Visitor Visa

[perneet4]

I am a permanent resident in the U.S , I sponsored my brother and Mother to visit us here in the U.S . My mothers Visa is approved , but my brother got a 214b. I would like to mention, my brother is suffering from a chronic pschytaric problem for the last 10 years , I also plan to show him to the doctor in the US. , will it be better to get him on a Medical Visa or we should continue to persue on Visitor Visa. Any help is appreciated . he is not married and is 35 years old.

[antonykose]

I am a permanent resident in the U.S , I sponsored my brother and Mother to visit us here in the U.S . My mothers Visa is approved , but my brother got a 214b. I would like to mention, my brother is suffering from a chronic pschytaric problem for the last 10 years , I also plan to show him to the doctor in the US. , will it be better to get him on a Medical Visa or we should continue to persue on Visitor Visa. Any help is appreciated . he is not married and is 35 years old.

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your brother. In this case it is better you try for Medical visa for your brother since getting a Visitor visa will be difficult for a bachelor and also it will be difficult to show strong ties in India.
Be sure to carry all the medical records while going to consulate
Be as true as it is possible to the VO, then the visa will be granted
All the best

Rgds,
ant

[cncd1]

You will be required to prove that you can afford medical care for your brother in the US. Travel insurance will not cover psychiatic care.

Quite frankly, I do not know what a US doctor would be able to do that a doctor in his home country could not do given that it is a psychiatric condition; these are treated by intensive counseling and medication management. Neither of these is really an option during the relatively short duration of a visitor visa. Given this, I believe the chance of getting a medical visa is relatively low. This also reinforces the assumtion of your mother bringing your brother here to live with you as she may no longer be able to manage his care or expenses.

If you do decide to try for a medical visa, I suggest that you also should be prepared to prove that your brother is not a danger to himself or others if that is a possible problem with his specific condition.

[perneet4]

Thankyou for the advise, so what is my best bet? . You are right that Psychiatric patients need care and counsel so the VO might think what will be so different in treating this patient in the U.S . I am thinking if my brothers domestic doctor can give something in writing that he would recommend a U.S second opinion, since I am here will that work? I am confused. of cos i will be submitting my tax returns and other financial docs to prove that I am willing to pay for his expenses. Also do I need to send him fresh set of docs , or he can apply with the same set of docs? he appeared for his interview in october.

[cncd1]

I truly doubt that a VO knowledgeable in psychiatric care would view a second opinion in the US as a valid need if the illness is one of the typical illnesses - bipolar, depression, schizophrenia. There could be some rare illnesses that would justify a second opinion but not from the home town clinic. You would likely be looking at drug trials, university consults in highly recognized clinics, etc. Given the difficulty Americans have getting into see these type of people, it would not be a quick process to be accepted. You are likely looking at a several year wait once you have a referral.

I really think that you are better proving that he is not a potential immigrant. For example, if he is currently being treated in a program in your home country that he has attended for some time, that demonstrates a tie and need to return home far more than traveling to see someone once or twice.

If you are considering inpatient care, you need to check the cost. I would not be surprized if you were not quoted $30,000-60,000 for a comprehensive inpatient treatment program. Most inpatient programs are designed for crisis intervention and outptient followup and cost less but entail years of followup treatment.

Is he able to live on his own?

[cncd1]

Let me ask another question. Is it really a psychiatric condition or is it a developmental disability like Downs? People with developmentl disabilities who are not able to live independently have been reported to be successful receiving visas to travel with a parent. Obviously, it will be necessary to prove that the individual will return to their home country becasue that is where the long term arrangements have been made for lifelong care.

[perneet4]

Thanks. Doctors diagnosis is schizophrenia. It is not a disability like Downs.

So, in case we can get a letter from his Doctor outlining his treatment ,stating that this visit will help him to get together with the family and might help him socially and mentally. He should also describe that he is undergoing treatment and will have to come back for his treatment , will that prove strong ties?

You are right it is not going to be easy for me to get a doctor to agree in the U.S to treat him here, mostly it should be out-patient what I am hearing , but frankly I dont know.

Please advise. Thanks for the help.

[cncd1]

Definitely it would be outpatient unless there is a crisis. There are some intensive outpatient treatment programs. These run daily (M-F), all day with a very structured program. They are difficult to find; check with the local Mental Health Association or similar organization for assistance in locating these.

I don't think taking the specific medical approach will do any more than a visitor visa. Since your mother already has a visa, he would be expected to appear alone. It may be counter-productive given this diagnosis is not one which is known to have a high success of treatment in the US based on available programs and laws. Our laws do not require that an individual take treatment; taking medication and visiting doctors and psycologists is voluntary.

I would be concerned about he might present his own case well. Hire a US immigration attorny based near the consulate to prepare or appear with him if you choose to go this route.

I think a regular visitor's visa is an option with the doctors information that you mention as a supporting reason for why he would return home. He is considered disabled and would not have a visa denied for that but he has a harder standard to meet to assure the VO that he would not become an overstay due to his disability. If you have other siblings that assist your mother with his supervision, this is important to note. A long term relationship with a doctor and program at home does demonstrate reasons to return. Depending on his education and interests and family events, the trip could be viewed as a reward for his complience with his treatment. I would not use treatment as a reason for the visit, but that you have arranged for a doctor to monitor his situation while here. This is to reassure VO that there is less of a likelihood of a crisis requiring emergency care.

Again get a local attorney to assist in the case.

My suggestions and comments are based on common sense knowing the situation in the US and how I think a native American VO would view his situation. I believe that a non-American VO who has not lived extensively in th US would have a different view of the situation; I am not sure of how he/she might view the case. This is another reason to involve an attorney who is more likely to adapt to the situation.

I also think that a relatively short visit should be requested (2 or 3 not 6 months) so as not to disrupt his routine at home. Which is true and also a good reason to use as a need to return home.