Whether family visits to the U.S. are possible after departing following 3 years of unlawful presence on visa-free entry
Hello, I entered visa-free and was out of status for more than 3 years before returning to Korea.
My wife and child currently live in the U.S. — I’d like to know if it would be difficult to obtain a visa to enter the U.S., such as through an employment sponsor.
There is a process where you can file an application to lift the re-entry bar resulting from unlawful presence, go through an interview, and be allowed in. However, it’s not guaranteed 100% — you’d need to go through the process and pass the consular interview. Unless your child turns 21 and sponsors your parent green card, we think it would be difficult to obtain a visa to enter otherwise. One option is re-entry through an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility — the I-601 waiver can be filed on the basis of extreme hardship to family, but given your current situation, we can’t offer much certainty.