FAMILY VISAS

living the american dream

Do you want to bring your family to come live with you in the US?

If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder you may sponsor certain family members to live legally in the U.S. 

Obtain your Green Card through a Family Member Petition

US citizens and LPR (Legal Permanent Resident- Green Card holders) may petition for different family members to come live in the US. The processing times and requirements depends on the family relationship of the Petitioner and Beneficiary.

family based green card

Immediate Relative. These are parents of US citizens over 21 years of age; spouses of US citizens (same sex spouses included); or minor children of US citizens. 

For immediate relatives, there is always a visa available for the immigrant. That means that if the immigrant is in the US he/she may apply for the green card at the same time as the family petition. If the immigrant is abroad, the consular Immigrant Visa process will start once the petition is approved. 

Children under 21 of U.S. Citizen. This includes legal stepchildren as long as the biological parent marries the U.S. citizen before the child 18th birthday,  and adopted children.

Spouses of US citizen including same-sex spouses. For these purposes, it is sufficient that the marriage be properly and legally performed in the place of celebration and be legally recognized.

Parent of US citizen. The US citizen must be 21 or older to be able to petition for a parent.

Family based categories. The immigrant must wait for a visa number to become available in his or her category, in order to get the green card.

Immigrant is unmarried son or daughter (21 years or older) of a U.S. citizen

F-2A is for immigrant spouses or unmarried children under age 21 of legal permanent residents. 

F-2B is for immigrant unmarried children of 21 years of age or older of legal permanent residents.

Immigrants who are married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

Immigrant brothers and sisters of adult (21 years of age or older) U.S. citizens.

Violence against woman act (VAWA)

VAWA allows certain immigrant spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (green card holders) to file a petition for themselves and apply for the green card without the abuser’s knowledge.

K – Fiance Visa

K-1Visa is issued for the immigrant fiancé of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa permits the immigrant fiancé to travel to the U.S. and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.

K-2 Visa is issued for the child of a K-1 fiancé visa holder to enter into the U.S. and apply for adjustment of status.

FAQ

If a U.S. citizen wants to petition for both parents, or for a spouse and child,  she will need to file separate Forms I-130 for each person as they fall into the “Immediate Relatives” category. However, if a lawful permanent resident wants to petition for a spouse, and for her children, the petitioner needs to file a single Form I-130 for the spouse and include the children.

A green card holder can sponsor (file an I-130 petition) only for his or her spouse and unmarried children under or over 21 years of age; but no one else.
Only U.S. citizens can sponsor other additional family members, including parents, married children, brothers, and sisters.