Family Based Immigration

Who Is Eligible for a Family-Based Green Card?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for only a limited list of family members. Find out who's on the list.

Who Can a Citizen Help to Immigrate to the U.S.?

Native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens can help a number of family members immigrate permanently (get a green card) to the United States.

How Long Does It Take to Sponsor a U.S. Citizen's Family Member for a Green Card?

An overview of the various factors that determine the time it will take to get a green card for a foreign family member.

Obtaining Permanent Residency (Green Card) Through Marriage

Here's an overview of the process to get permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

Who Is Eligible for a Family-Based Green Card?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for only a limited list of family members. Find out who's on the list.

Become a Permanent Resident Through Your U.S. Citizen Child

Parents can get permanent residency (a green card) through their U.S. citizen children, as "immediate relatives." Here are the main legal issues.

Why Children Must Remain Unmarried Until Green Card Approval

Children awaiting green cards can destroy their eligibility for a green card in their visa category by getting married.

How to Get a Green Card for Your Parents as a U.S. Citizen

U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old can apply for green cards (lawful permanent residence) for their parents.

Sibling Petition for U.S. Permanent Residency (Green Card)

U.S. citizens with foreign-born brothers or sisters may obtain green cards (lawful permanent residence) for them and their spouses and children, but only after a long wait.

How to Get a Foreign Family Member Into the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident

If you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), you can petition to get your family into the United States. Here's how it works.

Getting a Green Card for Your Minor Child as a U.S. Citizen

If you are or have become an American citizen, your minor, unmarried children are eligible to receive green cards as "immediate relatives."

Can Children of Undocumented Immigrants Legally Stay in the U.S.?

Children born in the United States to undocumented (illegal) immigrants are U.S. citizens. Children born outside the U.S. may also have options.

Can You Adopt an Undocumented Immigrant and Get Them a Green Card?

In limited situations, it is possible for a U.S. citizen to adopt an undocumented "illegal" immigrant child, and obtain permanent U.S. residency.

How to Get a Foreign Family Member Into the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident

If you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), you can petition to get your family into the United States. Here's how it works.

The I-130 Petition: Information for Family Sponsors

Learn how the I-130 fits into the family immigration application process, and other topics that commonly cause confusion.

How Long Does the I-130 Petition Process Take?

An overview of the timeline to approval of an I-130 petition for immigrant family members.

How to Get Citizenship After Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

Summary of rules on obtaining a U.S. green card - and naturalized citizenship - based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

U.S. Citizen Marrying a Foreigner or Immigrant - FAQs

As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you're free to marry a foreign national or non-citizen immigrant - but you'll need to consider immigration laws to move your new spouse to the U.S. permanently.

Can a Permanent Resident Lose Their Green Card After Divorce?

Learn about the circumstances under which divorce can lead to revocation of permanent residence, and even removal from the U.S.

Who Is Eligible for a K-1 Fiancé Visa?

A foreign-born person who intends to marry a U.S. citizen may be eligible to come to the U.S. for the wedding, using a K-1 or visa, if he or she also meets the criteria described here.

Steps to Get a K-1 Fiancé Visa

An overview of the basic process of getting a K-1 visa for a foreign fiance.

How Long Will the K-1 Fiance Visa Take to Process?

If you're filing an I-129F petition for a foreign fiance visa, you can expect the whole process to take at least eight months and possibly well over a year. Here's why.

My K-1 Visa Is Pending: Can I Work in the U.S.?

After entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa, you can, if you wish to accept employment, either apply for a work permit or wait until you've married and include a work permit application in your application to adjust status (get a green card).

Getting a K-1 Visa for a Fiance With a Criminal Record

Depending on the crime, it might be possible to bring a fiancé into the U.S. who was convicted of only one crime and meets certain other criteria for the“sentencing exception.”

How to Change From Fiancé(e) Visa to Green Card Holder

How to submit the required forms and documents to apply for a green card following entry on a K-1 visa and marriage.

Petition for Alien Fiancé(e): I-129F

Get tips on how to fill out the initial I-129F petition for an immigrating fiance.

Problems Getting a K-1 Fiancé Visa

Learn about some common factors that may complicate the K-1 fiance visa process.

Abuses That Qualify an Immigrant for VAWA Protection

Learn about the types of abuse that would qualify a non-resident spouse (and children) for a green card through the Violence Against Women Act.

Process to Get a Green Card Under VAWA

If you're eligible to self-petition for permanent residency (green card) under the Violence Against Women Act, here's the process you'll need to go through.

Proving Your VAWA Case: Evidence of Marriage, Abuse, and Good Moral Character

To self-petition for a green card under the Violence Against Women Act, you'll need to prove these three key things.

Proving Abuse to Get a Green Card Under VAWA

You can get a green card without your abusive spouse or parent, but you'll need to provide some evidence of qualifying mistreatment.

How to File an I-360 "Special Immigrant" or VAWA Green Card Petition

Petition for a green card as a special immigrant (visa category EB-4) or VAWA protected battered family member.