visa for sister and niece?

[relax21]

Me and my husband are in USA, in L1B visa temporarily for work purpose. I want my parents and sister and niece to visit us during my niece's summer vacation. My parents are well off, have valuable home, bank balance and family members. Though neither of them working presently. My sister is married but separated(not legally but by understanding). She has a business in her name and files income tax. She has enough money in bank in her name, through her own business and from my father. She also has an apartment in her name back home.

She has the full physical and legal custody of her daughter(10 year old) who is enrolled in a reputed school of the city.

My question is,

1) What is their chance to get tourist visa for 4 weeks to visit us? Specially my sister's(as she is separated by understanding)?
2) Does my sister need any no objection letter for her or her daughter, from her estranged husband?

[peace999]

Please note that when you are self funding, they ask about your income ,and not look at your property or balances.
Your sister is not leaving any husband( separated) or other kids behind, so it can become tricky. If she has strong income from her business
( 10L + per year), it increases her chances.


If she has any legal papers of child custody, she would not require an NOC from husband.
But you said it is only through understanding, so my thinking is she will require one.

[relax21]

Thank you very much for your help. My sister's income is less than 10 lacs. So, will it be good idea if my father sponsors for my sister and her daughter? In that case is there any chance of her getting the visa?

Also, I talked to USA visa helpline today. They said that, my sister don't need any NOC from anyone as there is not any such rule and she is adult. So, is there a possibility that the officer at visa interview might ask NOC for my sister, though there is no such rule as one spouse should get consent from other spouse?

Thank you again in advance.

[peace999]

About NOC;
I thought you were asking about NOC for the child only. Of course your sis does not need an NOC, she is an adult.

THe US embassy New Delhi webpage says that if only one parent is appearing with the child, an NOC from the other parent is required for the child.


About your parents; do they have a source of income ( pension, rent etc). or is it just their savings they will show.

[relax21]

I can't thank you enough for your help. About my parents, my father has an income from a rent. He also has investments, from which he gets more income. Same is true for my mom. She has two apartments in her name, and she rents them for income. In addition she also has some investments from which she gets extra income. My sis has some investments as well. My sis also gets around 2.5 lakhs/year from her husband via army( her husband is a major in army). In addition all of them have LIC, medical insurance, NSC, mutual funds, ppf etc. My sister's daughter even has a 15 lakh college fund type thing going on for her, for which my sis pays premium. My mom has a small amount home loan going on in her name.

Should my sister omit the part that she is estranged from her husband and just say she has full legal custody for her daughter(she has court papers) for convenience? As her husband is in front and phone and mail communication is very unpredictable? Which is totally true by the way.

[peace999]

FOr self funding income is important. Retired parents with no pension only depending on savings and rent could become unconvincing for self funding.
WHy don't you sponsor your parents?
Your sis coming with her daughter leaving no family ties has a 50-50 chance.

I suggest let you parents apply alone first.

[relax21]

Thanks! I think I will sponsor them then. If my sister does not say that she is not in good terms with her husband, and just say, he is in army field posting, will it increase her chance?

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Also my parents do have LOT of savings( I am talking in crores). Won't even that be convincing? They both had business, and they both are now above 65 years.

[peace999]

Ok, if your parents are that well off,
they just have to handle the interview smartly.
Many times the offcers stop short at hearing "retired".

Show self funding on DS 160.
When they ask your dad about what he does and earns , he should add that
they are retired but have xxx savings ( good figure).
Also let them take proof of that.
If they file a strong income tax return , take that too.

About your sis;
If she can show a normal relationship, she will need an NOC from him for the child's interview.
If she can manage that, it will be fine. Then your dad can show that he is funding for her too.

[relax21]

Last questions:

Sorry for bugging you again and again, just the last questions now:

1) To summarize, my parents can self sponsor and sponsor my sister and niece, showing their financial ability.
2) What supporting docs my sister should show to strengthen her case?
3) Getting a NOC for my niece is not an option, so my sister should show the legal custody document and if asked, then mention that she is not in good terms with her husband, though she is married, right?
4) My mom is not that fluent in English, does it matter? If we go for our native language interview, would it be a bad idea?

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Also out of curiosity, if one takes a notarized NOC to interview for her kid, does she also have to show a photo id proof of the father to verify the signature?

[peace999]

Actually, your sis and niece may get a denial if she shows her husband is separated. The reason being no family ties.
And it is not a good idea to lie about the relationship and
present a **** NOC.

Document do not matter but if she still wants to apply, proof of her business and balance sheet of business will help.


I suggest let your parents go first.
Interview in native language is just fine.

[relax21]

I was asking about the signature proof in case she manages to get one from her husband for their child's sake. If we manage to get one, shall we just ask him to notarize it? Or shall we ask him to also attach a photocopy of his driving license for the official at visa interview ? I am just asking what is the process?

[peace999]

Because first you said that getting an NOC was not an option. So, I interpreted it differently.

No, you do not need a signature proof. Just get an NOC on his letterhead.

[relax21]

Thank you very much for your patience and the work you are doing in this forum selflessly. I am sure everybody appreciates it the way I do. Thank you again.