Foreign family member

[philippine jimmy 0]

Just got married and now my new filipina wife wants to know if it is possible to bring her 18 yr old sister here to live with us?

Either permanently or at least some extended time. Is there an avenue for me as a citizen to sponsor her? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[Lexlee08 18]

Unfortunately, you as a brother in law cannot sponsor her for a visa. Your wife needs to be a US citizen before she can file any petition for her, unfortunately the waiting time for F4 category for the Philippines is about 20 plus years. Your sister in law can apply for a B1/B2/tourist visa, but her being only 18 is a big reg flag to the US embassy, she needs to show that she has good ties to the Philippines(like a good paying job, properties, etc), my youngest brother was denied twice already for a tourist visa despite of all his ties back home( he has a job, we have pretty significant properties back home). All the CO back home have a notion that younger people will almost always overstay their visas, that's why it's so hard to get one especially in the Philippines. She can probably apply for a student visa also but I'm not too familiar about this process. I hope this information helps.

[milimelo 4,234]

Moving to bringing family members of US LPRs to US.

OP, wife has to become a citizen before petitioning her sister and even then it will take at least 20 years before visa number is available. Best bet would be to see if sister can come to the US and study here - opening her options for H1B later on...

[philippine jimmy 0]

Unfortunately, you as a brother in law cannot sponsor her for a visa. Your wife needs to be a US citizen before she can file any petition for her, unfortunately the waiting time for F4 category for the Philippines is about 20 plus years. Your sister in law can apply for a B1/B2/tourist visa, but her being only 18 is a big reg flag to the US embassy, she needs to show that she has good ties to the Philippines(like a good paying job, properties, etc), my youngest brother was denied twice already for a tourist visa despite of all his ties back home( he has a job, we have pretty significant properties back home). All the CO back home have a notion that younger people will almost always overstay their visas, that's why it's so hard to get one especially in the Philippines. She can probably apply for a student visa also but I'm not too familiar about this process. I hope this information helps.

Seems the student visa might be the only way but even that requires a lot of money. Thanks for the input, take care.

[DavidandJovie 0]

Bring over one of her parents, then after three years they can apply for citizenship and her sister would be able to come over easily. Her parent can apply for her sister before then, but more difficult.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

parents have to wait for 5 years unless they enter based on marriage ot a USC

[Boiler 43,622]

Do you have a (single, USC) friend you could introduce her to?