B-2 travelers seeking medical treatment must provide U.S. officials with a letter demonstrating their need for U.S. medical treatment. Ideally you will provide a letter from your local treating physician (on official letterhead) describing: the nature of your illness or ailment the diagnosis and your recommended treatment
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Why would you want to travel to another country for medical treatment?
If you wish to assist a relative in the United States with a procedure such as a kidney donation, you must submit medical documentation from both your home country and the USA that you are a suitable donor and that all necessary matching and screening has been done in advance.
How can I immigrate to the US with medical conditions?
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What are the procedures for entering the United States?
Bring copies of your medical records with you, including results of lab tests and any other tests done related to your condition and care. Inform the medical staff at your destination of any allergies you may have. Pack a travel health kit with your prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Bring enough medicine to last your whole trip, plus a little extra in case of delays.
What are the most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism?
If you marry outside the U.S. but want to do most of the processing for the green card inside the U.S., you could potentially apply for a K-3 visa; though you should realize that this option doesn't save as much time as people originally thought it would, and therefore is rarely used. But we'll describe it here regardless.
What is evidence of treatment?
Evidence that you have been accepted for treatment at a licensed medical facility in the USA and that you have an appointment.
What is a statement from a doctor?
doctor or institution accepting the patient for the proposed medical treatment, an estimate of the total time and total cost of your treatment, including outpatient care if the applicant will not be able to return immediately to the home country. A letter from this facility may be sent to your doctor or to you.
Can a person with contagious diseases get a visa?
Persons with contagious diseases may not be able to a get a visa. If you wish to assist a relative in the United States with a procedure such as a kidney donation, you must submit medical documentation from both the home country and the USA that you are a suitable donor and that all necessary matching and screening has been done in advance. ...
Can medical evidence be used to get a visa?
Visa applicants seeking medical treatment in the United States should present evidence from the suggested list below to help establish their eligibility for a visa. Such evidence by itself will not guarantee the issuance of a visa if the applicant is found to be otherwise ineligible.
Does visitor insurance cover medical bills?
None of the visi tor insurance plans will cover for this (neither the ones bought in the home country nor the ones bought in the USA). Insurance is for future unforeseen protection and it is not free money to pay all your medical bills.
David Nabow Soloway
Generally, immigration eligibility falls into two categories: family-based immigration and employment-based immigration. The starting point to assess options for someone is to identify any family-related or employment-related bases.
Seeta Lakshmi Nangia
I agree with the above answer. Is this a relative or a potential employee? Every individual's specific circumstances dictate which route, if any, is available to immigrate to the United States. If you meet with an immigration attorney, they can go over your options.
Where do medical tourists travel?
Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Why do people travel to another country?
People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including: Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country. Culture: To receive care from a healthcare provider who shares the traveler’s culture and language.
What accreditation groups are needed for a surgery?
Accrediting groups, including Joint Commission International, DNV GL International Accreditation for Hospitals, and the International Society for Quality in Healthcare , have lists of standards that facilities need to meet to be accredited. Please note, that all surgeries carry the risk of complications, and accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome.
What to bring to a medical trip?
Bring copies of your medical records with you, including results of lab tests and any other tests done related to your condition and care. Inform the medical staff at your destination of any allergies you may have.
What insurance covers medical evacuation?
Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States. Before planning vacation activities, such as swimming or taking tours, find out what activities are not permitted after the procedure.
How long after surgery can you fly?
If you get chest or abdominal surgery do not travel by air for at least 10 days to avoid risks associated with changes in atmospheric pressure. People who get cosmetic procedures of the face, eyelids, or nose, or who have had laser treatments should wait 7–10 days before flying.
What are the risks associated with medical procedures?
Infectious Disease. All medical procedures have some risk of complications, those associated with procedure done in other countries include wound infections, bloodstream infections, donor-derived infections, and diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV. Antibiotic resistance.
Where to get a visa if your relative is overseas?
Assuming your relative is overseas, he or she should choose the closest embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas. Such information is usually available on the consulate's website.
