A growing concern among U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents who are petitioning loved ones from overseas is the issue of waiting times. Family-based immigration has become bogged down by excessive waiting time and country quotas which exacerbate those wait times.
According to the U.S. Visa Bulletin, U.S. citizens are entitled to apply for visas for spouses, children, and parents without regard to overall caps, but other close family members, including children over the age of 21, must wait years to reunite with loved ones. For example, an immigrant residing in the United States legally with a green card must currently wait at least five years to receive a green card for her minor child. A naturalized U.S. citizen from the Philippines must wait over 20 years before obtaining a green card for a brother or sister.
At the final interview, beneficiaries must show proof that they are biologically related to the petitioner. Primary and secondary evidence include birth records, photographs, insurance receipts, and anything else that offers proof. If primary and secondary evidence are not sufficient, then immigration officials will recommend DNA testing. If you speak with a qualified immigration attorney, they will tell you that certain factors increase your probability of needing a DNA test. Most factors involve issues with birth certificates or legal names.
If you suspect needing a DNA test for immigration you can start the process before the Embassy requests it. This way, when they do ask for it you already have the results you are looking for. This could save you 1-6 months of processing. This is not a ton of time relative to the 20 years it takes a Filipino to be reunited with her brother, but every second counts when you are trying to be together with your family.
