Professional Advice Needed - Relocation to USA

fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 16:41
Last edited 12/11/2021 - 16:48 by 1 other user

Hi Ozbargain,

I'd like some advice.I'm hoping there are professionals out there willing to share their knowledge.

My sister recently gave birth to a child in the United States.The child has become a US citizen, but the rest of the family has not. So, my sister, her husband, and two more children recently relocated to the United States.They are all non-citizens of the United States.They've all been there for a month. She is now requesting a sum of money from me of $20,000 USD.
When I inquired as to why she was asking this, she stated that she needed to file a visa for her family.

My enquiry is:

  1. Does the United States charge a visa fee of $20,000 dollars for a group of four people?
    It can accommodate two adults and two children.

  2. I inquired about her current visa status, but she refused to provide me with any information.
    Is he in the country on a visitor's visa?

  3. She is currently staying at her husband's brother's house in Texas and is not paying any bills.

  4. Can this amount be used to start a business in Texas?

  5. Does she intend to purchase a home?
    Is it possible to get a one-bedroom property for this amount of money?

  6. Is it expensive to live in Houston, Texas?

Your help is really appreciated.

General Discussion

Comments

  • thatonethere on 12/11/2021 - 16:48

    Here is the fees https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-inf… however they may be hiring a visa agent hence the cost for attempting permanent visa. Of course who wouldn't be sceptical of the request.

    Perhaps get their quote for costs and pay the company directly.

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:27

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

  • Drakesy on 12/11/2021 - 16:49
    +1

    She is currently staying at her husband's brother's house in Texas

    They're a different breed down there.
    Honestly though, why isn't her husband paying for this?
    Yes it's family, but family and money don't mix. Even if it were my sister i'd at least want clarification on the cost breakdown. She may be getting fleeced/her husband may want an interest free loan to buy a Big F off Dodge Ram (It's Texas)

    also google is your friend
    Here

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:27

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

  • Hybroid on 12/11/2021 - 16:50
    +2

    1. No. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-inf…

    2. How would we know? Possibly.

    3. Ok.

    4. Potentially.

    5. Possibly, at least as a down-payment or some cheap trailer home or rent for few months.

    6. Open ended question that cannot be answered without comparing to something relative. Houston is below the US average cost of living.

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:27

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

      • MrBear on 13/11/2021 - 10:40
        +2

        For point 1, if they are using an immigration lawyer to help with the change from current visa to green card, then it would probably cost about $20K.

        For point 2, if she isn't open with you about her status and wants money to help fix that status, then I would seriously reconsider her motives and your relationship. It doesn't show trust in my opinion.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/11/2021 - 16:57
    +1

    1. Maybe

    2. Perhaps

    3. Likely

    4. Conceivably

    5. Feasibly

    6. Probably

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:28
      +1

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

  • djkelly69 on 12/11/2021 - 16:59
    +12

    I'm hoping there are professionals out there willing to share their knowledge.

    Professional what? Professional mind-readers??

  • deme on 12/11/2021 - 17:01
    +7

    Is ColesWorth having a special on popcorn?

  • iamherenow on 12/11/2021 - 17:07
    +3

    It's your money. Ask her for details you want to be satisfied your money is being used productively. If she wants the money she answers.

    If you are still unsure, possibly offer to pay it directly to the service provider rather than giving her the money directly.

    Edit: if she is asking for $20k without answering questions you ask, it indicates she is too used to getting money from you.

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:28

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

    • theo96 on 13/11/2021 - 08:32

      My take exactly! Why should the OP feel obliged to help if the sister isn't even forthcoming with basic info?

  • ChrisLevo on 12/11/2021 - 17:17
    +8

    "I inquired about her current visa status, but she refused to provide me with any information."

    And she wants $20k?

    Run, don't walk…………..

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:28

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

      • ChrisLevo on 12/11/2021 - 17:30
        +1

        You need to note that: "Immigrant visas to the United States are processed for citizens and residents of Australia only at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney."

        Source https://au.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/

        I had an L1A visa processed in the States (was living in Chile at the time) but it was strictly a working visa.

    • morse on 12/11/2021 - 18:45

      Just said the same thing not realising you already said it! Haha, yeah sounds completely dodgy.

  • AndyC1 on 12/11/2021 - 17:22
    +1

    They relocated and therefore would have gotten the correct visa before they left and if they did not then they should have let you know that they stuffed up, but as they have not I smell something and it's not the roses.

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 17:28

      Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

  • JohnSy on 12/11/2021 - 17:33
    +3

    How has she been communicating with you - email or over the phone?

    Are you certain this request for money is coming from her and not some scammer?

    • fls2k3 on 12/11/2021 - 18:10

      We talk over the phone.

  • morse on 12/11/2021 - 18:44
    +2

    I inquired about her current visa status, but she refused to provide me with any information.

    She’s asking for $20k but withholding information? Unless you owe her $20k just avoid getting involved, sounds dodgy to me.

  • Hithere on 12/11/2021 - 19:03

    Doesn't her husband work and earn money?

    Don’t ever lend money to family and friends — it’s not worth it, but if you do, assume you’ll never get it back.

  • jv on 12/11/2021 - 19:07

    Professional Advice Needed - Relocation to USA

    How much will you pay me ???

  • Seraphin7 on 12/11/2021 - 19:22

    When I inquired as to why she was asking this, she stated that she needed to file a visa for her family.

    I inquired about her current visa status, but she refused to provide me with any information.

    Do it. See if she needs more than $20k to tie her over for a while. Sounds totally legit.

  • SF3 on 12/11/2021 - 19:46
    +1

    She is now requesting a sum of money from me of $20,000 USD.

    If you proceed, consider it as donation, and don’t expect get it back.

    It’s “family”.

  • JimmyF on 12/11/2021 - 19:52

    Professional Advice Needed

    Then why are you posting here?

    My sister recently gave birth to a child in the United States.The child has become a US citizen, but the rest of the family has not. So, my sister, her husband, and two more children recently relocated to the United States.They are all non-citizens of the United States.They've all been there for a month. She is now requesting a sum of money from me of $20,000 USD

    Why is she asking you for the money!? This is her and her husbands issue to sort out not yours.

  • rektrading on 12/11/2021 - 20:27
    +2

    I don't like to say this but this sounds like an anchor baby. Border states don't like immigrants that abuse the 14th Amendment.

  • kiitos on 13/11/2021 - 10:14
    +1

    Unless it's an insignificant sum for you, which I doubt, it's entirely reasonable to get a detailed breakdown of what the money is needed for.

  • JavierB on 13/11/2021 - 10:45
    +1

    Thankyou for your help. Really appreciate it.

    • AussieDaddy on 13/11/2021 - 18:11
      +3

      OP couldn't even be bothered to type their responses (and fix that typo) and had to copy and paste. lol

  • iCandy on 13/11/2021 - 20:50

    I’m pretty sure just because a baby is born in the USA doesn’t automatically give it citizenship.

    • rektrading on 13/11/2021 - 21:11

      The 14th Amendment guarantees that babies that are born on US soil automatically become US citizens.

      • iCandy on 14/11/2021 - 14:15

        I stand corrected.

      • tik tok on 14/11/2021 - 14:54

        Yep. Jus soli

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