US green card through children?

[valentino]

My son was born in California, while I'm from Argentina. Next year he will turn eighteen. I've been advised to look for an immigration lawyer, and I will do so in October when I go to NYC for business. Do you have any idea how long the process takes?

Thanks a lot

[tiernan]

Once your son turns 21, he can file an I-130 petition for you with the USCIS. The cost is $420 and it takes about 5 months to process. Thereafter the petition goes to the National Visa Center in New Hampshire and they will contact your son and ask for an Affidavit of Support for you. If it's "just" you and your son in that one household (meaning he's not married, doesn't have children, etc.), then his minimum income to sponsor you would be $18,387, which is 125% of the current poverty level. If your son doesn't make that "much," you'd need a co-sponsor which can be anybody who is a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. Once that is taken care of, the entire package goes to the U.S. consulate in Argentina (what a great country!) and they will contact you and schedule an interview. When all is said and done about 8 to 12 months have passed, total, and you'll receive an IR-5 immigrant visa to the United States.

You do not need a lawyer for this if you can read and write English and can fill out a simple form.

[jung-hwa75]

well he has to be 21 and earning enough money to be able to start the application and you will NOT be moving over to the USA any time soon [think about 7 + years at LEAST]

The lawyer might be better of being where HE lives which if it is NYC that will be great.....if he lives any other place in the USA suggest you get one locally to him as where you go for business is a moot point.


edit, so the best thing would be to search US immigration lawyers in that area and go from there, honestly it is NOT going to be cheap, and you still need to wait until he is 21 and earning enough money to be able to start the process..............I would interview at good few if you have time during your business visit and like with everything else you kinda get what you pay.........but those 1st interviews are often free..........

[yago]

Your USC son can only petition you for a green card when he turns 21.

The process takes 8-12 months. The caveat however is that your son must be living in the United States to file.

[boyce]

Your USC son can only petition you for a green card when he turns 21.

The process takes 8-12 months. The caveat however is that your son must be living in the United States to file.

At 21 he can petition for you if he makes enough Money