Applying for my daughter only.

[Sonder74 2]

U.S. citizen living in the U.S. My wife and I were married here a few years ago. She is currently living abroad with her daughter (now my daughter), I travel back and forth. Due to logistical reasons, my wife does not want to move to the U.S. yet, she's finishing a good contract she has over there. I would like my daughter to live with me in the U.S. so she can attend high school here. Is there a way to apply for her first and for her mother later? My wife has Parental Authority paper from authorities saying she's having sole rights. Thank you. 

[nastra30 2,479]

  On 2/10/2025 at 7:57 PM, Sonder74 said:

U.S. citizen living in the U.S. My wife and I were married here a few years ago. She is currently living abroad with her daughter (now my daughter), I travel back and forth. Due to logistical reasons, my wife does not want to move to the U.S. yet, she's finishing a good contract she has over there. I would like my daughter to live with me in the U.S. so she can attend high school here. Is there a way to apply for her first and for her mother later? My wife has Parental Authority paper from authorities saying she's having sole rights. Thank you. 

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Yes. You'll just petition your step daughter with form I-130.

[Ontarkie 14,712]

How long is your wife's contract for? The time it takes to petition your wife and daughter her contract may be up. 

[Sonder74 2]

  On 2/11/2025 at 2:04 AM, Ontarkie said:

How long is your wife's contract for? The time it takes to petition your wife and daughter her contract may be up. 

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A little over 5 years now...

[Ontarkie 14,712]

  On 2/11/2025 at 3:31 AM, Sonder74 said:

A little over 5 years now...

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Yikes, that is a long contract to wait out. 

How old is the daughter? 5 yrs without her mother would be hard. 

I would wait out closer to the contract ending. 

Edited February 12 by Ontarkie

[Ontarkie 14,712]

Other than wanting to wait out the contract because she feels obligated too. Is there really any benefit to wait it out? 

 

As a mother all my instincts are telling me sending the daughter early is a bad move. 

 

How much time have you all spent together? 

 

[Sonder74 2]

  On 2/12/2025 at 8:43 PM, Ontarkie said:

Other than wanting to wait out the contract because she feels obligated too. Is there really any benefit to wait it out? 

 

As a mother all my instincts are telling me sending the daughter early is a bad move. 

 

How much time have you all spent together? 

 

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I understand your concerns. We're on our 8th year, half of them legally married. My in-laws are living 10 minutes from me as well. If she's not coming here, she'll go to the capital for a better highschool, so she'll be home only for vacations anyway. My wife keeps travelling to US whenever she can get a little (longer) vacation. We're just weighing the options. Thank you. 

[Ontarkie 14,712]

  On 2/12/2025 at 9:58 PM, Sonder74 said:

I understand your concerns. We're on our 8th year, half of them legally married. My in-laws are living 10 minutes from me as well. If she's not coming here, she'll go to the capital for a better highschool, so she'll be home only for vacations anyway. My wife keeps travelling to US whenever she can get a little (longer) vacation. We're just weighing the options. Thank you. 

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Thanks for the reply. I just kept picturing all sorts of things. Sorry 

It is good to look into all the options. 

[Sonder74 2]

  On 2/12/2025 at 10:03 PM, Ontarkie said:

Thanks for the reply. I just kept picturing all sorts of things. Sorry 

It is good to look into all the options. 

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No problem. Not on the topic, but I was thinking it would be better for her to transition to US education system now, instead of coming here (not so) ready for college. Their system is not ...very competitive. What's your opinion?

[Ontarkie 14,712]

  On 2/12/2025 at 10:40 PM, Sonder74 said:

No problem. Not on the topic, but I was thinking it would be better for her to transition to US education system now, instead of coming here (not so) ready for college. Their system is not ...very competitive. What's your opinion?

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We came from Canada and lasted not even 3 days in the school system here. I ended up Homeschooling 4 kids from grades 6-12. We found the AP classes were very lacking and honestly I don't know how some of the kids in them were even in them. 

 

Since she will be away from her mom even if she stayed home for high school it would be an adjustment either way. If she can transition to a US high school it would help with making friends. That can be a good and bad thing  Check out the local high school reviews online where she would go if she came to the US. Trust the reviews they are there for a reason. 

 

[Sonder74 2]

  On 2/12/2025 at 10:57 PM, Ontarkie said:

We came from Canada and lasted not even 3 days in the school system here. I ended up Homeschooling 4 kids from grades 6-12. We found the AP classes were very lacking and honestly I don't know how some of the kids in them were even in them. 

 

Since she will be away from her mom even if she stayed home for high school it would be an adjustment either way. If she can transition to a US high school it would help with making friends. That can be a good and bad thing  Check out the local high school reviews online where she would go if she came to the US. Trust the reviews they are there for a reason. 

 

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Appreciate your hands on experience. Than you much!