DNA Test For Immigration Purposes

What is an Immigration DNA Test?

A DNA immigration test is a testing option used by a petitioner to prove biological relationship between a parent or child in most cases.

Overview of Immigration DNA Testing process

Are you petitioning for a family member and you are lacking credible evidence for your immigrant visa (IV) application? If so, the following information will assist you to properly navigate the genetic testing process.

DNA testing for immigration purposes is typically utilized to confirm biological relationships between individuals. The most commonly verified relationships include paternity, maternity, full-siblingship, and half-siblingship. Due to the limitations in DNA technology, more distant relationships cannot be reliably proven using this method, so it is primarily used to establish immediate family connections.

While DNA testing is the only non-documentary method accepted for providing proof of a biological relationship, it an is option provided by the U.S. Passport Agency, U.S. Embassies and USCIS offices to immigrant families who may not be able to provide the requested documents on an immigrant visa application.

It should be noted that DNA testing is a voluntary option and it does not guarantee of a visa or CRBA acquisition.

Below is a brief overview of what you can expect to experience going through this process.

1. In order to perform a genetic test for immigration secondary evidence submission purposes. The petitioner must receive a Request For Evidence letter from USCIS, a U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate, or U.S. Passport Agency.

Please note, performing a standard legal genetic test without receiving a Request For Evidence letter is not recommended. A non-immigration legal relationship test does not adhere to immigration’s standard for establishing a proper chain of custody for evidence submission. In the event, you perform a non-immigration test please keep in mind you may have to perform a second DNA relationship test to remain compliant with the DNA immigration testing process.

2. Upon receipt of your RFE letter contact our office at 888-204-0583 to get started.

3. You will need to provide the following; 1. Names of the participants 2. Date of birth of the participants 3. The address of the participants 4. The paperwork requesting a voluntary DNA relationship test may be performed from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or U.S. Embassy 5. The best contact phone number for each participant.

4. Your case will be initiated by our partner AABB Accredited Lab.

5. An appointment will be scheduled for the petitioner if located in the United States and the lab will ship a DNA kit to the Embassy or Consulate.

Please note: All international DNA specimen collection appointments are handled specifically by an Embassy or Consulate official and not by the lab. Therefore the Embassy will contact your family directly with instructions regarding the beneficiary’s appointment details.

6. The Embassy and its partner medical facility are responsible for scheduling and coordinating the beneficiary’s DNA specimen collections abroad.

7. Once the beneficiary’s samples are collected they will be shipped back to the lab in the U.S. for testing and analysis.

8. Upon the completion of your results. A copy will be sent to the requesting immigration office and another copy will be sent to your home.

United States DNA Sample Collection Process

All DNA specimen collection for the participants located in the United States will be handled by our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. Once the lab performs your case initiation, the coordination of our DNA specimen collection will be scheduled at facility near your home.

Please note, Petitioners nor beneficiaries cannot directly receive test kits.

Outside of United States DNA Sample Collection Process

DNA specimen collections performed abroad will be handled and supervised by the U.S. embassy or consulate for U.S. passport, immigrant visa or consular report of birth abroad (CRBA) cases. Our partner lab will ship the DNA kit to the U.S. embassy or consulate after the petitioner’s DNA sample has been collected.

Please note, Petitioners nor beneficiaries cannot directly receive test kits.

Types of DNA Tests

There are several types of DNA immigration tests available, including paternity, maternal, sibling, and grandparent testing.

Paternity testing is used to determine if an individual is the biological father of a child.

Maternity testing is used to determine is biological relationship exist between the mother and a child.

Sibling testing is used to determine if two individuals share a common parent or parents. This option is suggested when the parents are unavailable to be tested.

DNA Testing Accuracy

A Consular Officer and United States Immigration officers are allowed to accepted an accuracy 99.99% and higher to prove a claimed biological relationship. It should also be noted all DNA tests should be performed by an AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) accredited lab. All legal testing services we provide are under the strict supervision of our partner AABB accredited DNA lab.

What are the DNA Specimen Collection Methods Used?

The preferred method for specimen Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) collection is done by buccal (cheek or mouth cavity) cotton swab. Another collection option is by blood samples, buccal swabs are less invasive method of collection and less expensive option.