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How to obtain a Family-based Green Card?

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Joseph Franks
How to obtain a Family-based Green Card?

One of the most popular methods to obtain green card and become a permanent resident in the United States is through a family-based immigration visa. Citizens and permanent residents can file an immigrant visa petition with the USCIS to bring their family members into the country. This visa category currently accounts for almost two-thirds of green cards granted each year, which exceed a million. The family-based green card, like any other immigrant visa, has various subcategories, each defined by the familial link that exists between the sponsor and the visa recipient.

‘Immediate relatives’ and ‘family preference’ are the two forms of family-based immigration. Immigration Attorney in Brooklyn, NY, can help you determine which method of immigration is best for your family and they can also assist you in adjustment of status. Visas for immediate relatives are not restricted in number and include the following:

Visa for Immediate Relatives

Close relatives of US residents are eligible for this sort of visa. The subcategory outperforms other types of family-based visas since there is no annual restriction on how many may be awarded, and the adjudication procedure is also the quickest. The following are the categories for immediate relatives:

  • IR-1: U.S. citizen's spouse
  • IR-2: An unmarried child of a U.S citizen under the age of 21
  • IR-3: An orphan adopted by a U.S citizen in another country
  • IR-4: An orphan who will be adopted by a citizen in the U.S
  • IR-5: A parent who is at least 21 years old and a U.S citizen

Family Preference Immigration Visa

This visa is for selected family members of citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States. Family preference green card, unlike immediate relatives’ green card, has a numerical restriction, i.e. only a limited number are awarded each year. Once the maximum number of family preference immigration visas have been issued, the remaining candidates will have to wait in queue. Depending on the number of visa backlogs in the designated category, the wait might last months or even years. Green cards with a family preference comprise:

  • F1 Visa (Family 1st Preference) - Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S citizens, as well as their underage (minor) offspring, are given priority.
  • F2 Visa (Family 2nd Preference) - Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and up) of lawful permanent residents are given second priority. Annually, spouses and children receive about 75% of the family-based green cards in this category.
  • F3 Visa (Family 3rd Preference) - Married sons and daughters of US citizens, as well as their spouse and minor children, are eligible for this group.
  • F4 Visa (Family 4th Preference) -This visa is available for siblings of any U.S citizen, as well as the spouses and minor children of the brother or sister. The citizen (petitioner) must be at least 21 years old.

All of the mentioned cases necessitate a unique approach and course of legal action, which is why it is essential to consult an immigration expert. You attorney shall thoroughly explain each step so you know exactly what to expect moving forward; this includes timelines, important documentation, interview requirements, and affidavits for support. They will provide comprehensive answers to your inquiries, as well as the information you need to make informed decisions regarding your family.

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