Mixed Insurance Banners Health Insurance for Visitors to USA

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Bringing parents for long stays

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Bringing parents for long stays

    Hi everybody,

    I am an Indian relocating from Singapore to US on L1 visa (with promise for GC sponsorship) and have probably a naive question to ask. I would like my parents to be able to stay with me as much as possible. Now I understand that parents can get a GC only if their child is a US citizen, which I believe will take about 10 years or so for me to get. Till then, they have no option but to visit US on a tourist B2 visa, under which the maximum stay duration is of 6 months, extendable by 6 months. My question is how frequent such B2 visa visits can be.
    For e.g. , is it considered normal and permissible to combine their visits back to back. Or can they live in US 6 months out of an year and continue this for a couple of years. For people in the forum, who had similiar requirements, wha are you experiences and advice?

    Thanks and cheers
    Rahul

  • #2
    Rahul,

    Your parents can not "live" in the USA under a visitor visa. They are allowed to stay up to 6 months, and 1 subsequent extension (for emergencies and unexpected situations that deserve such extension) for up to another 6 months.

    However, any visitor is expected to spend more time in their home country, than in the USA.

    So if your parents spend 6 months, out of 1 year, in the USA... then they are cutting it close... they are risking to be flagged as immigrant risk and not allowed back in next time, or given a shorter time (1 month), visa cancelled, etc.

    There is no practical way to have them "living" in the USA with you under a visitor visa, simply it will not work this way. You need to get your GC and after 5 years apply for citizenship. And then, sponsor them.

    It is the only way to do things legally, otherwise you may just get them a visitor visa, they come, misuse it and they get that visa cancelled.
    Disclaimer: The information you obtain from me at this forum is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Praetorian for the quick reply. Just one of the many things that makes immigration to US so difficult and frustrating.

      How frequent and how long are stays by parents through B2 usually considered safe by experience? For e.g. adjacent 6 month trips interspersed by 1 year in home country? Any ideas/ approximations based on knowledge / experience, would be very helpful.

      Regards
      Rahul
      Last edited by rahulghai; 02-15-2008, 11:09 PM.

      Comment


      • #4
        The best thing would be to limit stays to less than 6 months per year... and stay more than 6 months in home country...

        I would go like: 4 months in the USA, 8 months at home, 4 months in the USA, 8 months at home... etc.
        Disclaimer: The information you obtain from me at this forum is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks Praetorian. Is that based out of first-hand experience or knowledge of somebody else's experience?

          Are there any others who can share their experience.

          cheers!
          Rahul

          Comment


          • #6
            Wow! Now you're getting into interrogation!

            You have been informed by an Immigration Advisor who not only has the experience but real life information from multiple sources.

            You may choose to use the advice or not, but it is not in good light that you interrogate further on the subject matter.

            The idea of a visitor is to visit the country and not RESIDE here. It's as simple as that, nothing else. You can do your own math.

            It will be a major risk that you will take if you try to veer away from the norms and attempt to manipulate the system. The worst that can happen is that they will lose their visas totally.

            Good luck to you and your family.

            Comment


            • #7
              My intention was to just know what is considered acceptable as per norms and laws. Thanks for your helpful advice.

              Comment


              • #8
                Understood ..

                .. there is not specific time period for the stay. It is strongly advisable that one does not stay back for the entire 6 month period during the first visit and of course the extension is out of question at this time.

                On the next visit you can choose to stay for the entire 6 month period minus a week or so just in case.

                Filing for an extension only in case of emergencies or medical/health issues, which do not include child birth in the family.

                Once you become an United States citizen you can file for their permanent residency which is pretty simple and straightforward.

                Take care.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by rahulghai
                  Thanks Praetorian for the quick reply. Just one of the many things that makes immigration to US so difficult and frustrating.

                  How frequent and how long are stays by parents through B2 usually considered safe by experience? For e.g. adjacent 6 month trips interspersed by 1 year in home country? Any ideas/ approximations based on knowledge / experience, would be very helpful.

                  Regards
                  Rahul
                  To address this point of yours, nobody is forcing you to come to USA. Your parents are your obligation and you made the choice when you decided to move to US. It does not matter you are the only son or one among 10 siblings.
                  Why should US govt make things easier for you or your parents. he make the process for spouse and kid fairly painless dont they.
                  Last edited by waitin_toolong; 02-18-2008, 03:14 PM.

                  Comment

                  {{modal[0].title}}

                  X

                  {{modal[0].content}}

                  {{promo.content}}

                  Working...
                  X