Are you looking to sponsor a family member?
It is our honor and pleasure to re-unite families and obtain legal status for loved ones. Some of these paths are lengthy ones but be assured that we will hold your hand every step of the way. The best way forward is to schedule a consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Until we are able to speak, you can read additional information here.
Who are immediate relatives?
U.S. citizens may petition for certain qualified relatives to come and live permanently in the United States. Eligible immediate relatives include the U.S. citizen’s:
Spouse
unmarried child under the age of 21
parent (if the U.S. citizen is over the age of 21).
These relatives have special immigration priority and do not have to wait in line for a visa number to become available for them to immigrate.
How does the family-preference system work?
If the family member of the U.S. citizen is not an immediate relative, then the U.S. citizen may still be able to sponsor them for a visa via what is called a “family preference category.” Eligible relatives include: unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21, married child(ren) of any age, brothers and sisters (if the U.S. citizen petitioner is over the age of 21). A permanent resident may petition for his/her spouse and unmarried child(ren) of any age to immigrate to the United States. There is a line for a visa number to become available for these categories of relatives to immigrate.
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:
(F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;
(F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.
Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences
You can check the visa bulletin by clicking here.
What if we are not yet married?
If the family member of the U.S. citizen is not yet an immediate relative, then the U.S. citizen may still request a K-1 visa for his/her fiancé/fiancée.
You may be eligible to bring your fiancé(e) to the United States on a fiancé(e) visa if you meet the following requirements:
You are a U.S. citizen;
You and your fiancé(e) intend to marry one another within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s admission to the United States on a K-1 nonimmigrant visa;
You and your fiancé(e) are both legally free to marry (this means you both are legally able to marry in the United States and any previous marriages have been legally terminated by divorce, death, or annulment); and
You and your fiancé(e) met each other in person at least once within the 2-year period before you file your petition. You may request a waiver of this in-person meeting requirement if you can show that meeting in person would:
Violate strict and long-established customs of your fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice; or
Result in extreme hardship to you, the U.S. citizen petitioner.
Contact an immigration lawyer that specializes in self-sponsorship
We want to help you bring your family members to the U.S. We can help you file your application and prepare you for the steps to come. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your applicant further.