applying for student visas/J-1 visas are educated. Those rejected among my firends were all educated and could show at least ten thousand dollars available as cash for travel/tourism and many times more in assets/bank accounts. Their denial was arbitrary. On the other hand many other nations have realised the value of Indian tourists and have made it very easy to get visas.
So in my experience at least lack of money/funds was not the reason for denial
There are many with less assets/money who come in as visitors from visa waiver countries.

Again i am not disputing the rights of the consular officers to deny. they are acting within the law. i am just stating the follishness of this and the money that is being lost to the tourism industry

Indians form the largest group of non EU visitors to London and spend more per capita than any other nationality visitng that city.

 

[Jackolantern]

Those rejected among my firends were all educated and could show at least ten thousand dollars available as cash for travel/tourism and many times more in assets/bank accounts.

But did they actually show the interviewer that they had that kind of money?

 

[schandrag]

Yes they did.
These are my friends from medical school, all are specialists and earn the equivalent of $80,00 to $130000 a year. They got visas to the UK, Ireland and the schengen countries without having to appear at the consulate for an interview. They have no intention of staying in the USA. ( certainly not economic migrants, are they?)

Please get over your stereotyped assumptions.

This is not relevant to most people on this form, sorry ,Jackolantern's comments touched a nerve and I unleashed this unnecessary tirade. i will rest my case and stop posting about his now.

 

[JohnnyCash]

I didn't mean religion. Dubai is famous for mafia and other illegal activities. tell me one reason why dubai is better than india to get visa free entry.

Each year United States reviews the ratio/percentage of visa-frauds/violations committed from nationals/citizens of each country in order to determine if it should be included in Visa Waiver Program. Visa frauds/violations could be anything that violates the terms of nonimmigrant visa which includes overstaying as well. Thus, it's not about which country is better or richer than other; instead it's about the ratio of visa frauds from nationals/citizens from a country. For example, US Dept. of State took out Uruguay from their list of Visa Waiver Program 5-6 yrs ago after knowing that most people from this country involve themselves in violating the terms of their Visa Waiver Privelege by overstaying.

India is among 5 countries whose citizens are notorious for visa frauds/violations, which is why India is not treated as like other countries which are included in Visa Waiver Program. And it's a common sense that people from rich countries wouldn't involve themselves in committed visa frauds/violations in order to move here; instead they do it thru a proper process. Yes, there are a few cases of violating the terms of their visa/privilege, but they are rare. So, that's why US has an easy policy on issuing a tourist visa to people from developed (rich) countries. I know many people who couldn't get a tourist visa from their home countries even they tried numeours times...they somehow were able to go to some rich countries in Europe (like in Switzerland, Norway and etc) and were easily able to get a tourist visa from there. Though State Dept. rules state that a person can obtain a nonimmigrant visa only from his/home country unless s/he is in transit or it's not safe for the applicant to be in his/her home country. So, I don't know how those people were able to get a tourist visa from Switzerland and Norway...it could be because they were all beautiful young women...so who knows consular officers might have gotten easy on them....I duno how...just my opinion...

On the subject of US tourist visa then issuing a tourist visa solely remains a discretionary authority of a consular officer. Meaning a consular can deny a tourist visa to a billionaire despite of him/her having so much ties to his/her countries, but can approve a visa to a homeless who doesn't even have shoes on...Believe me, I've seen this by my own eyes, and not once, rather many times. So, if someone gets a tourist visa then it doesn't mean that s/he was eligible/qualified for it; rather s/he was just lucky to get it. That's all. It all depends on the consular officers.

Also, there is no appeal to the denial of a tourist visa, but applicants are free to re-apply it if new facts/evidences/circumstances occur. Nobody could change/interfere in the decision of a consul when it comes to a tourist visa, not even US Ambssador nor US Dept. of State even though Consular officers work under them.

If someone would to give any shot to their cause then applicants can write to the Supervisor of Consular/Visa section in the US consulate/embassy and request to review the decision again if applicant believes consular didn't review their application carefully. And if still nothing would change then applicant can choose to write to US Dept. of State in Washington DC for an Advisory Opinon, but keep it in mind that even US Dept. of State cannot change a consular officer's decision, instead State Dept. would just issue an opinion to the consular officer who made the initial decision...only if State Dept. would feel an issuance of visa was warranted given the fact/evidence in the case. At that point, consular officer might change his initial decision, but s/he is not obligated to change it.

