US Family Class

What is the US Family Class?

The US Family Class promotes family unity. Depending on your relationship to your sponsor, you may be eligible for a green card, fiancée or K-3/K-4 non-immigrant visa. The family class can be broken down into two sub categories:

1. Immediate Relative

• Spouse

• Single children (under 21 years of age)

• Parent (over 21 years of age)

1. Family Preference

• Spouse

• Children (over aged 21)

• Married children with any children of theirs if applicable

• Siblings, and their spouses or children

Once you are eligible you will need to go through the two step process to obtain the Legal Permanent Residence:

1. The US resident (your relative) must file a visa petition specific to the visa you are applying for to the USCIS. While the approval for the petition is pending, you will then apply for Legal Permanent Residence (LPR)

2. Application for an immigrant visa. You can apply from inside the US or from a consulate abroad.

If you are qualified an under non-immigrant status, you can apply within the U.S to attain the LPR.

There are special considerations given to the two categories. The Immediate Relative category is prioritized more. As a result, there is not much of a wait and there is no limit on how many immigrants can be accepted.

However for the family preference category there is a longer waiting period and there are restrictions on how many immigrants in this category can be accepted per a year. Thus, it is harder to come to the U.S. under the family preference category.

Keep in mind your family member who is sponsoring you must either be a US citizen or a green card holder.

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you are looking into sponsoring your family members to the US and need help with the application process feel free to contact us and will be glad to assist you with your US immigration matters.