Mother-In-Law Visa: Can Citizens Apply?

If you're a US citizen, you can apply for a visa for your mother-in-law to visit the US. She will need to apply for a B2 tourist visa or a visitor visa at the US embassy or consulate in the country where she lives. You can also apply for a green card for your mother-in-law if she is already in the US on a B2 visa.

How to apply for a mother-in-law visa

To apply for a mother-in-law visa, your mother-in-law will need to apply for a visitor visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where she lives. This is also known as a B2 visa. She will need to prove to the consular officer that she has no intention of immigrating but just wants to visit for a brief period of time. She can do this by providing proof of substantial ties to her home country, such as a job or family, that will ensure her return.

You can improve her chances of being granted a visa by providing proof of the baby being due. It is also recommended that you, as the U.S. citizen, write the letter of invitation.

Most people don't need to hire a lawyer to get a tourist visa unless there is a questionable history in the person's past that may make it difficult to demonstrate no intent to immigrate to the U.S. permanently.

If your mother-in-law is already in the U.S. on a B2 visa, you can apply for a green card for her as her immediate family member. You will need to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) concurrently. This will allow your mother-in-law to adjust her status to a green card holder without leaving the U.S.

What type of visa does a mother-in-law need?

If you are a US citizen, your mother-in-law will need to apply for a visitor's visa or a tourist visa (B2 visa) at the US embassy or consulate in the country where she lives.

To apply for a visitor's visa, your mother-in-law will need to prove to the consular officer that she has no intention of immigrating to the US but simply wants to visit for a short period of time. She can do this by providing proof of substantial ties to her home country, such as a job or family, that will ensure her return.

If you are a US citizen, you can also apply for a green card for your mother-in-law, which would allow her to become a permanent resident. To do this, you will need to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) concurrently.

It is important to note that there is a high visa refusal rate for tourist visas for mothers-in-law due to the suspicion that they intend to immigrate and stay for an extended period of time to provide childcare for their family. Therefore, it may be beneficial to provide proof of the baby being due, if applicable, to improve her chances of visa approval.

Can a mother-in-law apply for a tourist visa?

Yes, a mother-in-law can apply for a tourist visa. She will need to apply for a visitor's visa at the US embassy or consulate in the country where she lives. She will need to prove to the consular officer that she has no intention of immigrating but just wants to visit for a brief period of time. This can be done by providing proof of substantial ties to her home country, such as a job or family, that will ensure her return.

There is a high visa refusal rate for these kinds of requests due to the suspicion that the mother-in-law is not an intending immigrant and is instead coming to stay for a long time (beyond six months) to become a full-time babysitter for the family. To avoid this, it is important to provide as much evidence as possible that the mother-in-law has strong ties to her home country and does not intend to overstay her visa.

The specific requirements for a B-2 visa may vary depending on the US embassy, so it is important to check the website for the country where your mother-in-law is from. In most cases, a lawyer is not needed to obtain a tourist visa unless there is a questionable history that may make it difficult to demonstrate no intent to immigrate.

Can a mother-in-law apply for a green card?

Yes, a mother-in-law can apply for a green card. If you are a US citizen, you can apply for a green card for your immediate family members, including your mother-in-law. You will need to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) concurrently for immediate relatives. This allows your mother-in-law to potentially adjust her status to a green card holder without leaving the US.

Your mother-in-law will need to start the process by applying for a visitor visa at the US embassy or consulate in the country where she lives. She will need to prove to the consular officer that she has no intention of immigrating but just wants to come for a brief visit. Proof of substantial ties to her home country will improve her chances of getting a visa.

There is a high visa refusal rate for these kinds of requests due to the suspicion that the applicant intends to stay for a long time and become a full-time babysitter for the family. Most people don't need to hire a lawyer to get a tourist visa unless there is a questionable history that may make it difficult to demonstrate no intent to immigrate to the US permanently.

What are the requirements for a mother-in-law visa?

Citizens can apply for a mother-in-law visa, but there are certain requirements and processes to follow.

The mother-in-law will need to apply for a visitor visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where she lives. The U.S. citizen can write a letter of invitation, which may improve her chances of being accepted.

The mother-in-law will need to prove to the consular officer that she has no intention of immigrating but is simply visiting for a brief period. She can do this by providing proof of substantial ties to her home country, ensuring her return.

It is also recommended that she provides proof of the baby being due, as this can also improve her chances of being accepted.

Each U.S. embassy has different requirements for a B-2 visa, so it is important to check the specific requirements for the country your mother-in-law is from.

Frequently asked questions