By the way, US consulate denied a tourist visa to someone I know well who lived in the US for 30 yrs and worked for the US govt. since 70s. All of her children are US born children. She was a US citizen who gave up her citizenship after the death of her husband when she decided to live in India. She is now 59 yrs old and has a sound life there along with 4 of her children while one of her children is here, yet still US embassy denied a tourist visa to her many times by telling her that she could be a possible immigrant who would try to live in the US.....So, do the math....

As for the discussion over here on India's current situation then I agree 100% on everything what has been said about India. India has changed so much lately. People's standard is high now. Until 8-10 yrs ago, a federal clerk in India used to make only $25-$50/a month, but lately the same clerk is making $1000 or more a month. And in private sectors, the salary is many times than this. Business is flourishing over there. Not only American comapanies but also from most developed countries have offices/businesses over there. So many Americans are now working there because they are getting more salary than here. No wonder now there is at least 6-8 airlines fly everyday to most cities in India while a few years back this was not the case.

Indian movie actors make more money than actors make in Hollywood. For example, Indian movie star-Sharukh Khan made $69M last year alone. Sharukh Khan is just one of the Indian actors while there are so many actors/actresses making filthy money. Even Stallone (Rocky Bolboa) and CA Gov. Arnold are shooting today for an Indian movie in Los Angles with Indian movie actor- Askhay Kumar and Kareen Kapoor. Will Smith offered the role of leading lady in his newly released movie to Indian actress-Ashwariya Rai but she refused. Will Smith has desperately desired to work in Indian movies. He even went there last year with his wife and performed in a film award ceremony. I don't think there is any Hollywood actor making such money in a year. In almost every Indian movie, they have American girls dancers who work and live there even though they don't understand the songs they dance for.

India is totally a different country now unlike it was before. Many Indians are moving back to India from here. I know at least 200 Indian business people who moved back to India 2-3 yrs ago after living here for more than 25 yrs. Indians are highest tourists recorded in Switzerland, England, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, and New Zealand. United States and the world have finally realized India's presence unlike in the past when India was totally unknown to the whole world. No wonder there have been a much talk about India and China all the time by Presidential candidates and congress people. India is a nuclear power and the biggest democracy in the world. Most people (89%) in there own houses unlike here. And of course, gold jewlery is a must for Indian people as per their culture. And I don't think I need to say how much those gold would worth now given the current price of the gold now. I could go on and on to describe how much India has changed but I don't have time for that as of now. I'm not saying India is better than US, instead all I'm saying is that India has completely changed. People have a very good life and high living standard over there.

As for someone to think to get their parents a GC so that they could come here to visit them since their parents are/were unable to get a tourist visa then I don't think it's a good idea. Why? Because it's not worth because green card is given to live here and not to use it as a mean to visit here. USCIS would find out sooner or later then all the worth of spending money/time/energy would be worthless.

 

[Jackolantern]

Yes they did.
These are my friends from medical school, all are specialists and earn the equivalent of $80,00 to $130000 a year. They got visas to the UK, Ireland and the schengen countries without having to appear at the consulate for an interview. They have no intention of staying in the USA. ( certainly not economic migrants, are they?)

I didn't say they were. I was just asking questions about how effectively they presented their case at the embassy.

Please get over your stereotyped assumptions.

I am not making stereotyped assumptions. It is a statistical fact that India in general is significantly poorer than the US and most European countries, and that most jobs pay less in India than the same job in the US. Somehow you feel it is a personal attack, or you feel some personal shame for being from a relatively poor country, so you want to deny the facts. I am also from a relatively poor country compared to the US and Europe. And I don't feel any shame in it. I had nothing to do with making my country as poor as it is.

 

[TheRealist]

Yes they did.
These are my friends from medical school, all are specialists and earn the equivalent of $80,00 to $130000 a year. They got visas to the UK, Ireland and the schengen countries without having to appear at the consulate for an interview. They have no intention of staying in the USA. ( certainly not economic migrants, are they?)

Economic migrants? Quite possible, since doctors easily make much more than $80,000 to $130,000 per year here in the US. Certainly not economic refugees, but economic migrants, probably yes!

ALL F-1 students solemnly assure the US consular official that they will leave the US upon completion of their studies. Do they? No. 99% don't return and they know all along what they are going to do.

The key is whether the consular official is convinced of one's intent to return or not. In your friends' cases, maybe they were not planning on staying here. But who knows, given the fact that thousands of Indian doctors come to the US to permanently settle down?

