U.S. Immigration Law known as the Immigration and Nationality Act allows U.S. Permanent Residents to file for certain family members. Under the current Law, green card holders can only file to sponsor their spouses or unmarried children. You must first obtain your U.S. Citizenship through the Naturalization process before you can sponsor your parents.
I am a U.S. Citizen. If I marry someone who is not a U.S. Citizen or green card holder, do they automatically become a U.S. Citizen?
No, they do not automatically become a U.S. Citizen. You must first file form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative to begin the process for your spouse to obtain permanent resident status. If they are legally present in the United States, they may be eligible to also file for Adjustment of Status with USCIS. If they […]
How long will it take to bring my wife from outside the U.S.?
After you file the I-140 Petition for Alien Relative, it takes USCIS about 5 months to complete processing. The case is then sent to the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). NVC takes about 3 months to complete processing at which time the case is sent to a U.S. Consulate in your wife’s home country […]
My wife has had her interview at the consulate and her Green Card was approved. Is there anything else we need to do before she comes to the U.S.?
Your wife will need to pay the Green Card fee to USCIS before she comes to the U.S. This fee is charged by USCIS to create the actual green card. The fee is $165 and is paid online at: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-immigrant-fee.
I am a U.S. Citizen. If I file for my parents, will my brother and sister also get a green card?
Unfortunately under current law, your minor brother or sister would not get a green card if you file an Immigrant Visa Petition for your parents. Parents of U.S. Citizens are classified as “Immediate Relatives” and there is no “tag along” status for minor children. After your parents obtain their green cards, your parents could file […]