How can I obtain a tourist visa for a child?

Question

I was wondering how I can obtain a tourist visa... My step son lives in panama and we would like to bring him to the united states for christmas and I was wondering what I have to do to make this happen and where I can go on the internet to get more information, please help..

Answer 1

Unaccompanied minors are not admitted to the US -- or most countries, for that matter.  Immigration authorities worldwide are cracking down on child trafficking, illegal immigration, bogus "foreign adoption" schemes, child smuggling, and non-custodial parents absconding with their child.  

If your stepson is under 18, it is best for you to go see the child.  It really is not safe for children to travel alone these days anyway.  It would be extrememly unwise of you to try to get a child traveling alone into the US.

BTW, you cannot get a tourist visa into the US for someone else outside of the US.  The person traveling has to apply, and must prove sufficient funds for the trip and all the routine tourist expenses: round-trip plane ticket, hotel, restaurant meals, sightseeing, etc.  If you send the person an "invitation" and they have no travel funds, etc., it looks like you are instigating an illegal immigration scheme, and that raises red flags with immigration authorities.