A US citizen can apply for their relatives to come and live permanently in the USA. Their closest relatives can get their green cards immediately. More distant family members will have to wait. Immigrants with green cards (Legal Permanent Residents) can also sponsor family members, but there are different rules. 

 

U.S. Citizen Sponsoring Immediate Family

Any U.S. citizen may sponsor an immediate family member. Immediate family members are a husband, wife, unmarried child under age 21, and parents (if the citizen is older than 21 years).

 

What is the process for sponsoring a family member?

The First Step is filing a Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) by the citizen to establish the relationship with the relative. The filing fee is $420. a separate form is required for each alien relative.  

Once a visa number is available, the Second Step is filing an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485). The filing fee varies according to age and circumstances.

 

If the US citizen and the sponsored relative both live in the United States and the relative is here legally, then both I-130 and I-485 may be filed together at the same time. This allows the sponsored family member to stay in the U.S. and complete Adjustment of Status without leaving.

 

When the sponsored relative lives outside the United States or is in the U.S. illegally, the US citizen must file an I-130 on behalf of the immigrant. When an immigrant visa number becomes available, then the immigrant must apply for an immigrant visa at a United States Department of State Consulate. This is called Consular Processing.

 

Contact MIRA Legal at 615-307-6472 or by email at info@mira.legal for help with your asylum case today. 

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*This webpage is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an Attorney-Client