Visitor Visa or Green Card for Parents

[Jaiho 0]

Hello All,

Thanks for keeping this place so very helpful for all needy ppl. I am Naturalized USC for past + years. I want to invite my mother (Age 60+ Yrs.who is in India right now) to come to US to spend some time with me. I would like to know what is the easiest way

Bring her on Visitor Visa as this may be quicker and requires less paper work to begin with or Should I file for het Green Card right away. I am not sure if she is going to like living here or not. So I am thinking to begin with Visitor Visa and if she likes here then later file for AOS to get the Green Card. Please share your experience /thoughts.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

With a visitor visa, she can stay up to 6 months at a time.

With a Green Card, she needs to stay most of the time in the US.

I think a visitor's visa would be a great idea, as your mother would be able to see the USA, and find out if she would like to live here or rather come and visit every year or every other year. The PROBLEM is to get a visitor visa. The immigration people are trained to assume that any visitor would just want to stay in the US. Your mother therefore needs to show that she has such strong ties to India that she will return. Many people have problems accomplishing this.

[Jaiho 0]

With a visitor visa, she can stay up to 6 months at a time.

With a Green Card, she needs to stay most of the time in the US.

I think a visitor's visa would be a great idea, as your mother would be able to see the USA, and find out if she would like to live here or rather come and visit every year or every other year. The PROBLEM is to get a visitor visa. The immigration people are trained to assume that any visitor would just want to stay in the US. Your mother therefore needs to show that she has such strong ties to India that she will return. Many people have problems accomplishing this.

She has home and some other property in her name. her pension also get paid in India. Rest of my family (Brother , sisters their kids and all other relatives) are in India. I am all by myself in USA. Soon I am going to get married myself. Even then its just my would be supouse is going to be with me. Will that help or what else I should start gathering to make her case at immigration office?

[hobokenworkingman 4]

She has home and some other property in her name. her pension also get paid in India. Rest of my family (Brother , sisters their kids and all other relatives) are in India. I am all by myself in USA. Soon I am going to get married myself. Even then its just my would be supouse is going to be with me. Will that help or what else I should start gathering to make her case at immigration office?

actually for someone like her who is 60+, an immigrant visa should not be a problem at all, or a visitor visa as for that matter. it is certainly not as difficult as someone who is younger and has less ties. my suggestion is that if you have the time and patience, to go ahead and actually apply for a green card for her. it'll take a little longer, but well worth having. that way, she can come and go as she pleases if she doesnt like it here. w/ a visitor visa, its pretty much a 1 shot and then you have to reapply (although i dont know the procedure well enough...)...

[familytime 0]

actually for someone like her who is 60+, an immigrant visa should not be a problem at all, or a visitor visa as for that matter. it is certainly not as difficult as someone who is younger and has less ties. my suggestion is that if you have the time and patience, to go ahead and actually apply for a green card for her. it'll take a little longer, but well worth having. that way, she can come and go as she pleases if she doesnt like it here. w/ a visitor visa, its pretty much a 1 shot and then you have to reapply (although i dont know the procedure well enough...)...

As OP said if his mom didn't like to stay here then GC will be invalid as you need to be in USA once every 6 months. In his situation I guess starting with Visitor visa is better option. It just my 2 cents. I am no expert in immigration matters by any imagination.