Family Based Immigration

If you are a U.S. citizen or a Permanent resident, you can assist foreign relatives petition the United States for citizenship and permanent residence. Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to help qualifying foreign relatives in petitioning for citizenship and permanent residency in the United States. The following criteria must be completed for a foreign relative to obtain lawful permanent residency or a visa in the United States:

• Proof from the applicants relative of their U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
• If the applicant’s relative has a permanent residency they must show proof that the applicant is their:
  • Spouse
  • Married or unmarried child
• If the applicant’s relative is a U.S. citizen, they must be able to provide proof that the applicant is their:
  • Spouse
  • Children, married or unmarried.
  • Parents of U.S. citizen (if U.S. relative is at least 21 years or older)
  • Brother or sister of U.S. citizen (if U.S. relative is at least 21 years or older)
• Applicant’s relative must be able to provide proof that their income is sufficient (125% above the poverty line) to cover all living expenses for the foreign relative you wish to immigrate, including the applicant. The applicant’s relative may become a joint sponsor with a different relative if they do not meet financial requirement, or the applicant’s assets will be taken into consideration.

Family Based Preference Categories

U.S. immigration law allows certain family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents to apply for a Green Card or Visa based on specific family relationships and are divided into preference categories. The relationships that can serve as sponsors are described in the following preference categories:

• Immediate relatives: Parents, spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of U.S. citizens; (Unlike close family members, immediate relatives can immigrate to the U.S. despite numerical restrictions and Visa is immediately available)
• First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens.
• Second Preference (F2A): Spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents.
• Second Preference (F2B): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents.
• Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older)

Contact Our Family Immigration Petition Attorneys

We understand that the immigration process in the United States can be complex, cases always vary on a unique basis, and may also take many years. If you have a relative that would like to immigrate to the United States our legal team of experienced and dedicated family immigration attorneys will devote personal attention to each of our cases to reunite families expeditiously and to meet our clients’ needs. If you require the services of a dedicated and knowledgeable Orlando immigration attorney, call 407-934-0324 for a consultation.