Experience, Accessibility And Excellence For Over 25 Years

US Citizen Family Visas

If you are a United States Citizen, you may legally petition for members of your family (subject to certain restrictions). The following categories are eligible to immigrate as relatives of U.S. Citizens:

  • Spouses: Immediate Relatives
  • Parents: Immediate Relatives
  • Unmarried Children (under 21 years of age): Immediate Relatives
  • Unmarried Children (21 and older): Preference Category F1
  • Married Children (21 and older): Preference Category F3
  • Siblings: Preference Category F4

Immediate Relatives are not subject to visa limitations. However, those who are considered Preference Category Relatives are not eligible for visas or immigrant status unless and until their priority dates have been reached.

In order to file a petition for a relative, the U.S. Citizen Petitioner must complete the I-130 and enclose supporting documentation confirming proof of American citizenship as well as proof of relationship to the person being filed for.

Depending on the country and category under which your relative falls under, visa wait times can range anywhere from one to 10 years. Priority dates can be tracked under the Visa Bulletin, which is released by the Department of State every month.

General Required Documents

Some documents that you will need to assemble, at a minimum, include but are not limited to:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Divorce Certificates
  • Death Certificates
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship
  • Proof of Financial Ability to Support the Immigrant

Any foreign document not in English must be accompanied by an English translation.

Our Office Concentrates In Family Immigration Law

There may be additional documents that you may need to obtain depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. Our office can help you to identify which documents may or may not be sufficient as well as spot any potential legal issues that may interfere with your relative’s immigration. Some very common problems include:

  • Lack of birth documents
  • Lack of identity documents
  • Insufficient or unreliable birth documents
  • Insufficient or unreliable marriage documents

In addition, there may be legal issues that affect the case including:

  • Previous periods of presence in the U.S.
  • Previous applications for visas
  • Entry issues
  • Criminal issues
  • Fraud or misrepresentation issues
  • Previous marriages
  • Adjustment of status eligibility

Our office has been handling these cases for over 17 years. We have a proven track record of success in helping families obtain their visas both in the United States as well as at the American consulates abroad. We know what to look for, and we know how to address potentially complicated issues that may affect the immigration process. Contact us today to help you evaluate your case and file for your family member.