What are the last steps in the immigration process?
One of the last steps in the process is for the immigrant to attend an interview with a consular official. The applicant should bring copies of all documents earlier submitted, plus all other proof (original, not copies) of the family relationship with the petitioner.
What is the USCIS approval letter?
Once the petitioner has satisfactorily met the requirements, the USCIS Approval Notice will follow. The letter also provides information on where the case has been forwarded to.
Who issues receipt notice for I-130?
USCIS will, after receiving the I-130 petition and verifying that its complete, issue a receipt notice to the petitioner and the attorney, if any.
What is the question on the I-130?
One of the important questions on Form I-130 asks you to name the office where the beneficiary will either adjust status (available only if the person is lawfully in the U.S., with rare exceptions) or go for a visa interview (at a U.S. consulate or embassy in the beneficiary's home country).
What happens if a visa is available?
If a visa is immediately available, or has become available because the beneficiary's priority date is current, the NVC will start processing the case. It will issue a series of forms and instructions to the immigrant.
What is the first preference for green card?
First Preference (F1) - unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens of any age, regardless of the son's and daughter's are. To be eligible under this classification, the beneficiary must be "unmarried" when the petition is filed, and remain so until receiving the green card.
What is an immigration attorney?
An experienced immigration attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your particular case and provide expert advice as to the method most favorable to you, or the attorney can help facilitate the entire process. If your case involves any special circumstances, or you just need help dealing with the immigration bureaucracy, a lawyer may be worth the cost.
How to get an I-130 visa for my spouse?
If your spouse plans to apply for an immigrant visa then, upon approval of the I-130 petition, the case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center ( NVC), which will issue a packet of forms and instructions. Your spouse will complete some required documents, pay the appropriate fees, undergo a medical examination, and be fingerprinted for a criminal background check. You will need to submit an Affidavit of Support proving that your income is sufficient to keep your spouse off public assistance.
Can my spouse's children be on an immigrant visa?
Children of Spouse Who Will Receive an Immigrant Visa. If your marriage took place when your spouse's children were under 18, then they qualify as your stepchildren, and can immigrate along with your spouse as long as they are unmarried and under age 21 when you file the Form I-130 visa petitions.
How to apply for a K-1 visa?
To start the application process, you would need to submit Form I-129F to USCIS. After that is approved, the case will be forwarded to the NVC, which will send your fiance a packet of forms and instructions. Upon completing and submitting those, your fiance will be called for an interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy nearest to where he or she lives. Assuming that goes well, your fiance will receive a K-1 visa. Because the K-1 visa does not lead directly to permanent residence, fewer questions are asked than with an immigrant visa.
Can my spouse be a permanent resident?
You and your spouse will be able to attend the adjustment interview together, at a USCIS office, with an attorney present if you wish. Your spouse's permanent residence may be granted at that interview or shortly thereafter.
Can I immigrate with my stepchildren?
If your marriage took place when your spouse's children were under 18, then they qualify as your stepchildren, and can immigrate along with your spouse as long as they are unmarried and under age 21 when you file the Form I-130 visa petitions. You will need tofile a separate Form I-130 for each child, and each will submit a separate visa application. Under the Child Status Protection Act,their ability to obtain an immigrant visa will not be affected by them turning 21 after the visa petition has been filed -- but they must not marry before obtaining the visa.
What to do if you are a refugee?
If you believe you need protection as a refugee, contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or another international nonprofit volunteer agency. If these organizations are unavailable to you, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative covers travel by land, sea, or air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda: American citizens entering the U.S. must show a valid passport, U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license.
What is the purpose of asylum?
Asylum is a form of protection available to refugees. You must meet certain conditions to request asylum in the United States. After getting asylum in the U.S., you: Get permission to bring your spouse and children to the U.S. Become a permanent resident.
When do you pay for an immigrant visa?
The best time to pay the fee is after you pick up your immigrant visa from the U.S. consulate, before you leave for the United States. When you receive your immigrant visa, you’ll get a sealed packet of documents to give officials at the U.S. port of entry.
