Consult with our lawyers for advice regarding bringing a non-U.S. citizen parent to the United States
Living in the United States may be a wonderful experience and a goal that is pursued by millions of people, but for foreign nationals who live legally in the United States or U.S. citizens who live in the U.S. without their parents, the experience may also be a lonely one. Living without family nearby can be challenging. At the offices of Ozment Law, PLC, our experienced Nashville, TN immigration attorneys can help you understand the laws regarding visas for parents. To learn more about the steps you need to take to get a visa for your parents if you are living in the U.S., please reach out to our law firm today.
Bringing a Parent to Live Legally in the United States
If you are older than 21 years of age and you are a United States citizen, you may be able to petition to have your non-U.S. citizen parent granted a visa. In order to do so, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative;
- A copy of your birth certificate that shows your name and your mother’s name or your name and both of your parents’ names (depending on whose behalf you are filing a petition – your mother or your father);
- A copy of your parent’s marriage certificate if you are filing the petition on your father’s behalf; and
- Proof of your citizenship, which might include proof of your naturalization certificate or United States passport if you were not born in the U.S.
It is not just biological, married parents for whom a petitioner may file a request to bring to the United States. In addition to a child’s biological mother and biological father, a petition may also be filed on behalf of:
- A father who was not married to a child’s mother at the time of birth;
- A father who did not legitimize paternity until after the child’s 18th birthday;
- A stepparent; or
- An adoptive parent.
Because the rules and regulations, as well as the required documents, vary slightly depending on for whom a petition is being filed, it is advised that you work with an experienced lawyer when petitioning for a parent visa.
What Happens Next?
After you file your petition for a parent visa, one of two things will happen:
- You will receive notification from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) telling you that the petition has been approved. If this is the case, the immigration process will continue – your parent will need to go to a U.S. consulate to complete the process if they are living outside of the United States.
- You will receive notification from USCIS informing you that your petition has been denied. If this is the case, you maintain the right to appeal the decision, but must do so within the required amount of time.
Call Our Nashville Immigration Lawyers Today
Understanding the visa process can be confusing, and a mistake in your application could be costly. If you have questions about securing a visa for your parent, please reach out to our Tennessee immigration lawyers directly for a consultation and advice you can trust. We care about helping immigrant families like yours.