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| Family Based Green Card Overview United States Citizens and Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders) are permitted to sponsor their family members. US Citizens are able to sponsor their immediate relatives and the advantage is there are no wait times once a green card application is approved. US Citizens are also able to sponsor relatives in addition to immediate relatives, however, there are wait times associated with each wait time discussed in detail below. Green Card holders may sponsor their spouses and children, however, there is a long wait time for a green card to be made available once an application is approved. US Citizen Sponsors & Their Immediate Relatives As mentioned above, US Citizens may sponsor their immediate relatives whereby there are no limits in the amount of available visas. The disadvantage of immediate relative sponsorship is the beneficiary is not permitted to bring their accompanying relatives (i.e. spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21). Immediate Relatives are defined as: • Spouse; • An unmarried child under the age of 21; • A parent, if the US Citizen Petitioner is 21 years of age or older. US Citizen Sponsors/Lawful Permanent Residents & Their Preference Relatives US Citizens are able to sponsor certain relatives that are not defined as immediate relatives. Lawful Permanent Residents are able to sponsor their immediate relatives. There are four preference groups defined by the relationship to the sponsoring US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. Unfortunately, there are not enough green cards as approved lawful permanent resident applications. Consequently, there is a long wait time to receive a green card once the applicant’s green card application is approved. Each wait time is based upon the respective preference group the applicant is in. 4 Preference Groups - Overview The preference groups along with the amount of available visas for each preference group are as follows: First preference: Unmarried, adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Adult means 21 years of age or older; (23,400) Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents, their unmarried children (under twenty-one), and the unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents; (114,200) At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to the spouses and children; the remainder will be allocated to unmarried sons and daughters Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens; (23,400); Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. Citizens. (65,000); Preference Relatives & Accompanying Relatives: It is important to note that preference relatives are permitted to bring their accompanying relatives once their Green Card application is approved and there is an available visa. Accompanying relatives are defined as: a spouse or unmarried children below the age of 21. Family based green cards are extremely complicated and detailed and require the attention of a skilled attorney. Contact Cipolla & Pelud P.C. for a consultation |
| Legal Notice Cipolla & Pelud P.C. is a Chicago, US based law firm specializing in immigration law along with protecting and asserting the rights of immigrants in areas beyond immigration law. Immigration law is federal in nature. Cipolla & Pelud P.C. does not claim expertise in the laws of states or countries other than where our attorneys are licensed. Cipolla & Pelud P.C. retains clients only after following specifically stated immigration consultation procedures. The information contained on this website is intended to provide general education to its users and is not intended to provide solutions to specific problems, facts, or cases. Users of this website are not encouraged to resolve individual immigration issues on the basis of information contained herein and are strongly advised to contact an immigration lawyer. Please contact Cipolla & Pelud P.C. so that we may consult with you based on your specific immigration issue or other legal issue. Copyright © 2007-2008 Cipolla & Pelud P.C. -- All Rights Reserved. Immigration Attorney ChicagoCipolla & Pelud P.C. 3257 N. Sheffield Ave. Suite 104 Chicago, Illinois 60657 Phone (773) 687-0549 Fax: (773) 525-4947 info@ImmigrationVisaUS.com |
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| CIPOLLA & PELUD P.C. IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM CONNECTING IMMIGRANTS TO AMERICA |