GREEN CARDS THROUGH FAMILY TIES
US citizens and green card holders are able to sponsor certain of their close family to green cards as part of the family reunification process.
Green cards are immediately available (subject to the required petition being approved) for certain ‘immediate relatives’ of US citizens. A spouse of a US citizen is considered an immediate relative.
‘Non immediate relatives’ of US citizens or Green card holders are subject to annual quotas and as such are subject to often lengthy delays before they obtain their green card. These delays typically last over 4 years and even much longer. A spouse of a green card holder is considered a ‘non immediate’ relative.
FOR AN INITIAL FREE CONSULTATION CALL:
Tel: In the US (760) 231-6498
In Australia call (+61) (02) 8069 7228 email: info@usvisasolutions.com
For information bringing your spouse and fiancée, who is currently OUTSIDE of the US, to the US click here for the article on K-1 and K-3 visas.
FAQ
1. Where and how do you apply for a family based Green card?
2. What are the immediate relative categories?
3. What are the non-immediate relative categories?
Where and how do you apply for a family based Green card?
If your spouse, fiancée or parent is currently in the US it may be possible to obtain a Green card through what is called the Adjustment of Status process. Otherwise the relative will obtain US residency via the US Embassy or Consulate that processes immigrant visas in their home county. This is called consular processing
Typically in order to sponsor a relative, the sponsoring US citizen or permanent resident (Green card holder) has to file an immigrant petition on form I-130 with the USCIS Service center which has jurisdiction over their place of residence.
Note: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.
Certain relatives such as spouses of US citizens, are considered immediate relatives and thus do not have to wait-above the time to process the application-to obtain residency themselves.
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An immigrant visa may only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship | ||
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U.S. citizen must be 21 or over | ||
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Step-parent, step-child relationship must occur before the child’s 18th birthday | ||
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Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. citizen |
NON IMMEDIATE RELATIVE CATEGORIES
Persons seeking to immigrate in one of the family based preference categories will qualify for immigrant status only if they have the necessary relationship to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident as described below.
Others, such as spouses of residents, or children of US citizens (and not born themselves as US citizens), have to wait before an immigrant visa becomes available. The wait time is determined by the US Department of State Visa Bulletin and which is issued and updated monthly.
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U.S. citizen must be 21 or over |
FOR AN INITIAL FREE CONSULTATION CALL:
Tel: In the US (760) 231-6498
In the UK call 0207-101-9399 email: info@usvisasolutions.com