My Grandmother was born in America - does this entitle me to a US visa?

Question

My maternal Grandmother was born in Chicago to Irish parents. She has lived her entire life in Ireland and the UK, and has an Irish passport. Her birth certificate does, however, say "Chicago".

I am English, and have quite a few cousins/aunts still living in the US from the Irish side of my family (relatives of my Grandmother).

I'm trying to get a visa to live and work in the US, but not become a permanent citizen. Does the above help me in any way?

BTW, I've looked at the US embassy website, but it's all rather confusing! Do feel free, however, to point me to the relevant section if I'm missing something obvious. :-)

Answer 1

Blah Blah Blah... People who do not know the answer to the questions, should NOT answer :).

Anyways... In order to determine if you derived citizenship from a US Citizen parent or grandparent, your best option would be to call USCIS' Customer Service Line at 1-800-375-5283. They are open from 8AM-6PM, Nationwide, regardless of your time zone, it would still be the same time. There is a bit of a wait to actually speak with someone due to very high call volumes... It may be difficult if you are overseas, however, and unfortunately there are no international numbers available, but you do have USCIS' Website, which is http://www.uscis.gov. More than likely if your US Citizen grandparent did not have the required amount of time of residence IN the US (which is typically he or she must have lived at least five years in the US after his or her 14th birthday), you would not be able to derive citizenship from him or her... Did your mother or father get citizenship from your grandmother? That would be another good question to ask, because you may be able to derive citizenship from them, if so.

Otherwise, if you would like to get a visa to work and live in the US, without gaining permanent residency, then you should look into prospective employers here in the United States. You may want to do some research overseas, and if you already have a prospective employer, maybe try to gain a Tourist/Visitors visa (unless you are under a visa waiver country) to meet with them. From there, they could either file to adjust your status to that of an employee while you are in the US as a visitor, or you could return to your home country and wait until the petition and visa become available through your consulate. There is a "cap"(limit) on how many non-immigrant workers can migrate to the US per year, however, so the sooner you get the process under way the better your chances of being able to get a visa to work. If you do change your mind, later on down the line, your employer can also petition for you to become a permanent resident. With the visa, also comes the fact that your employer has to re-petition and you have to file to extend your status when your I-94/Visa expires. This can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, so you may want to look into permanent residency if you'd like to avoid that :).

I hope I have been of some assistance to you. The website also provides some valuable information.

Answer 2

Gran's history won't help you with a non-immigrant visa, but just because it doesn't put you on the "fast-track" doesn't mean you can't apply.

It might have helped you with a claim for citizenship but, short answer, if gran became an adult before 1986 and didn't act on her citizenship before she was grown, then she's probably out of luck and you have no citizenship claim.

Citizenship FYI:
A quick review of history shows that in olden times (before 1986), you lost your citizenship if you naturalized in another country, married a foreign national, expatriated yourself, etc. After 1986, you have to make an affirmative act renouncing (usually explicitly) your citizenship. Since your grandmother has lived her life in Ireland and the UK, I'll assume she left the US as a child. The 1907 nationality Act was interpreted to mean that a parent's naturalization didn't remove the child's US citizenship until s/he was an adult. The Nationality Act of 1940 said that citizenship of the child would be lost if the child did not become a US permanent resident before age 23. The 1952 Act said the loss would not occur if the parent naturalized before the child was 21 and if the child was a permanent resident by age 25. After 1986, it takes an act of naturalization by the child on or after his/her 18th birthday.

Answer 3

Sorry not really for the US. And my husbands 20 great grand fathers was the brother to the crown of Orange. So when can he rule. Do you see my point here. It doesn't matter who your grandparents are.You aren't getting in unless you parents are citizens

Answer 4

Afraid not. My great grandfather was born in England and I'm not entitled to anything over there.

Answer 5

sure, my cousin's uncle's sister-in-law's aunt's mother who is twice removed got a visa for her cousin's niece.

Answer 6

No, it does not entitle you to a visa.

Answer 7

no. your parents must be us citizens for you to be given special consideration.

Answer 8

No, that has nothing to do with it anymore.

Answer 9

no

Answer 10

NO