[danabyers]

We've agreed to help our foster mother's son obtain a travel visa to the US and understand that the best thing we can do is write a letter. I have been unable to find any specific directions online as to what this letter needs to include and to whom we mail the letter when it's done.

Does anyone have any experience with this??

Thank you!

[gwenrenee007]

I don't have any info, but I did want to say what a great thing to do.

[Shoshana]

Good luck. I have yet to meet one adoptive family who has succeeded in helping a foster family to visit the US. Apparently, the USCIS nearly always denies any Guatemalteca's request for a visa unless they have a significant amount of money and property in Guatemala to ensure their return.

I wrote a letter for a Cuban friend who is a neurologist in Mexico. We were pretty sure she'd be granted a travel visa, but just in case, I gave information about my employment and living situation and that she would be visiting with me while in the US.

[KayV]

All I know is that it is VERY difficult for Guatemalans to get travel visas to the US, unless they have a lot of money and property they're leaving behind in Guatemala, ensuring that they will be returning. I guess if you're going to write a letter, you should mention the ties they have in Guatemala and the reasons they have to return. I don't think it's real likely to work out, though.

KayV

[jeannecr]

I don't have any direct experience, but I think his chances are quite slim. My foster family told me that at least 100 Guatemalans apply for a visit visa every day the Embassy is open. On average, only 1 gets it, and that person has to have property, etc., to guarantee they won't try to stay here. I had suggested that perhaps they could visit us one day. They said, sadly, that this is impossible for almost all Guatemalans.

[PackGirl]

We did write a letter for our foster family for them to try to get a visa. Our foster mom was denied...but she will apply this year without her daughter and was told she would have a much better chance.

Anyways....

I ________ is willing to fiancially sponser __________ to come to YOUR TOWN, YOUR STATE, YOUR COUNTY, USA for vacation in MONTH, YEAR.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Name, Addy, phone number, email

Then we had it notarized.


Whoever is applying for the visa will need this letter to submit it with their application.

HTH

[Dachshund]

Do you mean Adult son, or child son? I don't know anything about the system but was thinking if it were a child son that you would be supporting that listing that his family will remain in Guatemala would be a good reason to ensure his return - Of course if it's an adult that won't work so well.
Good Luck, what a great thing to help with.

[mombyfaith]

I am sorry to say it is almost impossible.
We tried last summer to bring our 20 yr old foster sister for a visit during the summer. But because she did not own alot of property and has monetary assets, she couldn't be approved.

[JustBarbara]

I'm sorry to say I think the chances are pretty slim, especially given the recent deportations of Guatemalans by ICE. Anyone who's had their Embassy appointment will see that the place is crowded with Guatemalans who want to come to one place - the USA. Good luck - Barbara

[janhelper22]

Originally Posted by jeannecr

I don't have any direct experience, but I think his chances are quite slim. My foster family told me that at least 100 Guatemalans apply for a visit visa every day the Embassy is open. On average, only 1 gets it, and that person has to have property, etc., to guarantee they won't try to stay here. I had suggested that perhaps they could visit us one day. They said, sadly, that this is impossible for almost all Guatemalans.

There are statistics published on the State Department website showing the visa refusal rate for every country (http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/CombinedRefusalRate.pdf) for visa to visit the U.S. While not the 99% refusal rate the family said, it is high--52.3% get refused. But almost 48% get visas.

There is also a little information (Visa Denials) about what you can do to help someone get a visa---but it isn't very encouraging, as the others have said.

HOW CAN I HELP?

You may provide a letter of invitation or support. However, this cannot guarantee visa issuance to a foreign national friend, relative or student. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of an American sponsor's assurance.

I hope everything works out for you.

[apetry26]

We just wrote a letter and had it notarized by an attorney. I then sent it Fedex to the traveler as they will need to take to thier Visa interview. According to our Guatemalan friend, the letter basically needs to say what the purpose of the visit is, that you will take responsibility for the traveler while he/she is in the US. I also included that we were going to take care of accomodations for her getting here. She is going to stay with us for a while. That is all I know. If you have any other information, please forward it to me PM...

Thanks,
Angie

[drasusi]

I have not tried to help any Guatemalan friends to get visas, but have written several letters for Mexican friends. The only successful applicant was a friend who was in medical school, who had a letter from me stating that he was coming to do a clinical observation, and that I would be responsible for all expenses while he was here. He had to show current enrollment at medical school, and his most recent grades, so that they knew he wasn't flunking out and coming to the US to escape that failure. Unfortunately, though the other friends also were truly just planning to visit, they didn't have enough "resources" at home to convince the embassy that they would return.
Good luck!

[jpl]

I am trying to write a letter for our foster mom to spend christmas with us. who didi you address the letter to and what is most important to include

thanks!

[ej-momtobe]

I have seen this subject come up a few times. I seem to recall one AP saying that they were able to get a visa for their foster mom. If you are a good searcher, you might try searching older posts...i think it was about 4 months ago.

[danabyers]

I wish I could help, but we were trying to write a letter for our foster mother's son and learned he would not be approved because he had no family to support or property owned that he would want to return to in Guatemala, as a means of proving he'd not try to remain in the US. I have heard this working for foster mothers, though, so I wish you the best of luck!!