Categories of Sponsorship for Green Cards for Your Family

The different categories of sponsorship for green cards for your family:

Includes parents - spouses, widows, and unmarried children under 21. Family First Preference: Includes unmarried children of U.S. citizens and their minor children.

Includes unmarried children of U.S. citizens and their minor children - Family Second Preference: Includes married children of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children.

Includes married children of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children -  Family Third Preference: Includes the unmarried children of permanent residents and their spouses and minor children.

Includes the unmarried children of permanent residents and their spouses and minor children - Family Fourth Preference: Includes the married brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children.

Immediate Relative - In this category, the U.S. citizen or the lawful permanent resident (LPR) is required to sponsor the following relatives: Spouse; Parents; Unmarried child below the age of 21; Adopted child; and Stepchildren who were married before the age of 18.

In this category, the U.S. citizen or the lawful permanent resident (LPR) is required to sponsor the following relatives: Family Preference – The sponsor must be the U.S. citizen who, in turn, is required to sponsor the: First preference – Unmarried children of U.S. citizens; Second preference – Spouses, unmarried children, and unmarried sons and daughters of LPRs; and Third preference – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, their spouses, and their unmarried minor children.

The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The sponsor must also be 21 years of age or older and have the financial ability to support the applicant in the U.S.

What Are the Sponsorship Requirements for Green Cards for Your Family?

There are certain requirements that the sponsor must meet in order to sponsor a green card for his or her family members. The requirements for sponsoring a green card for your family include:

• Being a U.S. citizen or LPR;
• Being older than 18 years of age;
• Possessing adequate financial resources to support the family member(s);
• Being able to file an Affidavit of Support to show that the family member(s) will not become a public charge; and
• The relationship between the sponsor and the applicant; since the sponsor is only allowed to sponsor certain family members.

What Are the Steps in Filing a Family Green Card Application?

The steps in filing a family green card application include:

Checking the Visa Bulletin – Checking the visa bulletin is the first step in filing the family green card application. It is very important for you to check the visa bulletin frequently because the government issues the visa numbers based on the application dates, and if the application dates are not current, you may not be able to file the application.

Checking the visa bulletin is the first step in filing the family green card application. It is very important for you to check the visa bulletin frequently because the government issues the visa numbers based on the application dates, and if the application dates are not current, you may not be able to file the application. Gathering the Necessary Documents – As soon as you confirm that the application dates are current, you will be required to gather all the necessary documents.

As soon as you confirm that the application dates are current, you will be required to gather all the necessary documents. Filing the Application – After you have gathered all the documents, the next step would be to file the application.

After you have gathered all the documents, the next step would be to file the application. Submitting the Supporting Documents – Once the application has been filed, you will be required to submit the supporting documents.

Once the application has been filed, you will be required to submit the supporting documents. Receiving the Visa – After the application has been filed and processed, the National Visa Center will then issue the visa numbers. Once you have received the visa numbers, your visa application will be forwarded to the U.S. consulate.

After the application has been filed and processed, the National Visa Center will then issue the visa numbers. Once you have received the visa numbers, your visa application will be forwarded to the U.S. consulate. Attending the Visa Interview – After you have filed the application and submitted all the required documents, the final step would be to attend the visa interview. The interview will be conducted at the U.S. consulate. The U.S. consulate will then grant you the visa.

How Can You Check the Application Dates for the Visa Bulletin?

The visa bulletin is the document that is published by the Department of State every month. The visa bulletin contains the application dates for the visa numbers.

The visa bulletin is an important document because it shows which categories of family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas are available for the month.

The visa bulletin is published on the U.S. Department of State’s website every month. You can visit the website and check the visa bulletin.

How Long Does the Process of Filing a Family Green Card Application Take?

The process of filing a family green card application takes about five to seven months.

Pricing – How Much Does It Cost to File a Family Green Card Application?

The pricing of the family green card application includes:

• Form I- 130, Petition for Alien Relative: $535
• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: $1,140
• Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative: $775
• Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition: $775
• Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence: $590
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA: $120
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record: $0 to $675
• DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application: $325
• DS-261, Choice of Address and Agent: $0
• DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application: $190
• DS-156K, Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application: $265
• DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration: $325
• DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application: $190
• Biometric Services Fee: $85
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-600): $1,170
• Petition for Alien Relative (I-130): $535
• Petition to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence (I-751): $590
• Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (I-360): $535
• K3/K4 Nonimmigrant Visa: $265
• DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration: $325
• Affidavit of Support (I-864): $120
• I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver-$1,010
• Visa Application Fee (MRV)- $265

How Can a Lawyer Help You with Your Family's Green Card Application?

Immigration lawyers will help you with your family's green card application in the following ways:

• Gather all the necessary documents;
• File the application;
• Submit the supporting documents;
• Prepare for the visa interview; and
• With the entire family's green card application process.
  
  

What Should You Do If You Have a Criminal Record and/or Are Inadmissible?

If you have a criminal record or you are inadmissible you should consult an immigration lawyer before you file your application.