Process for bringing my wifes parents to the US

[jg121783 3,915]

My wife just filed her N400 and we are looking ahead to possibly bringing her parents to the US after she becomes a citizen. I have a few questions about this.

 

First of all she will be eligible to petition for them after she becomes a citizen correct?

 

It is my understanding my wife would file an I-130 for them. Is the process similar to applying for a spousal visa?

 

It appears as far as documents go they would need birth certificates and a marriage certificate (along with my wifes birth certificate and naturalization certificate)? Is anything else needed? We would like to have her parents start gathering the needed documents now.

 

Are the processing times for this type of visa similar to a spousal visa or does it take longer?

 

My wife has a 17 year old brother. It is my understanding that after her parents become permanent residents they can petition for him. Is this correct? Would he have to be under 21 at the time they petition for him?

 

We would like to petition for my wifes parents as soon as she becomes a citizen so were trying to get all of our ducks in a row right now.

[appleblossom 2,478]

13 minutes ago, jg121783 said:

My wife just filed her N400 and we are looking ahead to possibly bringing her parents to the US after she becomes a citizen. I have a few questions about this.

 

First of all she will be eligible to petition for them after she becomes a citizen correct?

 

It is my understanding my wife would file an I-130 for them. Is the process similar to applying for a spousal visa?

 

It appears as far as documents go they would need birth certificates and a marriage certificate (along with my wifes birth certificate and naturalization certificate)? Is anything else needed? We would like to have her parents start gathering the needed documents now.

 

Are the processing times for this type of visa similar to a spousal visa or does it take longer?

 

My wife has a 17 year old brother. It is my understanding that after her parents become permanent residents they can petition for him. Is this correct? Would he have to be under 21 at the time they petition for him?

 

We would like to petition for my wifes parents as soon as she becomes a citizen so were trying to get all of our ducks in a row right now.

 

Yes, same process, and her parents would be classed as 'immediate relatives', so they'd have a similar processing time - maybe 18 months as a rough guide. 

 

However, her brother will take much longer as he wouldn't be classed as an immediate relative. If his parents petition for him, it will be several years before he's eligible to apply for a visa even if he's under 21. See category F2A on the Visa Bulletin. If they petition for him and he 'ages out' in to category F2B, it'll be even longer.

 

So that's something they need to factor in and make sure they're happy with before they apply. 

 

Good luck. 

[discoverusa 258]

You should also research cost of medical insurance for your in laws. In most states they wouldn't be eligible for Medicaid. 

 

Unless they are still young enough to work in US. Possibly get jobs with insurance and eventually earn 40 quarters needed for Medicare.