Family Immigration
Individuals may immigrate to the United States based on family relationships. These familial relationships are divided into categories which determine their priority for immigrating.
There are three types of relationships considered to be “Immediate Relatives.” These people do not have to wait for a visa to be available and may apply for permanent residence in the United States immediately:
1) Spouses of U.S. citizens
2) Children of U.S. citizens (under 21 years of age and single)
3) Parents of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old)
There are five types of relationships considered to be “Preference Categories,” which means that, after submission of the family petition, these people must wait for a visa to become available. Visa availability depends on the category of the relationship, the country of origin and the date of submission of the family petition. Here are the five “Preference Categories”:
1) Unmarried son/daughter of a U.S. citizen (21 years of age or older)
2A) Spouse and unmarried son/daughter (under 21 years of age) of a
Legal Permanent Resident
2B) Unmarried son/daughter (21 years of age or older) of a Legal Permanent
Resident
3) Married son/daughter (any age) of a U.S. citizen
4) Brother/Sister of a U.S. citizen (at least one common parent)
(Petitioner must be over 21)
See the “Links” page which will take you to the Department of State Visa Bulletin. Here you will find the priority dates (visa availability) for the Preference Categories.
Please be aware that a family relationship described above does not automatically confer the right to immigrate to the U.S. or adjust status. The Immigration and Nationality Act has other requirements which a person must meet in order to be eligible to immigrate or adjust status based on one of these family relationships. During our consultation we will inform you if you or any of your family members are eligible to adjust status in the United State or immigrate by way of consular processing. It is advisable not to submit any application to the Citizenship and Immigration Services before you are certain that you qualify for legal permanent residence in the United Sates.
There are three types of relationships considered to be “Immediate Relatives.” These people do not have to wait for a visa to be available and may apply for permanent residence in the United States immediately:
1) Spouses of U.S. citizens
2) Children of U.S. citizens (under 21 years of age and single)
3) Parents of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old)
There are five types of relationships considered to be “Preference Categories,” which means that, after submission of the family petition, these people must wait for a visa to become available. Visa availability depends on the category of the relationship, the country of origin and the date of submission of the family petition. Here are the five “Preference Categories”:
1) Unmarried son/daughter of a U.S. citizen (21 years of age or older)
2A) Spouse and unmarried son/daughter (under 21 years of age) of a
Legal Permanent Resident
2B) Unmarried son/daughter (21 years of age or older) of a Legal Permanent
Resident
3) Married son/daughter (any age) of a U.S. citizen
4) Brother/Sister of a U.S. citizen (at least one common parent)
(Petitioner must be over 21)
See the “Links” page which will take you to the Department of State Visa Bulletin. Here you will find the priority dates (visa availability) for the Preference Categories.
Please be aware that a family relationship described above does not automatically confer the right to immigrate to the U.S. or adjust status. The Immigration and Nationality Act has other requirements which a person must meet in order to be eligible to immigrate or adjust status based on one of these family relationships. During our consultation we will inform you if you or any of your family members are eligible to adjust status in the United State or immigrate by way of consular processing. It is advisable not to submit any application to the Citizenship and Immigration Services before you are certain that you qualify for legal permanent residence in the United Sates.