[Tiffany Brockman]

Has anyone's foster family come to visit them after they were home with their child? If so, did you have to write a letter to the embassy stating that you would like them to visit? If so, how was this done?

Our foster mother has a daughter who is 23 yrs old. She and Sophie were REALLY close, and we have become close as well since Sophie came home thru emails. We would like for her to come and visit, but she has already been denied a visa once. I have read that having someone in US "inviting" them here may help them obtain a visa to visit. Anyone have any info on this?

Thanks
Tiffany

[WVUMom418]

From what I've been told it is very hard for anyone to get a visa to visit. They need to be able to prove they have money in the bank or own land, something that will show that they will definately return.

[KayV]

There was a large thread on this subject just a few weeks ago. Pretty much impossible for them to come to the US.

KayV

[mamaskoby]

This will never happen (especially after 9/11) unless they are very wealthy with alot of assetts or cash in Guatemala.... Sorry!
Anna

[becky]

It does happen, but it is really hard. As stated above they need to have very strong ties to Guatemala and a way to prove them. This includes a business, financial holdings and property...I doubt your 23 year old foster daughter would qualify even if you did write a letter on her behalf.

[chrismelduke]

I was hoping the 6 year old daughter of Courtney's foster mother could come and visit us sometime. Do you think a child under 18 could get a visa to visit? I had no idea this would not be possible. I am so disappointed. We will just have to return to visit them.

[CashCrew]

It's so sad for sure! I don't understand how there are SO MANY Guatemalans here in the US if it is so hard. Did they just come before 9/11? I would love for our foster family to visit too, especially the daughters because they're studying English in college in Guatemala.

[Tiffany Brockman]

Well, this was a thoroughly depressing response to my question!! I guess the truth hurts sometimes. I know that the whole immigration issue is a hot topic right now, but this just makes me sad. We have a genuine wish for her to visit, and I know that she has every intention of returning to Guatemala!! It's unfair that only the "wealthy" people are allowed to travel to the US. I do know of one person on this board who did have someone from Guatemala visit, and she said that her visitor came from a wealthy family, so I'm sure that's how it happened. But, isn't there anyone out there other than her?

Okay, let's just say for a minute that my "invitation" to visit would be enough. What form would that need to come in? English, spanish, certified, authenticated?

Thanks
Tiffany

[JustBarbara]

As other posters have said ... it is extremely unlikely that you would be able to get a visa for a 23-year-old unless they can prove she has something to return home for (by that property or money in the bank that must stay in Guatemala). There are Guatemalans who are here legally and those who are here illegally. It's just very hard for anyone south of the border to get visas to the U.S. the poorer the country the more difficult it is for those nationals to get to the U.S.

PS Try getting in to Canada if you're Asian - they actually have educational and "wealth" requirements. But there you have to bring it with you.

[PackGirl]

We did provide a letter for Ernie's foster mom to come visit us. She was denied her visa....but she is going to try again. (she has to wait a year to try again)

It will really help if this person has a job and such to tie them to Guatemala.

Anyways....our letter stated that We were going to be finacially responsible for this person and that this person would be in our home.

We used everyone's legal names and used our home address. We also put in there that they embassy official could contact us at anytime.

We then had it notarized and I sent it down for her.

Her uncle was able to get a visa to the US using a very similar letter like we had written. But, she is only a college student...and she has a young daughter...but she had her daughter apply also. So...she may have had more strikes against her.

I hope that this person is able to get a visa!!!!! It may take more than one try though!

Good Luck,

[Mariais5]

I know that our agency had an employee in GC that was able to get a visa.. The agency wrote a letter stating she was employed in GC, and she was only coming to the US to visit as she was needed in GC for her job..

Our FM has family in the US, so we are hoping that she is able to get a visa at some point, but we are planning to visit Guatemala once a year too..

[JillnChris]

I know that my friend from Columbia just did this for her uncle. He is not wealthy and was denied the first time. But then she wrote a letter saying that he was to be godfather to her daughter and wanted to be present for the baptism and they granted it!

[nwparents]

The problem is that the person applying for the visitor's visa has to prove they are truly a visitor and not intent on circumventing United States law to live here permanently. Unfortunately, for those less fortunate, a one time visa often turns into a life time of residence.

This is why if the person has no ties (sons/daughters/job,etc.) and virtually no money, usually they will be denied a visitor's visa because they are not truly a visitor but an intending immigrant.

[jeannecr]

When you go to your Embassy appointment, you will see the long line of Guatemalans applying for a visa to the U.S. My foster family told me that, on average, only one person in the line per day will get approved. Our foster dad has a good job--in fact, his company sent him to Spain for training. Although Europe will let him visit, he told us sadly that he never expects to be able to come here.

[kadkins]

Our FM has family in the United States and we flew her to our home in 2005 to visit with our family for a week. She is currently living in Las Vegas, as her husband is a Minister there. Her daughter is here now, and we would love to have her visit for a while, but I am not sure what the rest of the summer holds for us. It is difficult to get a VISA to visit, but it does happen........Best of Luck!