Caught between a rock and a hard place!
A couple of years ago, my wife (originally from Russia, now US Citizen) filed for a visitor visa for her father to come visit us in the United States. My father-in-law took a 24 hour train ride to Moscow for a two minute interview at the US Embassy in Moscow. At the end of the interview, they handed him a standard rejection letter which basically said, they were afraid that he would not return to Russia at the end of his trip. Apparently, there is no appeal process and there did not seem to be any alternative except to apply for him to receive permanent resident status. To make a long story short, he went through the process and received his Green Card - unconditional.
However, he returned to Russia for awhile and ended up staying more than a year. We figured that once you had a Green Card, you could come and go as you please. Later on we found out that if you were out of the country more than a couple of years, it was a big problem. If it was less than a year, you fill out another form. Well, as a far as we can tell, we were suppose to file for a Rentry permit (I-131) before he left. Since, we didn't know, we're filling out the DS-117 (Returning Resident Visa) form which, is $400 for the application and another $400 if and when the visa is issued.
Sounds like there is a good chance they won't give him this visa.
I subsequently read that if you are planning to be out of the country more than 5 months a year, you should get a visitor visa instead of a green card.
Our question is: What are you suppose to do if they won't give you a visitor visa?
i.e. They refused to give a visitor visa to my father-in-law because they were afraid that he would not return to Russia.
Then we get him a green card so, he can at least come and visit and now, they're complaining that he isn't staying in the country enough?
Is this ridiculous or, am I missing something?
Any thoughts/comments/suggestions greatly appreciated.
A couple of years ago, my wife (originally from Russia, now US Citizen) filed for a visitor visa for her father to come visit us in the United States. My father-in-law took a 24 hour train ride to Moscow for a two minute interview at the US Embassy in Moscow. At the end of the interview, they handed him a standard rejection letter which basically said, they were afraid that he would not return to Russia at the end of his trip. Apparently, there is no appeal process and there did not seem to be any alternative except to apply for him to receive permanent resident status. To make a long story short, he went through the process and received his Green Card - unconditional.
However, he returned to Russia for awhile and ended up staying more than a year. We figured that once you had a Green Card, you could come and go as you please. Later on we found out that if you were out of the country more than a couple of years, it was a big problem. If it was less than a year, you fill out another form. Well, as a far as we can tell, we were suppose to file for a Rentry permit (I-131) before he left. Since, we didn't know, we're filling out the DS-117 (Returning Resident Visa) form which, is $400 for the application and another $400 if and when the visa is issued.
Sounds like there is a good chance they won't give him this visa.
I subsequently read that if you are planning to be out of the country more than 5 months a year, you should get a visitor visa instead of a green card.
Our question is: What are you suppose to do if they won't give you a visitor visa?
i.e. They refused to give a visitor visa to my father-in-law because they were afraid that he would not return to Russia.
Then we get him a green card so, he can at least come and visit and now, they're complaining that he isn't staying in the country enough?
Is this ridiculous or, am I missing something?
Any thoughts/comments/suggestions greatly appreciated.