That being said, yes many consular visa rejections are arbitrary and unjustified.

 

[Jackolantern]

ALL F-1 students solemnly assure the US consular official that they will leave the US upon completion of their studies. Do they? No. 99% don't return and they know all along what they are going to do.

Actually, most go back when they're finished studying. Many study in fields where it is almost impossible to get an H1, and the H1 quota is too small to accommodate the 100,000+ who graduate each year (a quota that also gets used by those who get hired outside the US). Yes, some get married to a US citizen, but for the most part the F-1 students do leave the US after graduation or OPT. That includes myself ... I left the US for 5 years before returning with an H1.

 

[CrossHairs]

Actually, most go back when they're finished studying. Many study in fields where it is almost impossible to get an H1, and the H1 quota is too small to accommodate the 100,000+ who graduate each year (a quota that also gets used by those who get hired outside the US). Yes, some get married to a US citizen, but for the most part the F-1 students do leave the US after graduation or OPT. That includes myself ... I left the US for 5 years before returning with an H1.

Jackolantern,

I dont know if you or anyone can find the data for: How many F1 students go back and how many F1 students (total from all countries) continue to stay in USA? Whats the % split?

And if you do the same % split for students from say, India or China, since they are higher in number, then it will be interesting as well.

 

[boatbod]

I hope this post is not deleted by the person(moderator) who deleted my previous post.

What does Indian acting go to do with US Citizenship? Niceuser, your posts are more likely to survive longer if they STAY ON TOPIC.

 

[JohnnyCash]

Nice,

Just you to know that I did read your other post other day before it got deleted, but I felt not to answer to it...not only because of having no time but I realized that no matter what I would say, you would still have your own opinions. Besides, I didn't want to talk about something not related to immigration. Now I'm choosing to answer some of your statements so that others would know more about facts than just opinions. And rest assured I will not respond any further on this topic as it would be a waste of my time....

Your statements show that you know a little about India. I don't know when you were in India last time, but I go there 4 times a year, and not only to big cities but also villages too. So, what I have said earlier wasn't just my opinions, rather based upon my own eyewitnessed facts. I don't nor have any intention to mislead readers about any information, nor I'm saying that India is better than US...The truth is India would hardly be closer to US even in 50 yrs. I tell what I know. Yes, there might be a disagreement sometimes whenever someone says anything on a public forum, but so be it. I'm not here to make people to agree with me with whatever I say; instead I'm here to say what I know. It's up to readers to take whatever they prefer.

When I said earlier about India being completely changed then I was actually refering to how far India has come when it comes to changes compared to how it was last 8-10 yrs ago. Have you seen the infrastructure in India lately in almost every big city in there??? If you have, then you would have known what I was/am talking about. Yes, majority of Indian people still live in villages but then the core fact is that these villagers don't like to change nor they want to accept any changes, which is a hard fact. So, you cannot expect any prosperity reaching to them. And if anyone tries to change their ways, they do anything, including taking the laws in their hands. They love the way they have been living, and anytime someone talks about a change to them, not only they rule that out but also see as a sign of someone destorying their "values" and 'culture".

Besides, don't expect a third world country to be like a developed country. India is a third world country, with huge poverty and extreme corruption. So obviously, you cannot expect India to be like United States or any devolped country. Nevertheless, how far India has come in just a few years is remarkable which nobody can doubt about it...that's why no wonder why the whole world has now acknowledged and recognized India. Until a few years ago, India was kinda totally unknown to whole world. America and Americans never talked much about India before, nor Indians were much appreciated and acknowledged here before. Latinos, blacks, Asians (oriental like China/Japan etc) and middle easterners have always been first priority to western world over India, but things have changed lately.

Most foreign born doctors in US, Australia and England are of Indian origin. Most small scale businesses are being operated by Indians in North America. Poverty level has decreased in India. If someone doesn't have a skilled job, doesn't work or live in a rural area where not much opportunity then you cannot expet that person's life to be changed which is same to fact here and everywhere else. Most people who live in villages in India are either not educated at all or a bit of educated. And even if some are well-educated then they don't want to go to places to work where opportunities lie. We all know that in small places (like villages in India) in anywhere in the world, there is not much opportunity to seek a good job, schooling and medical facilities. No one would open a good university/school/business or anything of that nature in a very small places. Remember, they are in the business to make money than doing a charity work...

