DNA Testing for Family Based Visas

There are a few different steps involved with a DNA Test to expedite a Family Based Visa.  The U.S. sponsor should be familiar with the scheduling process of the U .S. Embassy or US Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS) office in their country of origin.  Here is a snapshot of the process involved in using DNA tests to prove the biological relationship between sponsor and beneficiary(s).

1.)  U.S. sponsor receives notice from the U.S. Embassy Consular Section or USCIS that the paperwork submitted as proof of the family relationship is not sufficient to allow entry of the beneficiary into the United States under a Family Based Visa.

2.)  The U.S. sponsor is then requested to submit additional evidence of relationship and in most cases - a DNA test - or genetic test is suggested.  Today, non-invasive DNA tests can prove maternity, paternity, grand paternity, siblingship and avuncular relationships.

3.)  The U.S. sponsor contacts an AABB approved DNA collection facility to set up sponsor's DNA collection in the United States and put into motion the collection of the benefiiciary(s) in your country of origin.

4.)  Sponsor's DNA is collected and along with identifying paperwork are submitted to an AABB accredited laboratory.

5.) The AABB accredited laboratory submits a request for DNA collection of your beneficiary along with a DNA kit to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office in your country of origin.

It is at this point in the process, where the U.S. Sponsor begins to panic.  There is no one in the United States that can control the collection process and time frame in U.S. Embassies and USCIS offices in your country of origin.  Your DNA collector will know when the DNA kit and request for collection is received at the U.S. Embassy or USCIS facility in your country of origin but will not be able to confirm to you when your beneficiary(s) collection will take place.  In very few countries, the  U.S. Embassy or USCIS will send a letter to all participants (sponsor, beneficiary and collector) notifying them of the collection date for the beneficiary. 

6.)  The U.S. Embassy or USCIS in your country of origin contacts the beneficiary(s)  based on the address, phone, and email information you supply to the DNA collector in the United States.  It is extremely important to provide accurate and complete information at the time of the sponsor's collection as missing or wrong information will delay and/or cancel your beneficiary(s) collection in your country of origin.

7.)  Your beneficiary(s) DNA and identifying paperwork will be collected in much the same manner as the sponsor was collected in the United States.  Again, your beneficiary must provide proper identification at the time of their collection.  There is usually a local collection fee (as low as $15 for China but as high as $50 for Haiti) for the beneficiary paid directly to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office doing the local collection and in the local currency. 

8.)  Your beneficiary's DNA is submitted back to the same AABB accredited laboratory in the United States that received your DNA.

9.)  The AABB accredited laboratory submits the original results directly to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office in the United States that requested you to do the DNA test.

10.)  The DNA collector receives a copy of  your results and mails them to you at the U.S. address you provide at time of collection.

If you have a lawyer or an immigration counselor working with you, they can be provided with the status of your case, only with your written permission.

Depending on the country of origin, some cases process as quickly as 4 weeks while we have seen other countries (West Africa) take up to 6 months just to set up the appointment for the beneficiary.  The U.S. sponsor must be mindful of dates that the USCIS or U.S. Embassy impose on their paperwork.  In some cases, you may submit evidence that the genetic testing is in progress - but by all means make sure you respond to the agency in a timely manner.  Failure to submit your requested documents in a timely manner can and will result in denial of your petitions.