Planning to Petition Parents

[Walley 0]

Hello fellow VJers,

I have been reading tons of info here but I doubt my interpretation of immigration law, so here I am asking for your input.

I am planning to petition my parents since it is very unlikely to get them a tourist visa (Philippines), however, I have a sister (17 yo) who will be left alone if they leave the PI. My sister is in college and wanted to finish schooling there. So, my question is, if my parents' petition is approved - what happens to my sister? Can she accompany with them in the US or shall I petition her also?

Please help. It has been more than 5 years living in the US and have not overcome homesickness.

Thank you in advance.

Walley

[milimelo 4,237]

No, you can't get your sister through petitioning your parents. She has to stay behind. Petition your sister as well but do know it is 23 years of waiting time before she gets a visa. Could be shorter if parents petition her - 12 yrs?

[Walley 0]

No, you can't get your sister through petitioning your parents. She has to stay behind. Petition your sister as well but do know it is 23 years of waiting time before she gets a visa. Could be shorter if parents petition her - 12 yrs?

Thank you, milimelo. Is it better if my father/mother petitions my sister while a permanent resident or wait till citizenship? Or does it really matter as to waiting time?

[milimelo 4,237]

They can send in an application as soon as they get permanent residency and then upgrade it when they become citizens.

Original category will be F2 (unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents) then upgraded to F1 unmarried sons and daughters of citizens.

If the sister gets married she will fall into the F3 category - married sons and daughters of of citizens so take that into consideration as well - longer time to get the visa.

Check out the visa bulletin to see what priority date applications they are working on now:

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bull...letin_4659.html