We help permanent residents and U.S. Citizens with visas for family members.
Relatives eligible for family-sponsored visas (in order of priority according to Visa Bulletin) are:
- Unmarried children of U.S. Citizens
- Spouse, underaged children, and unmarried children (21-years old or older) of permanent residents
- Married children of U.S Citizens
- Siblings of adult U.S. Citizens
Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens – spouses, unmarried children under 21 years, parents (if sponsoring U.S. Citizen is 21 or older) – have the highest priority.
Marriage
In order to bring your spouse (husband or wife) to live in the United States as a green card holder (permanent resident), you must be either a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
Siblings
To petition to bring your sibling (brother or sister) to live in the United States as a green card holder, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age. Permanent residents may not petition to bring siblings to live permanently in the United States.
To successfully complete the process, the U.S. citizen petitioner (i.e. the sponsor) must submit:
- A completed Form I-130. (Note: You do not need to file a separate Form I-130 for your sibling’s spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age).
- A copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your sibling’s birth certificate showing that you have at least one common parent.
- Evidence that you are a U.S. citizen, such as:
-
- A copy of your valid U.S. passport, OR
- A copy of your U.S. birth certificate, OR
- A copy of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, OR
- A copy of your naturalization certificate, OR
- A copy of your certificate of citizenship
Parents
This visa exists for United States citizens who are present and settled in the U.S. to bring their parents to join them. They are considered the immediate relatives under the immigration law.
Children
The age and marital status of your children are important factors in the immigration process. For immigration purposes, a “child” is defined as being unmarried and under 21, whereas if a person is married and/or over 21, that person is defined as a “son” or “daughter”.
Evidence of your U.S. citizenship:
- A copy of your U.S. birth certificate OR
- A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport OR
- A copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad OR
- A copy of your naturalization certificate OR
- A copy of your certificate of citizenship
If you are a permanent resident, you must demonstrate your status with:
- A copy (front and back) of Form I-551 (green card) OR
- A copy of your foreign passport bearing a stamp showing temporary evidence of permanent residence.
Visa Bulletin
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
On the chart, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); “C” means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and “U” means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed.)
| Family-based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| Unmarried Son (F1) | 01JUL12 | 01JUL12 | 01JUL12 | 01AUG96 | 22FEB08 |
| LPR Spouse & Child (F2A) | C | C | C | C | C |
| Adult child of LPR (F2B) | 01JAN14 | 01JAN14 | 01JAN14 | 01JUN98 | 01APR08 |
| Married child of U.S. citizen (F3) | 22JUN07 | 22NOV07 | 22JUN07 | 01DEC95 | 01OCT97 |
| Siblings of U.S. citizen (F4) | 01OCT06 | 01OCT06 | 15SEP04 | 01JAN97 | 01MAY98 |
DATES FOR FILING OF FAMILY-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS
The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.
| Family-based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| Unmarried Son (F1) | 01MAR13 | 01MAR13 | 01MAR13 | 01NOV99 | 22AUG08 |
| LPR Spouse & Child (F2A) | 01JUN19 | 01JUN19 | 01JUN19 | 01JUN19 | 01JUN19 |
| Adult child of LPR (F2B) | 01SEP14 | 01SEP14 | 01SEP14 | 01FEB99 | 01NOV08 |
| Married child of U.S. citizen (F3) | 22DEC07 | 22DEC07 | 22DEC07 | 15JUL00 | 01APR98 |
| Siblings of U.S. citizen (F4) | 15DEC06 | 15DEC06 | 15MAY05 | 15DEC98 | 01NOV98 |
