Bringing father from Australia to US (Hawaii) + Healthcare

[noblerare 0]

Hi,

I am asking this on behalf of my mother who is herself a US citizen. Her own father (my grandfather) is an Australian citizen and as he is getting up there in age, my mother wants to move my father to the US (Hawaii) to live so that he will be closer to her and she'll be able to take care of him.

How likely is this to happen and what visa would he be applying for? How likely is it that he can obtain a visa and be a permanent resident or better yet a citizen of the US?

The other complication is that because he is elderly, he is worried that if he comes to the US, he won't have healthcare and will thus need to pay out-of-pocket for all medical expenses. Back in Australia, he has full coverage. Is he able to apply for Medicare/Medicaid as a visa-holder/permanent resident?

Thank you.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

He would not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. He would be eligible for Obamacare.

[Boiler 43,401]

Agree he can buy it through the Exchange, be prepared for sticker shock.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

I am asking this on behalf of my mother who is herself a US citizen. Her own father (my grandfather) is an Australian citizen and as he is getting up there in age, my mother wants to move my father to the US (Hawaii) to live so that he will be closer to her and she'll be able to take care of him.

How likely is this to happen and what visa would he be applying for? How likely is it that he can obtain a visa and be a permanent resident or better yet a citizen of the US?

The other complication is that because he is elderly, he is worried that if he comes to the US, he won't have healthcare and will thus need to pay out-of-pocket for all medical expenses. Back in Australia, he has full coverage. Is he able to apply for Medicare/Medicaid as a visa-holder/permanent resident?

Thank you.

Hi,

Your USC mom can file for her father. Her father would be in the IR5 category and get an immigrant visa. Read the Guides.

How likely he is to obtain a visa will depend on whether he can overcome the likelihood that he may be a public charge. (i.e., if the family can pay for his needs without the likelihood that he will be on welfare, then he can come. If he is likely to be on welfare, then he can't come.)

If he can immigrate, he will be a permanent resident. After 5 years of being an LPR, he can file to naturalize. There is no automatic US citizenship for him.

He will not qualify for Medicare. That's an earned benefit from working or being the spouse of someone who worked for at least 40 quarters.

He will not qualify for Medicare for the first 5 years of being an LPR and it's a means tested benefits that the I-864 signers will need to reimburse the government for.

Essentially, there is no reason for the US to let a foreigner national immigrate to the US and then go on welfare.

Her father can apply through Obamacare. He will need to meet the requirements there. You will want to check on this.

Best of luck