AOS or CP for sponsoring parent GC (China)
- Thread starter 2bcitizen
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TheRealCanadian
Volunteer Moderator
Is your parent already in the US? If not, then CP.
PraetorianXI
Banned
Did CP for my mum. It took 8 months, and cost was $640 before the fee-hike, exclusive of whatever fees she had to pay locally for the medical etc. (I-130 $190, I-864 $70, DS-230 $380)
The current cost of an I-130 is now $355, and an I-485 is $1010 ($930+$80). I'd say the AOS route would definitely be more expensive, but I'm not sure if the DS-230 fee has increased, so its hard to say for sure.
The current cost of an I-130 is now $355, and an I-485 is $1010 ($930+$80). I'd say the AOS route would definitely be more expensive, but I'm not sure if the DS-230 fee has increased, so its hard to say for sure.
Thanks for all who took the time to reply, especially a salute to Boatbod for the details. I am ignorant at this point. My parents are currently in Shanghai, China. They were in the US visiting a year ago. I could have them get B visas to come to the US again and then file I-130 and I-485 for a total of $1365, as Boatbod pointed out ($355+$1010). Or do a CP for $640.
How long does each one take?
For CP, since my parents are in Shanghai, can they file with the US Consulor in Shanghai? If not and they have to do it through the GuangZhou Consulor, can the application be done through mail and not in person?
I checked the USCIS website. It says the I-864 is $0.0. Could not find the DS-230 fee. Are they set depending on where the Consulor is?
Thanks.
How long does each one take?
For CP, since my parents are in Shanghai, can they file with the US Consulor in Shanghai? If not and they have to do it through the GuangZhou Consulor, can the application be done through mail and not in person?
I checked the USCIS website. It says the I-864 is $0.0. Could not find the DS-230 fee. Are they set depending on where the Consulor is?
Thanks.
PraetorianXI
Banned
They can not come to the USA with a visitor visa (B visa) with the intention to Adjust their status (immigrate) and live here.
So, in that case, Consular Processing is the way for you.
So, in that case, Consular Processing is the way for you.
USCIS doesn't appear to charge for an I-864, but NVC (State Dept) does. If your parents were to go through CP, their approved I-130 would be sent to NVC, which runs a tedious paperwork/fees shuffle before forwarding the case to the consulate. (BTW, its you who applies for your parents at a service center. All they do is respond to any paperwork sent directly to them.)
DS-230 fee is also set by State Dept.
TheRealCanadian
Volunteer Moderator
PraetorianXI has already covered this, but this is a particularly bad idea.
While I think times differ a bit by country, generally CP for parents takes around 6-10 months from start to finish. Does this sound about right?
Thanks guys for the answers. I was out of town and just came back.
So here is my understanding, please correct me if I am wrong.
for AOS, the process is:
I-130: $355, filed together with I-485
I-485 (adjustment Of Status): $1010
I-864 (affidavit Of Support): $70
Medical Exams (i-693): $0 ??
Total: $1435
For CP, the process is:
I-130: $355
DS-230: $335
I-864: $70
Visa security surcharge: $45
Total: $805
Right??
several more questions:
1. My mom is in Shanghai, China. Does she have to go to the US Consulate in GuangZhou to interview?
2. I read many cases on this board that parents are in the US on B visa and then AOS filed to get them GC. Any particular reason TheRealCanadian said that this is a bad idea?
3. Is there any cost for the medical exam? and Form I-693?
4. Where can I find the requirements for the time GC holders has to stay in the US?
MANY THANKS!!
So here is my understanding, please correct me if I am wrong.
for AOS, the process is:
I-130: $355, filed together with I-485
I-485 (adjustment Of Status): $1010
I-864 (affidavit Of Support): $70
Medical Exams (i-693): $0 ??
Total: $1435
For CP, the process is:
I-130: $355
DS-230: $335
I-864: $70
Visa security surcharge: $45
Total: $805
Right??
several more questions:
1. My mom is in Shanghai, China. Does she have to go to the US Consulate in GuangZhou to interview?
2. I read many cases on this board that parents are in the US on B visa and then AOS filed to get them GC. Any particular reason TheRealCanadian said that this is a bad idea?
3. Is there any cost for the medical exam? and Form I-693?
4. Where can I find the requirements for the time GC holders has to stay in the US?
MANY THANKS!!
Last edited by a moderator:
TheRealCanadian
Volunteer Moderator
The problem is that one cannot enter the US in B status with the intention of staying permanently. USCIS may scrutinize what your parents said/did to obtain the B visa and at the POE; if they determine that your parents made a material misrepresentation of their intent, they can deny the adjustment and permanently bar them from the US.
It's pretty clear that their intention is to stay in the US; you should do it legally. I think if you compare the time it takes to get a B visa, then travel and then waiting the several months to file the I-130/485, it's going to be pretty similar in terms of time. File the I-130 and get things started legally.