need advise

[sff 0]

My wife will become a US citizen this year. What does she have to do to get a visitor or permanent visa for her son, aged 11, from Thailand? Help appreciated.

[YuAndDan 153]

You say permanent visa as in permanent resident for a green-card?

She does not need to be a citizen for YOU to file an I-130 for YOUR step child, to USCIS in the states.

To file a petition for a step child, marriage making step child needs to happen prior to 18th birth day.

To visit a visa would have to be applied for on child's behalf by a guardian in foreign country, filing a DS-160 to the US Consulate or Embassy.

[sff 0]

You say permanent visa as in permanent resident for a green-card?

She does not need to be a citizen for YOU to file an I-130 for YOUR step child, to USCIS in the states.

To file a petition for a step child, marriage making step child needs to happen prior to 18th birth day.

To visit a visa would have to be applied for on child's behalf by a guardian in foreign country, filing a DS-160 to the US Consulate or Embassy.

Appreciate the reply. I know I can file on my own, I just thought it might be an easier process when she becomes a citizen.Also, perhaps we just want a tourist visa for him at the moment. Is it easier for her to do after citizenship or the same process? Does anyone have advice for us?

[YuAndDan 153]

Appreciate the reply. I know I can file on my own, I just thought it might be an easier process when she becomes a citizen.Also, perhaps we just want a tourist visa for him at the moment. Is it easier for her to do after citizenship or the same process? Does anyone have advice for us?

There is no petitioning involved for a tourist visa, you or your spouse can provide an I-134 to show support while visiting. Makes no difference if Citizen or not.

One note, If she does become a citizen and child does enter the USA on an immigrant IR-2 visa, can claim US citizenship through parent, essentially skipping green-card all together.