What is an immigration visa?
Immigrant visa for permanent residency Permanent Residency: the U.S. immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work permanently in the United States.
What is the visa for a non-US citizen?
Some of the most commonly requested visas are: Immigrant visa for permanent residency Permanent Residency: the U.S. immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work permanently in the United States. Fiancé (e) visa to marry your U.S. citizen fiancé (e), and live, in the U.S.
How many people get green cards a year?
About a million people a year receive Green Cards, designating them as new permanent residents of the United States. Many of those people arrive in the U.S. through an immigrant visa.
What is the final step in the naturalization process?
If approved for citizenship, your spouse will take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. This ceremony is presided over by a judge or administrative officer. This final step is required to complete the naturalization process.
What is USCIS?
The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers information and resources to help navigate the process we’ve outlined below. Depending on the status of your relationship, you may not encounter all the steps outlined below.
How long do you have to live in the state before applying for a job?
Live in the state where filing the application for at least three months before applying.
How to get a visa for a fiancé?
The visa for a fiancé is officially known as a K-1 visa. To obtain a K-1 visa you will first need to complete a Petition for Alien Fiancé form. You will also need proof of the identity, valid passports, medical examinations and evidence of your relationship. (There is no specific list of what’s considered evidence of a valid relationship, but it may include photos, communications and joint travel.)
How to avoid a scam marriage?
The best advice to avoid a marriage scam is to slow down and get to know your fiancé. Seek the advice of trusted friends and family when considering an international marriage.
Can marriage alone be a citizenship?
Marriage alone doesn’t grant a person U.S. citizenship. The road to citizenship can be a long one. Each step involves time and lots of documentation. Be careful during this process: improper disclosure and inaccuracies can delay or prevent residency or citizenship.
Do you need a waiver for a medical condition?
The issue of the medical condition is two fold. If it falls under a disease of public significance, then you'll need a waiver for it. If it requires significant assets for the medical treatment, you'll simply have to show that they can obtain appropriate insurance. More. 1 found this answer helpful.
Can a person be denied permanent residency?
They probably will be able to immigrate. Medical conditions are only a basis to deny admission in permanent resident status if a person has a communicable disease or some disorder that has posed a threat to themselves, others, or property. The other issue raised is whether your parents are a likely public charge. As a petitioning relative, you are required to file an affidavit of support to show that you could...
Which Family Members Are Eligible to Immigrate to The U.S.
Starting The Immigration Process
- The process starts with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner preparing and filing Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative. This form is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and available for free download on its website. Also see The I-130 Petition: Information for Family Sponsors. One of the important questi...
Transferring The Immigrant's File to The National Visa Center
- For beneficiaries outside the U.S., or who fall into a preference relative category, the case will next be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). This office will hold onto the preference relatives' file until their waiting period is over and a visa has become available; in technical terms, their "priority dates" are current. The filing date of the petition is the "priority date". The U.S. Departme…
Consular Processing
- If a visa is immediately available, or has become available because the beneficiary's priority date is current, the NVC will start processing the case. It will issue a series of forms and instructions to the immigrant. An updated Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 with supporting documents) for each intending immigrant is required at this stage, as well as payment of applicable fees. The NVC wil…
Visa Interview at A U.S. Consulate
- One of the last steps in the process is for the immigrant to attend an interview with a consular official. The applicant should bring copies of all documents earlier submitted, plus all other proof (original, not copies) of the family relationship with the petitioner. For a spousal petition, expect the consular officer to ask many questions about the personal relationship with the U.S. petition…
Arrival at The United States Port of Entry
- For overseas beneficiaries, the last stage of the process is arrival at the U.S. port of entry. Although the U.S. embassy has already granted the immigrant visa, the last interview will actually be with an officer at the border (a Customs and Boarder Protection, or CBPagent). That agent is tasked with determining whether the alien is indeed eligible to enter the country. The CBP office…
Receiving The Actual Green Card
- The Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is mailed to the beneficiary within a couple of weeks following the immigrant's arrival in the United States.