For some families, there is nothing more important than being together, where they can have opportunities for themselves and their future. This is particularly true when some family members are spread across different countries. The United States, founded on principles of freedom and family unity, has laws that make it possible for families to help each other come together and take advantage of the significant opportunities available.
Immigration laws are complicated for anyone, but especially for individuals who don’t speak the English language. Having the assistance of an experienced Queens immigration lawyer can help when a family member is seeking an immigrant visa in the United States. Contact K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. at (646) 701-7990 to schedule a consultation.
The Building Blocks of Family-Based Immigration
In any family-based immigration matter, there must be at least two family members involved. One is the petitioner who is either a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident. The other is the beneficiary who is seeking an immigrant visa. In some cases, the beneficiary may also have a spouse and children who can qualify as beneficiaries.
Can a U.S. Citizen Sponsor a Family Member
U.S. citizens have the ability to sponsor relatives for permanent residency (Green Card) through family-based immigrant visas in the United States. This sponsorship is an essential first step for the family member in obtaining permanent residency and employment opportunities in the U.S.
Family-based visas can generally be classified into two main categories
Immediate Relative Visas are issued to direct family members of U.S. citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents. One of the key benefits of this visa is that it has no annual cap, which often leads to faster processing times.
Family Preference Visas are for other family members of U.S. citizens, including unmarried adult children, married children, and siblings. This visa has a yearly cap, unlike Immediate Relative Visas.
The sponsorship process begins when a U.S. citizen files a Form I-130 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After the form is processed, further steps include National Visa Center (NVC) processing, fee payments, gathering necessary supporting documents, and preparing for an interview.
Sponsoring a family member is a significant way to help them achieve the American dream. Due to the complex and strict guidelines of the process, it is recommended to consult a Queens immigration lawyer to guide you through these procedures effectively.
Seeking a Family-Based Immigrant Visa
Any foreign citizen who wishes to live permanently in the United States must secure an immigrant visa. To apply for an immigrant visa, that person must be sponsored by a family member who is either a United States citizen or a U.S. green card holder.
There are two different categories of family immigrant visas. An immediate relative visa is one that is secured for a close family relationship. Close family relationships, or immediate relatives, are spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21. These visas are unlimited to immediate family members of United States citizens.
Anything other than the immediate relative immigrant visa is considered a family preference visa. While immediate family visas are unlimited, family preference visas are limited in number each year. Consequently, there is usually a backlog of most family preference category visas.
What is the Process For Applying for an Immigrant Visa?
The basic application process begins when a citizen or lawful resident family member petitions for a family member to immigrate. When it comes to family-based immigration, immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen have a clear advantage. These immediate relatives are limited to
- A spouse
- An unmarried child
- An orphan adopted either abroad or in the United States by a U.S. citizen
- A parent of a U.S. citizen
A U.S. citizen may also sponsor a foreign fiance to come here for the purpose of marriage.
Family preference categories include all other qualifying relationships of either a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships of lawful permanent residents, including
- Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of a U.S. citizen
- Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of permanent residents
- Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of a permanent resident
- Married sons and daughters of any age of a U.S. citizen
- Siblings or any adult U.S. citizen
United States citizens and permanent residents will first file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which will then be processed.
When the demand for family preference visas exceeds the limits, which it usually does, a waiting list forms, and each individual on the waiting list is placed according to a priority date. The U.S. Department of State publishes a bulletin each month where family members can check where they are in line. Depending on the category, this, unfortunately, can take a matter of months or even years.
Legal immigration to the United States is time-consuming and complicated. Consequently, many individuals choose to use an experienced immigration lawyer to ensure requirements are understood and all forms and paperwork are completed properly.
How long does the whole process take?
It’s not an easy process and can take many years to receive a visa. Because of the high demand for visas and limited supply, waiting times can be quite long, especially for family preference immigrants. On the other hand, family members who are immediate can get their visas faster once they’ve completed the lengthy visa application process.
Important Things to Remember
These are the key things you need to remember while seeking family-based migration.
- The sponsor must at least be 18 years old, reside in the United States, and be financially sound. If one sponsor cannot meet these criteria, then a joint sponsor might be used.
- Visas for spouses, children, and parents are not subject to any restrictions. The visas granted each year are subject to restrictions for family members in the family preference category.
- All applicants for immigrant Visas must go through a mandatory medical examination.
Visas for immediate relatives
The Immediate Relationship category includes the spouse, parent, or unmarried child of a U.S. citizen under 21 years old. Children younger than 21 years old are not eligible to petition for their parents. The Immediate Relative visa category is always current. There is no preference categories backlog. A separate petition for dependents is required. No derivative beneficiaries are permitted. If the sponsoring US spouse has minor children from a previous marriage, the petition must be filed for that child.
The Immediate Relative petition filed by a US citizen for a spouse who has been married less than two years will grant “Conditional Residence” to the foreign spouse. This is valid for two years. To remove conditions on residence, both the US and foreign spouses will need to file another petition within the 90-day period preceding the two-year expiration of conditional residence.
Immediate Relative Visas
US citizens and green card holders are allowed to sponsor an immediate family member to come to the United States. Immediate Relative Visas consist of the following non-fiscal-year-specific visa types:
- IR-1 for an American citizen’s spouse
- IR-2 for an unmarried child of an American citizen under the age of 21
- IR-3 for an orphan adopted abroad by an American citizen
- IR-4 for an orphan to be adopted in the United States by an American citizen; and
- IR-5 for an American citizen’s parent who is at least 21 years old.
Immediate Relative visas are issued with the goal of aiding in the reunion of families. Visas for immediate relatives are issued upon verification of a close familial connection to a US resident. The relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary may have a significant impact on how quickly a Form I-130 or a Petition for Alien Relative, is processed. With approval durations of 5 to 9 months and a filing fee of $535, immediate family members of US citizens are qualified for an unlimited number of immigration visas.
| Visa Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediate Relative (IR-1) | Visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen. |
| Immediate Relative (IR-2) | Visa for unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen. |
| Immediate Relative (IR-3) | Visa for an orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen. |
| Immediate Relative (IR-4) | Visa for an orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen. |
| Immediate Relative (IR-5) | Visa for a parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. |
Obtaining a visa for a close relative might be difficult and tedious. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can greatly assist in navigating the family immigration system. You and your family may find it easier to navigate the murky waters of US immigration law if you work with a skilled lawyer.
Additionally, a lawyer can follow up on the situation and inform the client of how their application is progressing. Immigration attorneys also have a better grasp of the expected timeline for how long the application process will take. The acceptance of Form I-130 may take several months for direct relatives, such as spouses and children under the age of 21, but it may take up to several years for other categories. If you need help with immigration procedures, an immigration lawyer can guide you through the process, safeguard your rights, and represent your interests if necessary.
If you have questions concerning family-based immigration or any other pathways to legal status in the United States, contact our experienced immigration lawyers at KL Sanchez Law Office, P.C. Call now: (646) 701-7990.
