Green Cards Through Family: Your Path to U.S. Residency with Sari Law Firm
Your chances of success depend primarily on your relationship with your U.S. family member. The closer the relationship, the more rights you have under U.S. immigration law.
Whether you can obtain a U.S. green card through family also depends on your relative's status—whether they are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). U.S. citizens can sponsor a wider range of family members, such as parents and siblings, compared to green card holders. Additionally, relatives of U.S. citizens often have a faster immigration process than those of lawful permanent residents.
Key Features of Family-Based Green Cards
- No Education or Work Requirements: Your educational background or work experience does not affect your eligibility.
- Derivative Relatives: Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may also qualify.
- Risk of Revocation: Misuse, crimes, or failing to update your address can lead to removal proceedings.
- Path to Citizenship: After holding a green card for five years (or three if married to a U.S. citizen), you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Immediate Relatives vs. Preference Relatives
Immediate Relatives: Unlimited visas are available for:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 or older)
Preference Relatives: Limited visas are available for:
- Unmarried children (21 or older) of U.S. citizens
- Spouses and unmarried children of green card holders
- Married children of U.S. citizens
- Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 or older)
Derivative Relatives
In the preference categories (excluding immediate relatives), once a U.S. citizen or permanent resident files an I-130 petition for a family member born outside the U.S., the relative's spouse and children (unmarried and under 21) can automatically be included in the immigration process as "derivative" beneficiaries, if they choose.
The U.S. petitioner just needs to list them on the I-130 petition to initiate the process. However, these family members will eventually need to submit their own applications for an immigrant visa or green card with the U.S. consulate or USCIS.
Legal Assistance
Navigating the immigration process can be complex. Consulting with an experienced immigration attorney can help ensure all paperwork is correctly filed and your application is monitored through the approval process.
Contact Sari Law Firm
For expert guidance on family-based green cards, contact Sari Law Firm today. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in every step of the process.