Kidney Transplant

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

I truly hope your sister in law can get what she needs but maybe you should contact the hospital where the surgery would take place for guidance? There’s a lot more going in to it than just getting a visa. Are you sure you’re wife’s insurance will cover the sister? That sounds extremely unlikely. Also- I believe she may need anti rejection medications for a period of time if not forever- is that something she can get in the Philippines? Is that something she can afford both here or there? 
I know that if a person doesn’t have insurance and/or straight Medicare they won’t even get put on a transplant list because they wouldn’t be able to afford the meds. Now I don’t know if it’s different when it’s a planned donor match... but there’s a lot to think of.

[Cathi 5,782]

Just because she's a sibling, does not in any way, shape or form guarantee that she'll be a match.

 

 

[SalishSea 18,073]

44 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

I truly hope your sister in law can get what she needs but maybe you should contact the hospital where the surgery would take place for guidance? There’s a lot more going in to it than just getting a visa. Are you sure you’re wife’s insurance will cover the sister? That sounds extremely unlikely. Also- I believe she may need anti rejection medications for a period of time if not forever- is that something she can get in the Philippines? Is that something she can afford both here or there? 
I know that if a person doesn’t have insurance and/or straight Medicare they won’t even get put on a transplant list because they wouldn’t be able to afford the meds. Now I don’t know if it’s different when it’s a planned donor match... but there’s a lot to think of.

The anti-rejection meds would only be for the organ recipient, which sounds like is OP's LPR wife.  Donor (sister in Philippines) will not need them.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

2 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

The anti-rejection meds would only be for the organ recipient, which sounds like is OP's LPR wife.  Donor (sister in Philippines) will not need them.

Thanks- totally thought the recipient was the sister out of the country! 

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

12 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

proof of ability to cover all expenses involved would certainly be a requirement for a visa. 

Agreed, the average cost of a kidney transplant is $400k+ USD

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

4 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

The anti-rejection meds would only be for the organ recipient, which sounds like is OP's LPR wife.  Donor (sister in Philippines) will not need them.

Ah ok, make sense now, pls ignore my last, was thinking recipient was in the Philippines 

[Jim Miller745 0]

15 hours ago, JonSeattle said:

I would expect that the fact that the insurance company wouldn't cover a procedure like that in another country should take care of that concern.

 

If the sister is not a match, she can still do paired donor transplant, where donors are swapped.

 

The guidance that USCIS will follow is here: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-parole/guidance-evidence-certain-types-humanitarian-or-significant-public-benefit-parole-requests

 

You spouse will have to go on the Organ Transplant Waiting List. I don't know how that will affect the waiting time.

my spouse is on the waiting list for two  years,,,,surgery will be done UAS not philippines

[Jim Miller745 0]

6 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

Agreed, the average cost of a kidney transplant is $400k+ USD

I already have letter form insurance agreeing top cover costs

[carmel34 3,650]

41 minutes ago, Jim Miller745 said:

I already have letter form insurance agreeing top cover costs

You've received good advice here so far.  Send her sister the letter from the insurance company showing all medical expenses are guaranteed for both donor and recipient, including complications if any, plus a letter from the hospital where the transplant will be done, confirming that she is a match medically and that they approve her as the donor.  The sister abroad may have to send tissue samples and/or blood tests to the hospital in the US for that to happen.  All this will take time. Then she applies for a B visa, pays the fee, takes all above paperwork with her to the interview.  She should also demonstrate close ties to her home country if asked, such as evidence of a job, ownership of property, family obligations, etc. as all B applicants are assumed to have immigrant intent, so she will have to overcome that and convince the officer that she will return home after the surgery and recovery.  I hope it works out for your sisters, and that your wife can get the transplant she needs soon, whether it's her sister or some other donor.  Good luck!

Edited March 8, 2020 by carmel34