Family-Based Green Cards
Did you know that it is possible to obtain a Green Card through a family member that is a United States Citizen (USC) or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)?
Check the options below to discover which family-based visa is the best fit for you! Contact us today to take the first step towards your American Dream!
Ensure Success with a U.S.-Licensed Immigration Attorney
When applying for a Green Card through family ties, having accurate and up-to-date information is crucial. However, many applicants underestimate the complexities involved. This is why having a U.S.-licensed immigration attorney by your side is so important.
While handling the process alone might seem like a way to save money, even small mistakes can lead to significant setbacks—potentially resulting in a denied petition or visa, deportation, entry bans, or even the loss of your loved one’s Green Card or U.S. Citizenship.
The process may seem straightforward at first, but it can unexpectedly become long, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting—especially if an immigration officer decides to raise issues with your case that our outside of the law or beyond what protocol calls for. An experienced immigration attorney not only alleviates these burdens but also ensures a smoother and more successful outcome, even when complications arise.
As U.S.-licensed attorneys, we have access to professional channels and legal mechanisms that allow us to resolve issues more quickly and effectively than the public can on their own. Our legal authority enables us to navigate complex situations with efficiency, using tools and contacts unavailable to non-attorneys.
Additionally, as U.S.-licensed attorneys, we are held to the highest standards and subject to disciplinary actions if we misguide you. You won’t need to rely on incomplete or confusing online information from second-hand sources. Instead, you’ll have a trusted, licensed professional guiding you with first-hand knowledge and experience, ensuring your case is handled with care and precision.
If you're looking to save time, money, and unnecessary stress, hiring a U.S. immigration attorney from the start will prove to be a wise investment—both financially and emotionally—rather than waiting to correct and pay for avoidable mistakes later.
Contact our office today to start your journey on the right path. We’re here to make the immigration process smoother and more successful for you and your family.
Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen
Immediate relative visas are intended for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. Family members such as siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins are not eligible for this visa category.
Upon approval for an immediate relative visa, the family member is granted a Green Card, allowing them to move permanently to the United States. Immediate relative visas offer significant advantages over other U.S. visa categories. The primary advantage is that this visa class does not have a cap on the number of visas that can be issued, unlike other categories, which means there are no long wait times, except for the time it takes the government to issue the visa and/or Green Card.
What are the categories of direct family relationship visas? As with other U.S. immigration visa classifications, this category also has variations. Immediate relative visas include:
• IR-1 visa for spouses of U.S. citizens;
• IR-2 visa for unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens;
• IR-3 visa for children adopted internationally by a U.S. citizen;
• IR-4 visa for children adopted within the U.S. by a U.S. citizen; and,
• IR-5 visa for parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
Relative of a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
The family preference categories available for a Green Card, excluding the immediate relative category, are as follows:
First Preference (F1):
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children. This category is for adult children (21 years or older) of American citizens.
Second Preference (F2):
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F2A: Spouses and children under 21 of Green Card holders.
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F2B: Unmarried children (21 years or older) of Green Card holders.
Third Preference (F3):
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, as well as their spouses and minor children. This preference category involves the longest wait time, and families may want to explore other immigration options if available.
Fourth Preference (F4):
Siblings of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children. To be eligible under this category, the U.S. citizen must be 21 years or older.
Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen or child of a fiancé(e)
The K-1 nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa is intended for the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa allows the foreign fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry their U.S. citizen spouse within 90 days of arrival.
Once married, the foreign citizen then applies for an adjustment of status to permanent resident (LPR) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Since the fiancé(e) visa allows the visa holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants are granted K-2 visas.
Eligibility Requirements:
• The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen.
• Both the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé(e) must be free to marry. This means any previous marriages must have been legally ended by death, divorce, or annulment.
• The couple must have met in person at least once in the 2 years before filing the petition, with very few exceptions.
• Both parties must intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e)’s entry into the U.S.
K-2 Visa for the fiancé(e)’s children:
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be the child of a K-1 visa holder.
• Must be under 21 years old and unmarried.
Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen
The loss of a loved one is always a painful and complicated time, and when it involves legal immigration aspects, it can become even more challenging. For those who have lost a spouse who was a U.S. citizen, the I-360 petition for widows can be an essential resource. This petition allows the foreign widow(er) to apply for permanent residence in the U.S.
While the process may seem complex, with the right guidance, it can be an effective way to secure your stay in the U.S. after such a tragic event. To get the best guidance and increase your chances of success with the I-360 petition, it is highly recommended to seek help from immigration professionals.
• What is the I-360 Petition for Widows?
The I-360 Petition for Widows is a form submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is specifically designed for widows of American citizens who wish to apply for permanent resident status or a "Green Card" in the U.S.
VAWA
U.S. immigration law provides protection for immigrant victims of domestic violence, allowing them to maintain their immigration status without having to stay in an abusive relationship with their U.S. Citizen (USC) or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) sponsor.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), allows abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or Green Card holders to file a petition to maintain their immigration status without the abuser's knowledge. The abuser is not notified of the filed petition.
This offers independence to victims from the abuser. It is important to note that VAWA protection covers both men and women, regardless of their current immigration status.
Eligible candidates for this visa may include:
• Spouse: A person is eligible if they are or were an abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The person may also qualify as an abused spouse if their child was abused by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse.
• Parent: Parents of U.S. citizens may apply if they are abused by their U.S. citizen child.
• Children: Unmarried children under 21 years old who have been abused by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident parents may apply under VAWA. The child may apply after turning 21 but before reaching 25, as long as it is demonstrated that the abuse was the main reason for the delay in filing the petition.
This legal mechanism is aimed at offering protection and support to victims of domestic violence, enabling them to pursue an independent and safe life in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards with G.E.B. GLOBAL
At G.E.B. GLOBAL, we specialize in helping families reunite in the U.S. through a variety of family-based visa options. Whether you're applying as a spouse, parent, or child of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, our expert legal team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Ensure your success by working with a licensed immigration attorney.
Contact us today to start your family-based immigration journey and take the first step toward securing your loved one's Green Card!
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