Green cards through family
A green card for your spouse, parent or child
A citizen or permanent resident files a petition; the relative then applies for the green card, here or at a U.S. consulate abroad. Each step has its own form, fee and wait, and we keep the whole sequence in one file.
What we file
Petition for a relative (Form I-130)
Green card application inside the U.S. (Form I-485)
Immigrant visa interview at a consulate abroad
Removing the conditions on a two-year green card (Form I-751)
Waivers when a past problem could block approval
Who can start
Which relative are you filing for?
The relationship decides how long the case takes. A first call sorts out which category yours falls in.
Husband or wife
Marriage to a citizen or permanent resident. We help you gather proof that the marriage is real: leases, bills, photos and travel.
Mother or father
An adult U.S. citizen can petition for a mother or father. The parent can usually apply without a wait for a visa number.
Sons and daughters
Unmarried children of citizens and of permanent residents, from small children to adult sons and daughters.
Brothers and sisters
A citizen can petition for a brother or sister. The line is long; we show you how to read the visa bulletin for your category.
Before we file
What slows a case down
Most delays come from the file, not from the government. We check for these before anything is sent:
- A birth or marriage record with a different spelling of a name.
- A past entry, stay or arrest that raises a question the form asks about.
- An affidavit of support from a sponsor whose income or paperwork falls short.
- A foreign record that arrives without a signed translation.
When a problem turns up, we tell you what it means for your case in plain words before deciding together whether to file.
Family green card questions
I'm a permanent resident. Can I petition for my spouse?
Yes. A permanent resident can petition for a spouse and for unmarried children. Becoming a citizen later can shorten the wait and opens more categories.
My spouse entered without inspection. Can they still get a green card?
Sometimes. It depends on how and when they entered, and whether a waiver is available. That is the first thing we review in a consultation.
How long until I hear anything?
It varies by relationship, by the category, and by the office handling the file. We give you a range at the start and update it when the government publishes new dates.
Bring the relationship, and a list of the papers you have
We'll tell you what is missing and which form comes first.