Family Sponsored Immigration requires the participation of at least two of the family members, a petitioner and a beneficiary. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident that wants to sponsor a foreign family member (beneficiary) for a green card. The beneficiary is the foreign family member that wants to obtain a green card.

All Family-Based Immigrants fall into one of two major categories. The categories define the type of relationship that the immigrant has with the U.S. sponsor, and to a large extent, the priority that the immigrant will receive in obtaining a green card. The immediate relative categories are the most desirable.
Immediate Relative:

There are only a few immediate relative categories available. They are reserved for the spouse, unmarried children and parents of U.S. citizens. The specific categories are:

• Spouse of a U.S. citizen;
• Unmarried child (under 21 years of age) of a U.S. citizen;
• Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen;
• Orphan to be adopted in the United States by a U.S. citizen;
• Parent of a U.S. citizen (who is at least 21 years old).

If you do not fit in one of these categories, you may fit into the family preference categories.

Family Preference:

The family preference categories are all other eligible family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a lawful permanent resident. The family preference categories include:

• Unmarried, adult sons and daughters (age 21 or over) of U.S. citizens;
• Spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) of permanent residents;
• Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents;
• Married sons and daughters (any age) of U.S. citizens;
• Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

The number of family preference immigrant visas is limited. That’s because immigration law puts a numerical cap on the number of green cards that can be issued to family preference categories each year.

The family-based immigration process generally begins with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The I-130 petition establishes an eligible relationship and is a request for a visa number.

The I-130 petition is just the beginning of the process. The intending immigrant must apply for a green card via consular processing or adjustment of status.

Our Immigration Support Services team at SKJ Juris have thorough knowledge & hands-on experience in dealing with Family Sponsored Immigration matters for our Attorney clients. We are known for our speed, trust, cost efficiency and expertise and are committed to do our best. Get in touch with our experts today!