Brining Parent to US

[stashu9]

Is anyone familiar with how easy it is to bring Canadian parent to the US (I'm US / Canadian citizen). And -how does one get health coverage for a 71 yr old woman in US?

[Reba]

What do you mean "bring"? Do you want her to be able to live permanently in the US? Or just stay for part of the year in the US and part of the year in Canada (retired snowbirds do it all the time).

If you want to sponsor your mother for a green card, I believe it can take several months.

see the instructions for the I-130

health insurance will depend on what is available in your area and how much you can spend and pre-existing conditions she may have.

[stashu9]

She is a snowbird currently - but can only
stay limited cause she needs med supply.
I was wondering if I did an I130 to make
her a perm.resident.then tried to get
her health coverage it might be a better
option? Would she qualify for medicare
or would I need to buy private insur.in
Florida? (I live in NJ).

[Reba]

You would need to purchase private insurance coverage. Sponsored immigrants are not eligible for means tested benefits, which can include most medicare services.

Here's a link to the I-864 Affidvit of Support for sponsors. You would need to prove enough income to support your family members in your own household (if you're married with kids), plus your mother. And here is the Poverty Guidelines.

You would send the petition to the Vermont service centre address (I think, don't quote me on that, read the instructions on the form), and I believe you would request that the immigrant visa be issued in Montreal. Your mother cannot stay in the US during the processing, as adjustment of status is not available to family members other than spouses.

You may want to consult with an immigration lawyer for your options and current laws regarding sponsoring parents. I'm not a lawyer, I'm just an immgrant married to an American.

[flames9]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index ... wforum=111
this forum on VJ covers it! Ask away, and do a search, lots of info on thier. I do belive it is a long process