Bringing a close friend and godmother to U.S?

[DrewNSue 0]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. There may not be a place in the forums at all, but it's the best place I could think of to ask this question?

My wife has a friend that she grew up with, has known for her entire life. Since we have had our child, my wife has expressed a strong desire to bring her friend to the U.S to be part of our daughter's life. I explained to my wife that bringing her friend here would be a long shot, if not completely impossible. The country she is from is Thailand, which I know from expirience can be difficult to obtain a visa through. My wife and I had talked about the possiblity of employing her friend as a nanny, so that my wife can work again, so the thought of a work visa or something similar came up, and also a tourist visa, but as far as I am aware, none of them are permanent none of the options can lead to citizenship. Are there any potentially viable options available?

[YuAndDan 153]

Not possible, Family immigrations is just that for immediate family (father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, husband, wife, step son, step daughter)

[SnowyTater 0]

This sounds really sad to me, I hope you guys can find a solution

Okay, I don't know my stuff. But just possible options in my head...what if you have your wife's godmother legally adopt your wife as a daughter? Does anyone know if that'd be enough.

I don't know your wife's situation but it just sounds like they're really close, and if she basically raised her then maybe your wife doesn't really have her real parents around...? Sorry, that's a leap, but if that's true then maybe adoption would be viable. I don't know if the government considers that 'family' then, though.

The other thing I'm thinking of is any sort of work visas the godmother could get. It's a good help, I would think, that she'll have a support system when she comes into the US, a place to live sounds like, etc. She doesn't have any 'specialized skill' but really so long as she's not going to be a burden on the economy I don't see why the government would care.

Even if you could only get some sort of temporary work visas or clearances (which sorry, again, I don't know what your options would be here), and just have them renewed as much as possible, maybe this would be okay...? This is REALLY insensitive, but, how old is the godmother? It sounds like she's older to me, so maybe a plan that would last however many years but not make her a permanent citizen would be good enough...

I'd say, if you do find an option that you think gives you half a shot, to go for it. Fill out all the forms and if I were you I'd write lots of notes throughout all the paperwork explaining the special circumstances, explaining that you'll fully support her, etc. I mean the worst that can happen is they turn you down. If you can afford the filing fee then I'd go for it.

Really really, good luck!

EDIT:

You know what, I think I read this completely wrong I was reading it like the woman is your wife's godmother, not your daughter's. Looking at it now I think you meant your daughter's, oi. I'm really sorry.

Well, if she's a younger and perfectly capable woman, then go for the work visa I say, or just get a really good frequent flyer membership

Edited January 20, 2008 by SnowyTater

[DrewNSue 0]

This sounds really sad to me, I hope you guys can find a solution

Okay, I don't know my stuff. But just possible options in my head...what if you have your wife's godmother legally adopt your wife as a daughter? Does anyone know if that'd be enough.

I don't know your wife's situation but it just sounds like they're really close, and if she basically raised her then maybe your wife doesn't really have her real parents around...? Sorry, that's a leap, but if that's true then maybe adoption would be viable. I don't know if the government considers that 'family' then, though.

The other thing I'm thinking of is any sort of work visas the godmother could get. It's a good help, I would think, that she'll have a support system when she comes into the US, a place to live sounds like, etc. She doesn't have any 'specialized skill' but really so long as she's not going to be a burden on the economy I don't see why the government would care.

Even if you could only get some sort of temporary work visas or clearances (which sorry, again, I don't know what your options would be here), and just have them renewed as much as possible, maybe this would be okay...? This is REALLY insensitive, but, how old is the godmother? It sounds like she's older to me, so maybe a plan that would last however many years but not make her a permanent citizen would be good enough...

I'd say, if you do find an option that you think gives you half a shot, to go for it. Fill out all the forms and if I were you I'd write lots of notes throughout all the paperwork explaining the special circumstances, explaining that you'll fully support her, etc. I mean the worst that can happen is they turn you down. If you can afford the filing fee then I'd go for it.

Really really, good luck!

EDIT:

You know what, I think I read this completely wrong I was reading it like the woman is your wife's godmother, not your daughter's. Looking at it now I think you meant your daughter's, oi. I'm really sorry.

Well, if she's a younger and perfectly capable woman, then go for the work visa I say, or just get a really good frequent flyer membership

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm at least look into the work visa,she'd basically be a live in, full time nanny, so we would pay her, and she would have free room and board. From what I have seen, there isn't much info on the work visas (if there is, let me know ), is there a good place on the internet to find out some info on where to begin with regard to the applications for a work visa???