Family-based immigration constitutes a significant pathway to lawful permanent residency (the infamous Green Card status) in the United States. Under this structure, a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) can petition for their immediate relatives or family members to obtain residency in America. This category, rightfully termed as a family-based immigrant visa, caters to relationships such as a spouse, unmarried child under 21 years, and even parents in the case of a U.S. citizen petitioner.
The petition and processing timeline for family-based immigrant visas typically span between 16 to 24 months, but it can vary significantly based on multiple factors including the number and nature of pending applications, the workload of the specific immigration department, and the country of origin of the immigrant.
To be eligible as a petitioner, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. They need to provide evidence of their legal status, a legitimate familial connection to the immigrant (a marriage certificate if petitioning a spouse), and the financial competence to support the immigrant in the U.S. The petitioner must also present a clean criminal record, especially in matters involving crimes of moral turpitude such as fraud, theft, or harm to persons or property. The foreign national, on the other hand, will also need to ensure they have no criminal record, haven’t breached any U.S. immigration laws previously, and can prove their relationship to the petitioner.
The process begins with the petitioner filing Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative. Once this petition is approved, the next steps involve the intending immigrant applying for the visa through the National Visa Center, which results in an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
Upon successfully navigating these processes and gaining admittance to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident, the immigrant will receive their Social Security card (if they had requested it on Form DS-260 while applying for the visa) and either a Conditional or Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, through mail within 3-4 months.
While the entire process can seem overwhelming in terms of intricacy, complexity, and time requirements, it's important to remember the end goal: the immeasurable joy and lasting benefits of uniting with your loved ones in the United States. We're here to support you through all your queries or challenges in this journey.
Last Update: March 2024
Reunited Visa, LLC.
Roseanne Moss I DBA: Reunited Visa, LLC I Bond: 283923R I Authorized Immigration Consultant by the California Secretary of State
We are not associated or affiliated with any government agencies. Our assistance includes a thorough guide to help you with your visa and/or permanent residence application. We want to make it clear that we cannot guarantee a successful outcome. It's important to understand that we are not a law firm, and therefore, we do not offer legal advice specific to your situation.
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