QUESTION
How can my father make application on our behalf and how long can this take?
Asked on May 05th, 2014 on Immigration - New York
More details to this question:
My dad has a green card. He has lived over 20 years in the US. His wife is an American citizen. My dad has 6 kids one who is already in the US with his mom, 1 in the UK and 4 in Jamaica.
3 ANSWERS
Adebola O. Asekun
There are a number of options. These will depend on the ages and marital status of his children. Those under 18 at the time of his marriage to his US citizen wife should be petitioned for by his wife. They will be classified as immediate relatives of US citizens and their visas will be approved relatively quickly because visas for immediate relatives of US citizens are not subject to quota and visas are always available for immediate relatives. Assuming they are unmarried your father should petition for the other children directly. under either F1A or F2B visa categories. But in the end, I suggest you consult in detail with an experienced immigration attorney.
Answered on May 20th, 2014 at 6:29 PM
Either your father can petition each child separately OR if he and the US citizen step-mom married before the children turned 18, then the step-mom can petition each of the stepchildren separately.
Answered on May 14th, 2014 at 11:27 AM
Your dad has to petition for his kids. It will be also good if he becomes a citizen: permanent residents cannot sponsor married kids.
Answered on May 05th, 2014 at 7:53 PM