Family based immigration allows certain U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born families. There are two ways family-based immigrants are admitted to the United States, through the family preference system or as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.
Immediate relative visas are not subject to numerical limitations. These include:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens;
- Unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of U.S. citizens;
- Parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old; and
- Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizens.
The following Family Preference visas are subject to numerical limitations:
First Preference | Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children, if any |
Second Preference | Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of legal permanent residents |
Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children |
Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age |
Contact Belmonte & De La Torre Law Firm, P.L.L.C. at (602) 753-5383 to speak to an Immigration attorney about how to sponsor your family member for residency.