Family-based immigrant visa

United States citizens can sponsor their family members in a lot more categories than the Legal Permanent residents. There are an unlimited number of visas available each year for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens whereas all other relatives must wait for an immigrant visa to become available.

To receive a green card through family, there should be a qualified relationship between the U.S. sponsor and the intending immigrant. United States citizens and in certain cases lawful permanent residents may petition family members for lawful permanent resident status. In general, immediate relatives provide the quickest, most direct path to lawful permanent status. Other family members, such as U.S. citizen siblings, and lawful permanent resident spouses and parents, may also submit applications for family members, but there can a long waiting period.

Some people may be eligible to file for green cards within the United States in a process called Adjustment of Status. Others may need to apply from abroad in a process called Consular Processing. It is essential to review the facts of your case with a qualified attorney before commencing an application.

For offical and current information regarding Family Immigration in the US, please refer to the USCIS’ web page on the topic.

The Law Office of Pallavi Davé can assist you in any query related to Family-based immigrant visas. For further information, please Contact Us.

The immediate relatives of U.S. citizen category include the following:

  • Spouses of a U.S. Citizen;
  • Unmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizen;
  • Parent of a U.S. citizen where the citizen is 21 years or older;
  • Spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen, where at the time of the citizen’s death, the spouses have been married at least two years and were not legally separated.

The family-based preference categories include the following:

Adult unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of U.S. citizens

Spouse and unmarried sons and daughters under age 21 of permanent residents

Unmarried children of any age of permanent residents

Married children of U.S. citizens

Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens where the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older