ALLAN WERNICK: How to petition for a visa for offspring over 21 years old

Q. When I got my immigrant visa, my youngest child came with me, but my eldest was left behind. How do I continue the process to get him here? My U.S. citizen sister petitioned for me and my two children. However, my eldest was already over 21 when the time came for us to get our visas, so the consulate denied his visa application.

Claudia Duran

A. You will need to start a new application process for your son. You start by filing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

When a preference category beneficiary such as the sibling of a U.S. citizen applies for an immigrant visa, they can bring along their unmarried children under 21. Sometimes children over 21 can accompany their parent under the Child Status Protection Act. You can read about the CSPA here: bit.ly/44pcSoP.

If the child “ages out,” because he or she is over 21 despite the CSPA rules, the parent must petition for the child, starting a new case.

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Q. Can I use my Individual Tax Identification Number to check my credit score?

Lou, Brooklyn

Yes. Check your credit card company’s website for a credit score link. Or search online for a credit score company. Use your ITIN if it asks for a Social Security number.

An ITIN is a financial recordkeeping number provided by the Internal Revenue Service. You apply using IRS form W-7. You can use an ITIN to get a credit card and to open a bank account. While an ITIN is not proof that you are authorized to work, some employers use it to deduct taxes for undocumented workers.

If your employer uses an ITIN to deduct taxes from your salary, you can file a tax return and often get a tax refund. You can even use an ITIN to get a mortgage to buy property, though often a lender will require a larger downpayment when an undocumented person is applying for a loan.

If you work using an ITIN and later get legal status and a Social Security number, you can count your work with the ITIN toward your retirement benefits. Find more about ITINs from the American Immigration Council at https://bit.ly/41ipiw9.

Allan Wernick is an attorney and senior legal adviser to City University of New York’s Citizenship Now! project. Email questions and comments @allanwernick.com. Follow him on Twitter @awernick.