bringing mom

[kjc22 0]

Hello, I am just starting to think about bringing my

mom to the US. I currently live in Florida and she will reside in New York when she arrives. Will this complicate things? do we have to be at the same address? I am also wondering where to even begin and how long it is looking for people. She is currently in Dominican Republic and has a valid visitor visa she comes to visit once a year. what is our first step? and how long can we expect to wait? thanks!

[appleblossom 6,006]

32 minutes ago, kjc22 said:

Hello, I am just starting to think about bringing my

mom to the US. I currently live in Florida and she will reside in New York when she arrives. Will this complicate things? do we have to be at the same address? I am also wondering where to even begin and how long it is looking for people. She is currently in Dominican Republic and has a valid visitor visa she comes to visit once a year. what is our first step? and how long can we expect to wait? thanks!

 

It's pretty straightforward, will take about 2 years in total. Start here, follow each step carefully -https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

She can live anywhere in the US she chooses. 

 

Good luck. 

 

Edited December 13, 2025 by appleblossom

[Ewan 29]

On 12/13/2025 at 1:54 PM, kjc22 said:

Hello, I am just starting to think about bringing my

mom to the US. I currently live in Florida and she will reside in New York when she arrives. Will this complicate things? do we have to be at the same address? I am also wondering where to even begin and how long it is looking for people. She is currently in Dominican Republic and has a valid visitor visa she comes to visit once a year. what is our first step? and how long can we expect to wait? thanks!

When I came in 2021, I moved to a different state from my daughter who sponsored me. There is no requirement to live with or near them (although I am less than two hours drive away from both my kids).

[Rhema1 617]

On 12/13/2025 at 8:18 PM, appleblossom said:

 

It's pretty straightforward, will take about 2 years in total. Start here, follow each step carefully -https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

She can live anywhere in the US she chooses. 

 

Good luck. 

 

Yeah it's a straight forward process if you're not originating from a travel ban country .

[appleblossom 6,006]

3 hours ago, Rhema1 said:

Yeah it's a straight forward process if you're not originating from a travel ban country .

I posted that before the scrapping of the exemption for immediate relatives was announced. But in any event the Dominican Republic isn’t on that list s hopefully won’t affect the OP. 

[Rhema1 617]

15 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

I posted that before the scrapping of the exemption for immediate relatives was announced. But in any event the Dominican Republic isn’t on that list s hopefully won’t affect the OP. 

Yeah,

Domican Republic is not in the list.

So,nothing to be worry about 👍

[kjc22 0]

ok i’m back again. going to officially start the process of sponsoring my mom to come to US from DR. I see mixed reviews of i130 and i130a. what is the i130a and is it necessary? Second thing is her current name is the exact same that’s on her passport, cedula and my birth certificate that shows she’s my mom. however she was married and since divorced for a time in between. does that affect things and when do i have to prove that? Lastly, for translations of documents what’s the best and easiest way to do that? Thanks!!!

[JD2 306]

3 hours ago, kjc22 said:

what is the i130a and is it necessary?

Only for spouse of petitioner.  Does not apply to IR-5 cases.

 

3 hours ago, kjc22 said:

however she was married and since divorced for a time in between. does that affect things and when do i have to prove that?

Per the I-130 instructions, you only need name change documents "If either you or the person you are filing for is using a name that is not the same name shown on the relevant documents" so no it does not affect things.  BUT, at NVC stage, I believe your mom will have to submit her marriage certificate and divorce decree.

 

3 hours ago, kjc22 said:

for translations of documents what’s the best and easiest way to do that?

I use Rush Translate.  But, if you want to save money, anyone fluent in both English and the document language can do the translation provided they include a certification like this:

 

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address

[appleblossom 6,006]

10 hours ago, kjc22 said:

ok i’m back again. going to officially start the process of sponsoring my mom to come to US from DR. I see mixed reviews of i130 and i130a. what is the i130a and is it necessary? Second thing is her current name is the exact same that’s on her passport, cedula and my birth certificate that shows she’s my mom. however she was married and since divorced for a time in between. does that affect things and when do i have to prove that? Lastly, for translations of documents what’s the best and easiest way to do that? Thanks!!!

Follow the step by step instructions here - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

Good luck. 

[kjc22 0]

hello, i recently applied for my mom i130. anyone have any current or recent timelines? i’m US citizen and she is coming from DR. 
 

Other questions. what happens if i move during this process? and does she have to come to address provided on original form? what if i move and she decides she wants t live in another state upon arrival?

[Boiler 48,941]

18 to 24 months

 

She can live where she wants

[appleblossom 6,006]

2 hours ago, kjc22 said:

hello, i recently applied for my mom i130. anyone have any current or recent timelines? i’m US citizen and she is coming from DR. 
 

Other questions. what happens if i move during this process? and does she have to come to address provided on original form? what if i move and she decides she wants t live in another state upon arrival?

Might be worth having another read of the answers given in previous threads? 
 

The timeline has increased since you last asked though as the wait for an interview at Santo Domingo is now ~19 months. So I’d now estimate 2.5-3 years overall but of course that may change between now and your Mom getting to the interview letter stage, just check it once the I-130 is approved to see what the wait is then - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/iv-wait-times.html

 

Good luck. 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 46,557]

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