We did NOT purchase tickets. Knowing there is a good chance of being denied I did not want to BET any money on success besides the application fee. If you buy tickets and get declined it sucks. I know because before we were married she had tried to get a temp visa and was denied and we were left with a ticket that couldn't be refunded. (Luckily I could change the ticket to one for me to go there instead.) We even didn't think she would get it the second time...when she got approved she was in shock even...so surprised.
I don't remember including bank info and transaction history but this was 3 years ago now. I do remember we wrote a letter that she included with the application including more detailed information. Something like this...
This letter is to provide more information for my application.
For question 3, the purpose of my visit, the main reason is to visit my husband, his family and meet my husband’s friends. Spending the Christmas and New Years celebrations together would be a wonderful experience. There is a family BBQ early in December as well as several dinners and partys to attend. Unfortunately my son will be at home taking exams at this time due to different school schedules in Russia so he will not be able to come. I will return to celebrate Orthodox Christmas with him after the New Year and bring him gifts from our family in Canada.
We also have an application for permanent residence in process, file #1234567, we plan to check out neighborhoods and schools together in order to better prepare for when our sponsorship is eventually approved. To better prepare for our moving. Then I will return to wait for any communications from the Msocow embassy and take care of my son while he finishes the school year.
Also I wanted to explain why my work letter only grants me vacation from December 12th, 2008 to December 31st, 2008. This is because our Russian national holidays are from January 1st to January 9th for New Years and Christmas. So my trip would go until January 5th during that time. Saving me some vacation days.
I remember the first application we tried I had the feeling that it was a simple process...and I didn't want to share what I considered my personal life. I think that hurt her chances of getting that visa and she was denied.
As you see by my example above we changed that attitude and shared all the plans and ideas and personal details. You are trying to show two things... One...clear detailed plans for the visit. Basically you are trying to show good compelling reasons for her to visit. I know if I was an officer and I had two people applying...and one gave me the above reasons to visit...and the second said "for vacation"...I would be more likely to allow the person with the more detailed reasons.
And two...reasons she returns home. For us those reasons were a kid at home and continuing the PR process. It also allowed us a spot to write that we understand the process enough and are trying to follow it in that we said she is returning to Russia to wait for the next step.
I also suspect coming across as open and honest is better than coming across as private and secretive in the eyes of an officer.
Good luck!
