Family-Based Green Cards

Personal Legal Service from Our San Mateo Immigration Lawyer

Individuals may immigrate to the U.S. based on a relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Spouses, parents, and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of U.S. citizens can qualify for a green card as an immediate relative. The immediate relative category has no annual quota restrictions, making this avenue one of the faster routes to obtaining a green card.

At The Alagiri Immigration Law Firm, we are backed by more than a decade of experience as a firm. We pride ourselves on providing clients worldwide with personal, efficient service that helps achieve their goals. Over the years, we have established a track record of success and maintained our commitment to our clients. Our founding attorney comes from a family of immigrants and she understands the difficulties that you face, especially when loved ones are involved.

Preference Categories for Non-Immediate Relatives

The other categories for obtaining a green card through a family member have annual visa quota restrictions and are broken down into four preference categories.

These categories are as follows:

• First Preference: This category includes unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is over the age of 21).
• Second Preference: This category includes the spouses and unmarried sons or daughters of lawful permanent residents. Spouses and sons and daughters under the age of 21 constitute the family-based second preference “A” category. Sons and daughters over the age of 21 constitute the family-based second preference “B” category.
• Third Preference: This category includes the married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• Fourth Preference: This category includes brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens age 21 and over.

Additional Routes to Permanent Residence for Family Members

Other routes to permanent residence involve marriage to a U.S. citizen:

• K1 Fiancé Visa: A K1 fiancé visa allows a foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen to travel to the U.S. to marry the U.S. citizen.
• K3 Spouse Visa: The K3 visa is a visa that allows spouses of U.S. citizens who have pending immigrant visa petitions to enter the U.S. The U.S. citizen spouse would adjust status to a permanent resident once the immigrant visa petition is approved. The purpose of the K3 visa is to shorten the time that a married couple must remain apart while an immigrant visa petition is pending.