Family immigration in the United States allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor certain relatives for a visa to live permanently in the country.
U.S. immigration law divides family immigration into two main groups:
Limitations: The number of visas in this category is subject to annual quotas, which can result in long wait times.
The K-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the country for the purpose of getting married within 90 days of arrival.
Key requirements for a K-1 visa:
* The couple must have met in person at least once in the past two years (exceptions apply for strict cultural or religious reasons or extreme hardship).
* After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for Adjustment of Status to obtain a Green Card.
The process begins with the sponsoring relative (U.S. citizen or Green Card holder) filing a petition with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Once the petition is approved, the immigration process continues based on the category of relatives and their location.
Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and green card holders to petition for certain family members to obtain lawful status in the United States.
U.S. citizens can petition for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Green card holders can petition for spouses and unmarried children.
The timeline depends on the category and the beneficiary’s country of origin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are processed faster than other categories.
An immediate relative is a spouse, parent (if the petitioner is over 21), or an unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen.
Yes, most applicants must attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or with USCIS before receiving a visa or green card.
It depends on the category. Some may be eligible for a temporary visa (like K-1), but most must wait for petition approval.
The family member can apply for a visa or green card—either through adjustment of status (if in the U.S.) or consular processing (if abroad).
In most categories, yes. For example, spouses and children may qualify as derivative beneficiaries.
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