If you had the option to bring a sick relative to the United States for better medical care, you’d probably do whatever it takes. But, when you add in immigration needs, it can make the situation a bit more complicated. At Maison Immigration, our team of experienced lawyers can help. If you want to know more about your options, contact us to set up an initial consultation.
How Can You Bring a Sick Relative to the United States?
Having a sick relative in another country is extremely difficult. Any number of issues could come up, from a lack of adequate medical care to simply not having your emotional support while they go through the illness.
But you do have options when you want to bring them to the United States. Most of the time, you can do so through the following:
- B-2 visa – This is a “visitor visa”, and would allow your relative to come to the country on a temporary basis for medical treatment. They would need to show medical records and have the ability to show financial documents that would cover the potential treatment. If your relative’s sole purpose for coming to the U.S. is to receive medical treatment, there is a section of the B-2 program that allows this specifically for medical treatment.
- Immigrant visa – If you’re a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may be able to sponsor your sick relative for an immigrant visa. You’ll need to go through the asylum process, and be able to provide proof and documentation.
- Humanitarian parole – In more urgent cases where your relative needs immediate medical treatment and doesn’t qualify for a visa, you can request humanitarian parole from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This allows them to enter the U.S. on a temporary basis for medical reasons.
Does My Relative Meet the Requirements?
Outside of sponsoring or humanitarian parole, the best option for your sick relative to come to the U.S. for medical treatment is the B-2 visa. That said, like any other visa, there’s some requirements that need to be met. So, your relative will need to show the following to get a B-2 medical visa:
- Documentation from their doctor in their home country – Your relative should ask their doctor back home to write a letter explaining their medical condition and why they need treatment in the United States. This letter, on official letterhead and signed by the doctor, shows U.S. authorities that their condition is real and requires treatment abroad.
- Documentation from the U.S. treatment provider – Next, they need to contact a U.S. doctor or medical facility willing to treat them. They should ask for a letter confirming this, along with details on the treatment length and costs, including fees and other expenses.
- Financial documentation – Lastly, your relative must prove they can cover their travel, medical bills, and living expenses in the U.S. This can be done with bank statements, income proof, or tax returns. If someone else is paying, they need to show support with a sponsor letter and their financial records. This proves they won’t rely on public funds during their U.S. stay.
Obviously, some illnesses require much more urgent medical care. While there are options in place, it’s important to remember to be patient as the process plays out. Otherwise, rushing to try to expedite the process could mean something gets missed.
Why Would You Need to Bring a Sick Relative to the United States?
It’s not hard to figure out why you’d want to bring your sick relative to the United States for medical care–you want what’s best for them. But specifically, there could be a few reasons why someone might need to bring a sick relative to the country:
- Advanced care – The U.S. has advanced medical facilities and experts, so bringing a sick relative there can offer better treatment options not available in their home country.
- Second opinions – Sometimes, they may want another doctor’s view on their condition, which they can get in the U.S.
- Experimental treatments – The U.S. leads in medical research, so they might find new treatments or join studies that could help.
- Emotional support – Being with family during illness can be comforting, so bringing them to the U.S. can provide emotional support.
Regardless of the reasoning, our team of immigration lawyers at Maison Immigration can put your relatives in the best position when it comes to a visa or other type of temporary citizenship to get the medical care they need.
Contact Maison Immigration Today
When you have a sick relative in their home country, time could be of the essence. With options to bring them here for medical care, our experienced team at Maison Immigration can help you and your relatives through the visa process. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
