Family Based Visa

Understanding Family-Based Visa Sponsorship Categories

As mentioned above, there are two types of sponsorship categories. Each has its own set of eligibility requirements, quotas, and application timelines.

Immediate relatives are defined as any of the following:

Parent of a U.S. citizen

Spouse of a U.S. citizen

Minor, unmarried children of a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative visas are unlimited annually, ensuring no wait times for availability. Applicants wil still have to wait some number of months for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and accept their applications, but otherwise, there should be no arbitrary delays.

Preference relatives include:

Siblings of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is at least 21 years old)

Adult, married children of a U.S. citizen

Unmarried children of a U.S. lawful permanent resident

Spouse of a U.S. lawful permanent resident

Lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, are able to sponsor their spouses and unmarried children, but do not receive the "immediate relatives" classification - and the ease and priority that comes with it. It's important to note that extended family members are not eligible for sponsorship. This is intentional, as U.S. citizens and green card holders are intended to only be able to sponsor their more immediate family members. However, should a citizen sponsor their parents, for example, and they eventually become citizens, the naturalized parent would be able to sponsor their sibling (the original citizen's aunt or uncle) under the preference relative category. This process is sometimes referred to as "chain migration," and, despite its politicization, is completely legal and acceptable.

Family-Based Visa Support in Sherman Oaks

In Sherman Oaks, the journey through the family-based visa process can often feel overwhelming, especially for families navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration laws. This is particularly true for marriage visas, where couples must meet strict requirements to prove the legitimacy of their relationship. Whether you are a U.S. citizen looking to bring a relative from abroad or a lawful permanent resident seeking to reunite with family members, understanding the nuances of the family-based visa process is crucial. Local resources, such as the City of Los Angeles and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), provide valuable information, but the process can still be fraught with challenges.

Many families in Sherman Oaks face common pain points, such as lengthy processing times, documentation requirements, and the emotional toll of separation. Our team at Zadykyan Law is dedicated to alleviating these concerns. We understand that each family's situation is unique, and we are committed to pro Welcome to Zadykyan Law I'm here if you have any questions or need help! guidance tailored to your specific needs.

Wait Times for Preference Relatives

Only 140,000 green cards are issued to preference relatives in any given year. Often twice as many or more file for sponsorship in that same period, leading to extremely long wait times. The allocation process is somewhat complex, but some categories of relative types get more green cards than others; for example, adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizens get the highest preference, while siblings of U.S. citizens receive the lowest. Additionally, there are caps on visas issued to certain countries, meaning if you are attempting to sponsor a relative from popular countries of origin, like Mexico and the Philippines, you are likely to endure an even longer wait than average.

Adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizen (first preference) - 7 years if not from Mexico or the Philippines

As of February 2020, applicants faced the following average wait times in each preference relative category:

Spouses or children of U.S. lawful permanent residents (second preference) - presently no substantial wait for spouses and minor children, 6 years for adult unmarried children not from Mexico or the Philippines

Married adult children of U.S. citizens (third preference) - 13 years if not from Mexico or the Philippines

Siblings of U.S. citizens (fourth preference) - 14 years if not from Mexico, India, or the Philippines