Serving Clients Across The U.S. And Around The World

What are the different types of visas for immigrant families?

On Behalf of | Aug 27, 2021 | Immigration

If you are a naturalized citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring family members into the country, you will have to get them a visa. There are different options available for your family members. It’s important to know what these visas are and who are eligible for them.

What is family-based immigration?

As a person living permanently in the United States, you will eventually want your family members to join you. In this situation, you can rely on family visas to bring over various members of your family. Certain criteria must be met in order to apply. The foreign family member must be sponsored by an immediate family member who currently lives in the country and is at least 21 years old. The family member sponsoring their relative must either be a citizen of the U.S. or a lawful permanent resident with a green card.

What are the different types of family visas?

There are two different types of family visas that a foreign person can acquire if they want to come into the country. They include the following:

• Immediate relative: This visa is available for people with close familial relationships with U.S. citizens. That person could be a spouse, parent, or child. There is no limit per year on how many immigrants in this category can come into the country.
• Family preference: This visa is available for more distant relatives of U.S. citizens and for some with certain relationships with a lawful permanent resident. The number of these immigrants who can come into the country each year is limited.

U.S. citizens are free to petition for immigrant visas for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. U.S. lawful permanent residents can only petition for immigrant visas for their spouses and unmarried children.

If you wish to bring a family member into the country, it’s important to understand the rules and procedures regarding the visas available and who is eligible to be brought in.