Family Based Green Card Immigration
Family Based Green Card Immigration
We believe reuniting family members through immigration is important. We can help you take the right legal steps to bring your spouse, child, parents, or siblings to the U.S. legally.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), two types of immigrant visas (commonly referred to as green cards) are available for qualifying family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents:
Immediate Relative Category
These visas are available for U.S. citizens’ close family members, which include:
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen
- Unmarried children under 21 years old of a U.S. citizen, including adopted children
- Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
The number of visas available under this category is not limited in each given year, meaning that your application can be filed at any time if you fall under this category. If you are in the United States, you may concurrently file Form I-485 along with the Form I-130 petition filed by your U.S. citizen sponsor/family member if you qualify.
Family Preference Categories
These visas are available for more distant family members of both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs), including:
- First preference (F1) – unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
- Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents;
- Second preference (F2B) – unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;
- Third preference (F3) – married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
- Fourth preference (F4) – brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older).
There are annual limits on the number of visas that can be issued for those who fall under this category. Your sponsor must first file the Form I-130, and then wait for your priority date to be current to file the Form I-485 if you are in the United States.
Process of obtaining a family-based immigrant visa
Sponsoring family member files, a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. If you are in the United States and are an immediate relative or your priority date is current, you may also file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
We offer additional services for family-based immigration options including:
- Marriage-based Visas for spouses (I-130)
- K Fiancée/Spouse Visas
- Permanent Residence for spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens
- Permanent Residence for adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizens
- Permanent Residence for brothers and sisters of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents
- Permanent Residence for spouses and unmarried children of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents
- Waivers for Inadmissibility
- Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence (I-751)
- Consular Processing of Immigrant Visas
- Changes, Extensions, and Adjustment of Status
- LGBT-Related Immigration Benefits
- Relief for victims of domestic violence (VAWA)
What We Offer
For many of these services, we offer a flat rate cost to you so that you don’t need to worry about what the final bill will be, and you can invest your time in building your future while our experts handle your case from A to Z.
We also offer each customer with their own fully secure online case portal where they can gain access to their full case on a 24/7 basis, get updates in real time, see what is missing or pending, and safely communicate with our staff or your case handler:
- Filing the I-130 petition and I-485 application;
- Submitting additional requests to USCIS, including the address change form;
- Getting you a work authorization and travel document during the pendency of your case;
- Responding to a Request for Evidence;
- Preparing you for your visa interview;
- Attending your visa interview.