Wifes sister - tourist or petitioning

[EliAnon 42]

Hello,

 

    I really am not sure on what Direction to go. My wifes mom passed away and her 18 yr old sister is over there. I was curious about requirements for me to get her here either by tourist visa so they can reunite for a time (and to experience the USA). Or how to petition her for perhaps, permanent residentry. 
 

please shoot with the best information or ideas you have.

 

thanks!

[HRQX 4,145]

11 minutes ago, EliAnon said:

to experience the USA

For tourist visa, she submits DS-160 herself: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html "Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa."

13 minutes ago, EliAnon said:

Or how to petition her for perhaps, permanent residentry.

Before even starting that process your wife would first need to become a US citizen. Then, after filing the I-130 petition it can take more than 20 years.

[SalishSea 16,835]

15 minutes ago, EliAnon said:

Hello,

 

    I really am not sure on what Direction to go. My wifes mom passed away and her 18 yr old sister is over there. I was curious about requirements for me to get her here either by tourist visa so they can reunite for a time (and to experience the USA). Or how to petition her for perhaps, permanent residentry. 
 

please shoot with the best information or ideas you have.

 

thanks!

She cannot come over on a tourist visa to stay, and it is unlikely she would get one.

 

Your wife can petition her.   Sibling visas take 15-20 years on average.

Just now, HRQX said:

For tourist visa, she submits DS-160 herself: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html "Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa."

Before even starting that process your wife would first need to become a US citizen. Then, after filing the I-130 petition it can take more than 20 years.

Right!   I forgot about the requirement to be a USC for sibling petition.

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Right!   I forgot about the requirement to be a USC for sibling petition.

Yup; by a rough calculation she is still years away from naturalizing. AOS was filed in late 2019, but I don't know if it's still pending or already approved: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/717793-combo-card-ead-and-aos/ After the required time passes for N-400 filing eligibility then N-400 processing time has to be accounted for.

[payxibka 10,044]

To make matters worse, Manila is still not doing routine visa processing, with no prediction on reopening in sight

[Suze1 366]

Sorry for your loss. Hang in there.

It will take years for her to get here, I think.

If she is inclined, and has the required educational background, maybe she can look into going to school/college here...???

You and the rest of the family could support her that way? Just an idea.

Hang in there, Brother

Sorry again for your loss.

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by Suze1

[EliAnon 42]

Thank you all for your replies! This is a tough situation especially with this Covid lockdown BS still ongoing.... We will look into all the usefull information you guys provided!

[Bzegurl 41]

On 6/28/2021 at 1:26 AM, Jorgedig said:

She cannot come over on a tourist visa to stay, and it is unlikely she would get one.

 

Your wife can petition her.   Sibling visas take 15-20 years on average.

Right!   I forgot about the requirement to be a USC for sibling petition.

 I wouldn't say that. My sister applied while I was PR and she got it. It is all based on the tides the person has in their home country. OP never mentioned if the sister had things going for her back home. Maybe she does.