economy_1

Hi,

Can old age widow parent of green card holder may apply for long term B-2 Visa?

It normally takes 5 years for green card holder to apply for citizenship and eventually sponsor parent. In such situations what are the visa options available for parent (incase if parent no longer have sufficient family ties with home country)?

Thanks,

crg

The person is welcome to apply. The consular officer will decide to approve or not. LPRs cannot sponsor parents, so the parent has the same options as anyone else.

scrubbedexpat099

Practicalities of someone that age moving to US is another issue.

Noorah101

There's no such thing as a "long term B-2 visa". All B-2 visas are the same. Someone in old age can usually get a B-2 visa, even if they are qualified to use the VWP. Usually a B-2 visa is issued for a validity of 10 years. Usually a B-2 visitor is given a 6-month stay in the USA. B-2 visitors should try to spend more time outside the USA than inside. So if your parent is approved for the B-2 visa, your parent can probably come to the USA, stay 6 months, then go back home for 6 - 7 months before returning for another 6-month stay.

Normally, yes. If the LPR is the spouse of a USC, it only takes 3 years.

The visa options are the same for everyone. At an old age, if eligible for the VWP, they can use that; otherwise apply for a B-2 visa.

Rene

ian-mstm

Yes, the parent can apply for a B-2 visa. The parent can not live in the US on a B-2 visa... the parent can visit only. The parent should not come to the US without being prepared to spend a lot of money for health care insurance. A single hospitalization could easily cause bankruptcy.

Ian

economy_1

I suppose hospitalization and health insurance issues are same for many of us. I have employer provided high deductible heath plan. I always think twice or thrice before visiting hospital or emergency care.Lot of employer provided health insurances even may not cover certain or all treatments and so on...

SanDiegogirl

You have a health plan....... your parent may or may not be eligible to apply for any plans which remain under Obamacare (taking into account what might happen to the Affordable Care Act in the future)

She certainly won't be eligible for Medicare for many years and even then it will cost a fortune in premiums.