Family-Based Immigration Petitions:

Family-based immigration is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, allowing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor certain family members for immigration to the United States. This process is essential for reuniting families and fostering the unity of immediate relatives.

Immediate Relatives: Unlike other family-sponsored categories, there is no numerical limit on the number of visas available for immediate relatives, making the process faster.

You can petition for:

• spouses

• unmarried children under the age of 21

• parents (if the U.S. citizen petitioner is at least 21 years old).

Preference Categories: For family members who do not qualify as immediate relatives, you can still petition for them, but there may be a waiting period.  How long will depend on the category and the country of origin. It's essential to stay informed about the current visa bulletin, which comes out monthly.

Preference categories include:

• F1 - Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: This category is for unmarried individuals aged 21 and older, sponsored by U.S. citizen parents.

• F2A - Spouses and Children (under 21) of Permanent Residents: This category allows green card holders to sponsor their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.

• F2B - Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 and older) of Permanent Residents: This category is for unmarried individuals aged 21 and older, sponsored by green card holder parents.

• F3 - Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: U.S. citizens can sponsor their married children, regardless of age, under this category.

• F4 - Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old can sponsor their siblings under this category.