getting parents to come here (for a visit or permanently)

[venusfire503 54]

I'm a little confused - people are talking about bringing parents of LPR and naturalized citizens here to the US. But, I don't know if it's about the parents getting visitors visas, or coming permanently. I imagine those two scenarios are completely different.

I have 4 separate questions about this:

1. It sounds like a naturalized citizen can bring parents - in about a year - to live here. Is that really true? (just curious)

2. What about bringing the parents of a naturalized citizen here on visitor's visas?

3. What about parents of a 'green card' holder getting visitor's visas? I don't just mean if it's allowed - I mean if it could actually happen (which I know might depend on the country). For instance, my SO could have applied for a visitor's visa from Morocco, but there really was no way he would've gotten one.

4. I think from what I've read, the parents of LPRs cannot come to stay permanently. Is that true?

I would absolutely love to have my in-laws visit here. One reason is that my ex will not agree to my children going there to meet them in person, and I don't think it's fair for them to wait until they are 18.

I don't think his parents would want to live here, but they might agree to visit. If it's nearly impossible for them to get here now, we would like to try once he gets his citizenship (inchalla). If we don't have to wait that long, though...

Anyway, I've looked into this a little, but whenever I see "come here", I don't know if it means "to visit" or "to stay". Just looking for a little clarification.

Thank you!

venusfire

[aaron2020 11,651]

I'm a little confused - people are talking about bringing parents of LPR and naturalized citizens here to the US. But, I don't know if it's about the parents getting visitors visas, or coming permanently. I imagine those two scenarios are completely different.

I have 4 separate questions about this:

1. It sounds like a naturalized citizen can bring parents - in about a year - to live here. Is that really true? (just curious)

Any US citizen over the age of 21 can petition for a parent to immigrate to the US. (LPRs cannot file for a parent.) It usually takes a year to get the immigration visa. The requirements are the same as bringing over a fiancee or spouse. The US citizen petitioning must file an Affidavit of Support. The immigrating parent will not qualify for any social benefits until they accumulate 40 quarters of eligible work.

2. What about bringing the parents of a naturalized citizen here on visitor's visas? The parent must apply on his/her own for a non-immigration tourist visa. The only thing the US citizen child can do is write a letter inviting the parent, give a reason for the visit and offer to paid for the parent's trip. The parent must show that he/she will not likely become an illegal immigrant by showing sufficient ties to their home country; i.e. job, family, property, etc. It is harder to get a tourist visa from poor countries which has a history of illegal immigration to the US.

3. What about parents of a 'green card' holder getting visitor's visas? I don't just mean if it's allowed - I mean if it could actually happen (which I know might depend on the country). For instance, my SO could have applied for a visitor's visa from Morocco, but there really was no way he would've gotten one.

Same answer as in 2.

4. I think from what I've read, the parents of LPRs cannot come to stay permanently. Is that true? An LPR can only petition for a spouse or an unmarried child. An LPR cannot petition for a parent.

I would absolutely love to have my in-laws visit here. One reason is that my ex will not agree to my children going there to meet them in person, and I don't think it's fair for them to wait until they are 18.

I don't think his parents would want to live here, but they might agree to visit. If it's nearly impossible for them to get here now, we would like to try once he gets his citizenship (inchalla). If we don't have to wait that long, though...

Anyway, I've looked into this a little, but whenever I see "come here", I don't know if it means "to visit" or "to stay". Just looking for a little clarification.

Thank you!

venusfire

Edited May 30, 2009 by aaron2020