Immediate Relative Family Petitions and Green Card Applications

One of the fastest ways to get an immigrant visa or green card is through an I-130 immediate relative petition.  U.S. citizens are allowed to petition for certain qualified relatives to come and live permanently in the United States. Eligible immediate relatives include the U.S. citizen’s:

1. Spouse
2. Unmarried child under the age of 21
3. Parent (if the U.S. Citizen is over the age of 21)

There is no visa number restriction for immediate relatives because they have special immigration priority. Therefore, immediate relatives do not have to wait in line for a visa number to become available.

Obtaining Green Cards Within the United States for Immediate Relatives

Spouses and parents of US citizens who are in the United States are eligible to apply for green cards as long as they entered the United States legally and have no grounds of inadmissibility. The immediate relative can file the application for permanent residence concurrently with a family relative visa petition filed by the US citizen.  The process generally takes about three to six months.  Such process applies to the unmarried child under 21 if he/she enters the United States legally and maintains legal status. Stepchildren may also qualify as “Immediate Relatives” if the marriage creating the stepparent/stepchild relationship occurred before the stepchild’s 18th birthday.

Immediate Relatives Outside the United States

If the immediate relative is overseas, he/she can become a permanent resident through consular processing. The process begins with the US citizen filing a family relative I-130 visa petition. Once the petition is approved, the National Visa Center will initiate the immigrant visa application process (pkt.3&4). An immigrant visa will be granted upon approval at the Consulate interview. The process usually takes about a year.

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.