As for you saying about farmers having committed suicide in India due to crop failure and their inability to pay their dues then it was their stupidity and frustration than you judging the financial status or mindset of Indians. Billions of people around the globe face financial hardship at least once in their lives, but they don't suicide. American economy has completely shattered. Millions of jobs lost, prices of foods and stuffs have went so up. People are finding themselves in a very hard situation to pay off their debts, but they are not killing themselves. So, you cannot bring these suicide to prove your point that India is not finacially sound because poverty is in every country including in develped countries including in the United States. Besides, I never said that India is financially sound. And when I said that Indians have a high living standard then I was meant for most people than everyone. We can never speak for everyone on any issue.

As for telling about acting and other blah...blah about Indian actors then I didn't say anything about their acting and their motive and what they were before becoming actors and whether they are good actors or bad ones...etc...Instead all I simply said how much money they are making and that even many Hollywood actors are working for Bollywood. That's all. And the reasoning for me to have mentioned about these movie stars because I was making the point how money these Indian movie actors are making compared to Hollywood actors in order to prove my point that India is not the same as it was before...

But since you have already touched the topic of their acting ability then I know well that actor-Akshay Kumar had worked in a resturant in Thailand before becoming an actor, but in your previous posting which was deleted you said that he was working in a dhaba kinda resturant and blah...blah...blah which is not true at all. You don't know much about his history. He went there to learn Karate/Ku-fu, and to support his learning and living, he worked as a chef in a resturant in there. Upon coming back from there, he became a Karate teacher in Bombay. One of your students told him one day that he could try to become an actor because of his look. He tried and got some small roles here and there, and then slowly but surely he worked his way up and became what he is now. He is the second highest tax paid actor in Bollywood now.

By the way, what is wrong for him to have worked whatever while he was in Thailand so long he was making honest money??? At least, he worked hard and was making honest money. People do all kinda of job while going to college or learning. For example, another big named movie star- Fardeen Khan washed dishes in a resturant here while he was stuyding in MA. The strange part is-he is the son of rich father (Firoz Khan) who was himself a big named actor in 60s and 70s. His uncle is Sanjay Khan who is also very rich and was an actor in 60s and 70s like his father. His family is very rich. I can go on and on telling you about other big named actors history as to who they were and what they did before becoming an actor but it doesn't matter, instead matter is what they are now. Do you know who was Phoolan Devi? She was member of Parliament (a Senator) at the time she died but she was a bandit before who killed thousands of people and there was a big prize on her (alive or dead)...she was a rape vicitm as well by hundreds of rich men...So, it doesn't matter who someone was before, instead who someone is latter is all matter.

As for Shar Rukh Khan's acting then I've heard in the media about some people not liking his acting and saying the same what you are saying. Even one of my sisters thinks the same about him as you do, but there would always be some people who wouldn't like you. So it doesn't matter so long he is loved and appreciated by millions around the world. If his acting and talent is so poor then he had not been an actor...let alone a superstar. He wouldn't be making that kind of filfhy money nor he would have millions of fans around the globe...not only Indians but people from other world too. I have attended his shows/concerts many times even in Europe, Trindad and in Asia, and couldn't believe when I saw many foreign people were there to see him. You and others might not like him or his acting which is fine, but he is loved and appreciated by billions around the world which is all matter.

As for you saying about him faking his voice and facial gesture then movie is about acting and entertainment, and not about reality. Most actors around the world have their own style like Amitabh Bachhan who has his own singature dance. You need to understand that movie business around the globe is to make money than anything else. So long people pay money to see/hear bad acting, bad moives, bad music, then it doesn't matter what is right and what is wrong. No wonder why all these rappers here becoming multi millionaires, including Iced-T, Fifty Cents, etc....And it's true that most of those white dancers are Russians but half of them Americans as well. I know this because I read many articles in last 4 years about them hiring from Vegas, NYC and LA.

I'm not trying to change your views about India, Indians or Indian actors/movies or anything like that, instead I'm saying what I know and witnessed. You do not have to agree with me...I am not interested to respond to your posting anymore especially on this subject because I already saw you know a very little about India...

Three facts though...First, most students (83%) from India, don't go back which is the statistics from INS. Secondly, average people's lives in India is much lower than people in America. Thirdly, govt. in India is very corruped and unattended as it doesn't even provide clean water and enough electricity to their citizens since electricity often goes out even in a good neighorhood even in shimmering summer. I think providing electricity, clean water and pollution free air all the time should be the main priority to Indian govt. but unfortunately this is not the case even though India has come so far...So sad...