Family Preference I-130 Petitions

Preference petitions are family petitions that involve members of the family other than immediate relatives. Sibling petitions and petitions of US Citizens for their parents are examples of preference petitions.  What distinguishes these from immediate relative petitions is that preference petitions entail longer waiting periods. The wait depends on the specific type of petition, visa availability or whether priority dates are current, and the country of birth of the beneficiary. The age of the child and her/his marital status and the fact that the spouse is a permanent resident and not a U.S. Citizen, are also indicative of what preference the petitions are in.

The types of preference petitions are:

1. First Preference: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens. 
2. Second Preference: Spouses, children under 21, and unmarried sons and daughters 21 years or older of permanent residents.
3. Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens
4. Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens

The U.S. Visa Bulletin indicates which petitions at specific priority dates are being processed. This chart changes every month and should give the family members involved an idea of how long the waiting times are.

Our Services: Our office will review every aspect of your case and prepare all the necessary application documents. If there are aging out, 245(i), or criminal issues, we will prepare the brief in support of your eligibility which will accompany the filings. You will be informed of the expected time frame of each step. We will also prepare you for the interview if there is one, and may accompany you at the interview.