When to file for step-daughter

[caloak]

Hello all .. my first posting here.

I am starting the I-130 process for my wife. Unintentional delays on my part but filing now.

She lives in Wuhan with her daughter and she wants her daughter to finish High School in Wuhan before she comes to the US.

I live in Oakland, CA and I must say the schools I have seen in Wuhan .. at least the ones my wife showed me .. she teaches English at an University there .. are far superior to the ones in Oakland. So my wife wants her daughter to finish High School there, another year to complete.

So my question is: when do I start filing I-130 for my step-daughter to bring her to the US as well?

Any advice in this direction will be most helpful.

 

Cal

[dnoblett]

File the I-130 for step daughter perhaps 6-8 months before finishing school.

 

How old was Step Daughter when you married her parent? Needed to be less than 18.

 

I would file both petitions together at same time so can interview at same time.

[Randy W]

Don't forget that the visa is valid for 6 months after the interview. If she wants to travel on July 1, she could interview (and get the visa) as early as Jan 1, and still be able to enter the US on that date.

 

Perhaps you may want to try for an interview during the spring festival (Jan/Feb)?

[dnoblett]

I have been married less than 2 years but close to 2 years I would time it so that get visa and then enter USA after 2 years of marriage, mother and daughter would receive unconditional permanent residency status, saving you from removing conditions on both green cards, especially if one gets card more than 90 days after the other.