Emergency visa for my father

[HMM1234 19]

Hi

I am a US citizen. My father lives in another country. He has diabetes and prostate issues. I want to apply an emergency visa for him. I do understand that emergency visas are granted on medical basis, I can attach reports from his doctor with the emergency request, but my question is that how will it work here in US? 

1. Do I need a doctor here as well before his arrival?

2. Do I need to buy insurance for him? Or he will qualify for medicare here? He is above 70.

3. Should I take the emergency route or should I call him on B1/B2? 

 

Plz guide, lot of confusions in my mind.

I would really appreciate if someone can guide in this regard.

[Timona 4,207]

There's no emergency visa.

 

Are you sure you have enough $$ for his treatment in US? I don't think any insurance company will wanna pay into this

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

He can get medical treatment on a tourist visa (B2) but there's no specific "emergency visa" for medical treatment. He would have to go through the standard process (apply for the tourist visa, wait for an interview, etc.). Unfortunately, I do not think it is likely he would be granted a tourist visa. With a U.S. Citizen child and significant health issues, USCIS will likely see him as high-risk for overstaying his visa/trying to adjust status once he is here. Is he in Pakistan currently? Has he ever traveled to the U.S. before? 

 

@Timona raises a valid point about the cost as well. 

[Boiler 45,313]

Travel for Medical Treatment
If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:

Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).

[HMM1234 19]

Thankyou for your reply. I think I should have said emergency request for a visa. A friend recently got one for her mother because she had an infant to take care of. Daycare was not willing to take her fussy child and she had to join job. She didn't have any other help. She applied for an emergency request for visa and her mother was granted one. So I thought may be I can use the same approach as well. 

 

Secondly I understand your point regarding the cost. That's my question, will he be able to get Medicare as he is 70+ or medi cal? I live in California.

 

Thirdly, he has unmarried children in Pakistan. My mother died two years back so he can't leave them alone there, no chance of staying and change of status until my siblings get married. I might apply for his immigration once my siblings are settled. 

 

Any suggestions now? Should I go for B1/B2 without mentioning medical issues?

 

[Boiler 45,313]

Do I need to buy insurance for him? Or he will qualify for medicare here? He is above 70.

 

Medicare is for those people who have earned it or Permanent Residents who have been here 5 years and buy into it.

 

I do not know how things work in Pakistan but I doubt there is anything that would cover US costs.

 

Practically you or he will be paying out of pocket.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

The emergency visa is a B1/B2 that is expedited.

 

You need to apply for it normally and request for an emergency appointment at the time of scheduling the interview.

You need to provide proof such as "a letter from the doctor who is treating or will treat you or your loved one. The letter must describe the medical condition and the urgency of the situation. You must also present evidence of your relationship to the sick or injured person."

 

Medicare is for residents and citizens only.

 

 

Edited July 26, 2023 by Allaboutwaiting

[Boiler 45,313]

4 minutes ago, HMM1234 said:

Thankyou for your reply. I think I should have said emergency request for a visa. A friend recently got one for her mother because she had an infant to take care of. Daycare was not willing to take her fussy child and she had to join job. She didn't have any other help. She applied for an emergency request for visa and her mother was granted one. So I thought may be I can use the same approach as well. 

 

Secondly I understand your point regarding the cost. That's my question, will he be able to get Medicare as he is 70+ or medi cal? I live in California.

 

Thirdly, he has unmarried children in Pakistan. My mother died two years back so he can't leave them alone there, no chance of staying and change of status until my siblings get married. I might apply for his immigration once my siblings are settled. 

 

Any suggestions now? Should I go for B1/B2 without mentioning medical issues?

 

Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2)    353 Calendar Days

 

So you are looking at about a year out.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

7 minutes ago, HMM1234 said:

Thankyou for your reply. I think I should have said emergency request for a visa. A friend recently got one for her mother because she had an infant to take care of. Daycare was not willing to take her fussy child and she had to join job. She didn't have any other help. She applied for an emergency request for visa and her mother was granted one. So I thought may be I can use the same approach as well. 

 

Secondly I understand your point regarding the cost. That's my question, will he be able to get Medicare as he is 70+ or medi cal? I live in California.

 

Thirdly, he has unmarried children in Pakistan. My mother died two years back so he can't leave them alone there, no chance of staying and change of status until my siblings get married. I might apply for his immigration once my siblings are settled. 

 

Any suggestions now? Should I go for B1/B2 without mentioning medical issues?

 

A non-resident alien cannot get Medicare. For Medi-Cal, I see the following:

How long does a person have to be living in California before they can be deemed a resident of California for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes?

There is no time period associated with being a California resident. However, a person does have to be physically present in California with the intent to remain in California permanently or indefinitely.

 

He won't meet that requirement on a tourist visa. 

 

Has he ever traveled to the U.S. before or been granted a tourist visa in the past?

 

Edit: Also, what other ties to his home country does he have? Are the unmarried children dependent on him?

Edited July 26, 2023 by beloved_dingo

[Boiler 45,313]

If he is 70 the children are no doubt grown up.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

If he is 70 the children are no doubt grown up.

You would think so, but men can have children quite late in life. It's possible he still has children under 18. 

[Crazy Cat 41,605]

21 minutes ago, HMM1234 said:

So I thought may be I can use the same approach as well. 

To clarify, are you seeking a visa for him to receive medical treatment or to visit you?

[Boiler 45,313]

You can get an Emergency appointment, they do not expedite B's. But then you have all the Medical stuff to go through. I am sort of surprised he cannot get treatment locally and anywhere else is going to be cheaper than the US, a lot cheaper in most cases.

 

Or he can apply for the regular system and is looking at a year out.

 

I would imagine money will crush this anyway.

[Boiler 45,313]

1 minute ago, beloved_dingo said:

You would think so, but men can have children quite late in life. It's possible he still has children under 18. 

True

 

I read it as daughters who had yet to marry.

 

[Timona 4,207]

38 minutes ago, HMM1234 said:

A friend recently got one for her mother because she had an infant to take care of. Daycare was not willing to take her fussy child and she had to join job. She didn't have any other help. She applied for an emergency request for visa and her mother was granted one. So I thought may be I can use the same approach as well. 

 

I 100% doubt this story. 

Friend's parents probably didn't disclose this to IO.