bring mother and youngest sister from Vietnam to US

[Jenna Doan 2]

Hi!

my case is : I submitted N-400 a week ago. if everything is fine, I'll become US citizen in the end of this year ( i hope so). after becoming a US citizen, I would love to bring my biological mother and sister come to US as permanent residents. my sister is 20 yrs old, my mother is 55 yrs old. my questions are:

- Can I sponsor both of them at a same time?

- how long does it take to bring mother or sibling to US?

- or should i bring my mother to US first? after she becomes permanent resident, she can bring my sister to US later.

- which way is faster and better?

I want to say thanks in advance any comments and advice. appreciate all.

thank you!

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

It's faster for you to petition for your mom once you're a USC. Once she is in the US as an LPR, she can petition for her daughter (your sister). Your sister needs to remain unmarried throughout the process.

[Jenna Doan 2]

It's faster for you to petition for your mom once you're a USC. Once she is in the US as an LPR, she can petition for her daughter (your sister). Your sister needs to remain unmarried throughout the process.

thanks EM_Vandaveer! What does LPR stand for? Do you know how long it takes to bring my mother to US? and how long does it take for my mother bring my sister to US?

thanks again.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

LPR - Legal permanent resident.

It will take about 1 year from I-130 petition to Consular process to complete for your Mother.

As for your sister, once your mother enters US, she can file the petition under F2B preference (your sister probably would have aged out of F2A preference.

F2B takes about 7 years.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2016/visa-bulletin-for-july-2016.html

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

You can petition for your mother and your sister.

You can bring your mother even if you are LPR but you can't bring your sibling if you are LPR.

So after your naturalization, petition for your mother and your sister. I believe you need separate petitions (I-130). Just make sure the birth certificate shows you both have the same mother or if she is your sister by adoption, then add the paperwork for that.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/siblings/bringing-siblings-live-united-states-permanent-residents

[Jenna Doan 2]

LPR - Legal permanent resident.

It will take about 1 year from I-130 petition to Consular process to complete for your Mother.

As for your sister, once your mother enters US, she can file the petition under F2B preference (your sister probably would have aged out of F2A preference.

F2B takes about 7 years.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2016/visa-bulletin-for-july-2016.html

oh really???????? take 7 yrs for my sister come to US???? what a bad news!! she will be sad to hear this.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You can petition for your mother and your sister.

You can bring your mother even if you are LPR but you can't bring your sibling if you are LPR.

So after your naturalization, petition for your mother and your sister. I believe you need separate petitions (I-130). Just make sure the birth certificate shows you both have the same mother or if she is your sister by adoption, then add the paperwork for that.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/siblings/bringing-siblings-live-united-states-permanent-residents

NO. You have to be a US Citizen to petition for parent.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/parents/bringing-parents-live-united-states-permanent-residents

oh really???????? take 7 yrs for my sister come to US???? what a bad news!! she will be sad to hear this.

Well, if you file for her under F4 (sibling category), it will take even longer, 13 years

[Jenna Doan 2]

You can petition for your mother and your sister.

You can bring your mother even if you are LPR but you can't bring your sibling if you are LPR.

So after your naturalization, petition for your mother and your sister. I believe you need separate petitions (I-130). Just make sure the birth certificate shows you both have the same mother or if she is your sister by adoption, then add the paperwork for that.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/siblings/bringing-siblings-live-united-states-permanent-residents

i think you might have a mistake at bringing mother to USA as a LPR. https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents

because i did look it up before, i could not bring my mother here while I was a LPR.

anyway, thanks for your advice about petition my mom and sister at a same time.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

NO. You have to be a US Citizen to petition for parent.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/parents/bringing-parents-live-united-states-permanent-residents

Well, if you file for her under F4 (sibling category), it will take even longer, 13 years

Thanks for the correction..

[Jenna Doan 2]

NO. You have to be a US Citizen to petition for parent.

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/parents/bringing-parents-live-united-states-permanent-residents

Well, if you file for her under F4 (sibling category), it will take even longer, 13 years

i wont tell her this bad news until i can figure out other ways. if there are no better ways, i have no choices, i'll tell her the truth. we want our family stay together.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

i think you might have a mistake at bringing mother to USA as a LPR. https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents

because i did look it up before, i could not bring my mother here while I was a LPR.

anyway, thanks for your advice about petition my mom and sister at a same time.

I see the mistake now.. my bad.

SO it is best to apply for your mum first, then your mum applies for your sister. The difference will be 6yrs.

You apply for mum and she applies for your sister= 7yrs

You apply for both,your sister waits for= 13yrs

And you can always try the lottery for her if your home country is eligible.

Good luck!

[Jenna Doan 2]

I see the mistake now.. my bad.

SO it is best to apply for your mum first, then your mum applies for your sister. The difference will be 6yrs.

You apply for mum and she applies for your sister= 7yrs

You apply for both,your sister waits for= 13yrs

And you can always try the lottery for her if your home country is eligible.

Good luck!

thankssss a lot !!! feel down now. take too long time.

[squareleg 69]

oh really???????? take 7 yrs for my sister come to US???? what a bad news!! she will be sad to hear this.

Your sister can avail other visas - education/F1, work/H1b. And, she can remain here legally and some of the visa provide you a path to residency/greencard.

[Jenna Doan 2]

Your sister can avail other visas - education/F1, work/H1b. And, she can remain here legally and some of the visa provide you a path to residency/greencard.

you gave me a good idea now. did not think of it before. can you tell me more detail???

can she get another visa like studying F1 or Working H1b while my mother petition her to US ?

[squareleg 69]

F1 - this is student visa. You can help yourself with finding information surrounding it along with eligibility requirements.

H1b - this is work visa. Subsequent to complementing your studies in the USA, one receives an OPT period to work. If you find an employer who sponsors...that will assist in applying for H1b visa. Further, this visa is valid upto 6-years depending upon renewals and employment. Various employers also file for greencard (separate category of employment based). If you sister works for a company that has clients or business in US, she can apply for work visa directly from her country.

L1 - this is also work visa allowing you to relocate to US provided your sister's employer has office in US. This visa also provides a path to greencard.

You can simultaneously apply for her greencard. No limit on how many petitions. You just need one to reach finish line and rest will be void.

Edited June 28, 2016 by squareleg