How to bring my mom to the USA for a brain tumor surgery. Please help. Any advice!!!!

[katalaya 45]

Good evening, everyone! I hope this message finds you well. My mother is currently in Jamaica, and I am seeking advice on how to bring her to the United States for surgery. I am a citizen of the United States, while my mother is a Jamaican national. In March 2025, she was diagnosed with meningioma, which are brain tumors. Although the doctors had planned to perform surgery, it was ultimately cancelled. Recently, the hurricane has impacted the hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and they are now planning to discharge her despite the presence of the tumor in her brain. As a result of her condition, she is unable to walk, talk, or eat, and is being nourished through a feeding tube. I would greatly appreciate any information regarding options available to facilitate her travel to the U.S. for this surgery, as she does not possess a visiting visa. The intention is for her to undergo the surgery and then return home afterward.

[appleblossom 5,254]

7 minutes ago, katalaya said:

Good evening, everyone! I hope this message finds you well. My mother is currently in Jamaica, and I am seeking advice on how to bring her to the United States for surgery. I am a citizen of the United States, while my mother is a Jamaican national. In March 2025, she was diagnosed with meningioma, which are brain tumors. Although the doctors had planned to perform surgery, it was ultimately cancelled. Recently, the hurricane has impacted the hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and they are now planning to discharge her despite the presence of the tumor in her brain. As a result of her condition, she is unable to walk, talk, or eat, and is being nourished through a feeding tube. I would greatly appreciate any information regarding options available to facilitate her travel to the U.S. for this surgery, as she does not possess a visiting visa. The intention is for her to undergo the surgery and then return home afterward.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and wish you and your mother well.

 

Your mother would need a B visa, medical treatment is a valid use of this visa - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/visa

 

Get the evidence mentioned in the link above (doctors letter, evidence of ability to pay for the treatment, etc), and then apply. I wish you the best of luck. 

[appleblossom 5,254]

Just seen your previous post, seems you've already petitioned your mother? So a B is far less likely to be granted, as she's shown immigrant intent. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/830853-filed-for-mom-but-she-is-sick/#comment-11057496

 

You can try, but be prepared for it to be refused. Also, you do need to show funds for the medical care (as mentioned in the link above), as explained in your last thread, your insurance wouldn't normally cover your mother's care. So you'll need to have cash in the bank, that kind of treatment isn't going to be cheap. 

 

When did you file the I-130 for your mother? 

Edited 18 hours ago by appleblossom

[katalaya 45]

39 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Just seen your previous post, seems you've already petitioned your mother? So a B is far less likely to be granted, as she's shown immigrant intent. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/830853-filed-for-mom-but-she-is-sick/#comment-11057496

 

You can try, but be prepared for it to be refused. Also, you do need to show funds for the medical care (as mentioned in the link above), as explained in your last thread, your insurance wouldn't normally cover your mother's care. So you'll need to have cash in the bank, that kind of treatment isn't going to be cheap. 

 

When did you file the I-130 for your mother? 

I filed for her in March 2025. But it was couple days later she was diagnosed with the tumor. 

[katalaya 45]

44 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and wish you and your mother well.

 

Your mother would need a B visa, medical treatment is a valid use of this visa - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/visa

 

Get the evidence mentioned in the link above (doctors letter, evidence of ability to pay for the treatment, etc), and then apply. I wish you the best of luck. 

This lady on tik tok told me that she applied for a humanitarian visa and she didn’t have insurance. So she got emergency Medicaid. Her father had the same tumor but it wasn’t as bad. 

[appleblossom 5,254]

Just now, katalaya said:

I filed for her in March 2025. But it was couple days later she was diagnosed with the tumor. 

 

OK. I think the chances of a B being granted are very slim, but you can try.

 

Good luck. 

[appleblossom 5,254]

Just now, katalaya said:

This lady on tik tok told me that she applied for a humanitarian visa and she didn’t have insurance. So she got emergency Medicaid. Her father had the same tumor but it wasn’t as bad. 

 

I wouldn't take immigration advice from somebody on TikTok! Are you in the same state as her? And what visa did she apply for using humanitarian grounds?

 

 

[katalaya 45]

4 minutes ago, katalaya said:

This lady on tik tok told me that she applied for a humanitarian visa and she didn’t have insurance. So she got emergency Medicaid. Her father had the same tumor but it wasn’t as bad. 

 

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

I wouldn't take immigration advice from somebody on TikTok! Are you in the same state as her? And what visa did she apply for using humanitarian grounds?

 

 

I don’t know which visa. But her father did the surgery in the USA. Her father is a Jamaican and she is an American. She was messaging me how she did it. His father is recovering now. She told me that her insurance wouldn’t cover it because it’s a pre existing condition. 

[katalaya 45]

3 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

I wouldn't take immigration advice from somebody on TikTok! Are you in the same state as her? And what visa did she apply for using humanitarian grounds?

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

I wouldn't take immigration advice from somebody on TikTok! Are you in the same state as her? And what visa did she apply for using humanitarian grounds?

 

 

So she got the emergency Medicaid 

4 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

I wouldn't take immigration advice from somebody on TikTok! Are you in the same state as her? And what visa did she apply for using humanitarian grounds?

 

 

 

[appleblossom 5,254]

27 minutes ago, katalaya said:

I don’t know which visa

That’s pretty vital information. Location is too, as each state has different rules re: Medicaid. Which one are you in? 

[JeanneAdil 7,328]

Start by getting her drs in Jamica to arrange treatment here in the US with drs here 

we wait for months to see a specialist so dr to dr emergency "talk" will help

you don't just come and make an appointment here / u need it set up by drs

 

you are 3 hours from the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville / they do surgery on non residents and u can call and set up appointment with staff to better understand your situation and what is needed

https://www.mayoclinic.org/international

 

B2 visa for medical treatment needs a US dr willing to see her/ she would need EMA for medicaid in Florida 

https://ahca.myflorida.com/content/download/9060/file/FL-16-0018-MM6_Approved_Plan_Pages.pdf

 

then follow all info above for the visa petition / social worker at a hospital will assist in USA can assist with this 

[Boiler 48,160]

If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:

• Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
• Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
• Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).

She will not get a visa without evidence the bills will be paid