DS-156 questions

[Susma Sen]

I just want to confirm some answers in DS 156, any recommendations will be very helpful.

- have you made specfic travel arrangements
No

- At what address will you stay in US
2 addresses
my address ( daughter ) and another relative in US

- who will pay for your trip?
my son-in-law ( or should the case be stronger with son-in-law & self )

- Purpose of your trip ?
tourism and meeting family ( or only tourism is recommended ? , although meeting family is obvious !)

- When you intend to arrive in the US ?
Depends upon when I get VISA

Also, if my husband sponsers the trip, whose birth certificate is required?
Is my birth certificate and marriage certificate suffice ?

Thanks.

[jaya06]

Here are the answers to some of your questions..

1) have you made specfic travel arrangements
No

2) At what address will you stay in US
daughter's address (you don't have space to write two addresses there. They may visit your relatives, but I guess your address will be their primary address, right? Then, write your address)

4) Purpose of your trip ?
tourism and to meet my daughter (I suggest you not to mention about your relative who is in USA. Ask your parents to mention that they will tour the country while also visiting their daughter and her family. They may go and visit their friends and relatives once they land in USA, but it is suggested to not mention about them at the interview.)

5) When you intend to arrive in the US ?
If their interview is in December, they can select a month 'after' december and ask them to write it there. They can always change their plans. (For example, my parents attended the interview in Aug-06 and we mentioned 'Sep-06' as the probable time for travel, but in reality they are coming here in October. Unless the visa is granted no one can make specific arrangements. An approximate month/year is enough - no need of a firm date.

Your birth certificate (to prove that you are their daughter) and your marriage certificate (to prove that your husband is related to your family and that in fact he is their son-in-law) is required. Your husband's birth certificate is not required, but as a sponsorer, he needs to send his passport, visa status/GC, pay stubs, employment verification letter, bank statments, I-134 etc. (It doesn't hurt to send his birth certificate if you have it handy..)

[Susma Sen]

Thanks for your reply.
I will not mention any relatives, if this weakens the case, as the real intention to visit is to meet us & see some places, and I will state that.

Do u have any advise for

- who will pay for your trip?
answer -- My son -in law & my savings in INDia OR son-in-law only ( as my father is retired )

- also my mom passed away last year , so I am very worried that marital status: widowed, will result in direct refusal without seeing further documents. However, my parents had visited 6 years back (for 4 weeks) on visitor visa.

Thanks a lot for your guidance & help,
Susma

[ForumReader]

Susma Sen,

For the question "Who will pay for my trip" - Just answer "Son-in-law".
You dont have to have to add "my savings in india". It just complicates things.

Also, as for your father being single, it should not matter as long as you can prove that you are not a potential immigrant. In your dad's case, he has already been here once and been here just for one month. He had six months of stay approved then, but he returned in a month, proving that is not a potential immigrant. That should do :) . And I am sure it should just be a walk in the park this time. I would not be surprised if he is not even asked a single question this time.

Best of Luck !

-San

[jaya06]

Susma Sen,

For the question "Who will pay for my trip" - Just answer "Son-in-law".
You dont have to have to add "my savings in india". It just complicates things.

Also, as for your father being single, it should not matter as long as you can prove that you are not a potential immigrant. In your dad's case, he has already been here once and been here just for one month. He had six months of stay approved then, but he returned in a month, proving that is not a potential immigrant. That should do :) . And I am sure it should just be a walk in the park this time. I would not be surprised if he is not even asked a single question this time.

Best of Luck !

-San

I ask you to be cautious and prepare your father thoroughly for his interview.

(My MIL was here 6yrs ago on a 6 month visa. She left back to India in 5 months i.e. before the expiry of the I-94. She was rejected THREE times in the past 1.5 yrs. She is a widow and has all her children and grand children in India except my husband. She has a big home, all her children in India, had been to USA earlier and left back to India on-time and hence we thought there is no question of rejection, but were upset to see her going through multiple rejections. Hence, everyone needs to be cautious each time one applies for a visa no matter how good their chances are.. )

[ForumReader]

I agree with Jaya, but I was just telling Susma that her chances are good. Since the applicant has already been through the process it should just be a easy one. In any case, complete preparation is the key :)

[Susma Sen]

I agree. As seen in other cases , coming one time, does not guarantee visa next time. Appointment is in March. Will keep my fingers crossed. Thanks.