For many families, immigration is about one thing: being together. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for a green card. The process involves several government agencies, detailed evidence and, for some categories, years of waiting, and a mistake along the way can cause long delays. We guide families through every stage, from the first petition to the green card interview.
Who can be sponsored
U.S. citizens may sponsor:
- Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and, if the citizen is at least 21, parents. As “immediate relatives,” they are not subject to annual limits and generally have the shortest wait.
- Fiancé(e)s, through a K-1 visa that allows the couple to marry in the United States.
- Adult sons and daughters, married or unmarried, and brothers and sisters, through the family preference categories, which have annual limits and waiting periods set by the Visa Bulletin.
Green card holders may sponsor their spouses and unmarried children.
Marriage-based green cards
Marriage cases receive close scrutiny. The couple must show that the marriage is genuine, not simply that a marriage certificate exists. We help you assemble convincing evidence of your shared life, such as joint finances, a shared residence, photographs and communications, and prepare you thoroughly for the interview.
If you have been married for less than two years when the green card is approved, you will receive conditional residence for two years and must file jointly to remove the conditions before it expires. If the marriage has since ended, a waiver may still be available, and we can help.
Planning a prenup as well? See Marrying a Foreign National: Will a Prenup Affect the Green Card?
The process
- The petition (Form I-130) establishes the family relationship.
- Adjustment of status, for eligible relatives already in the United States, allows them to apply for the green card without leaving, often with work and travel authorization while the case is pending.
- Consular processing, for relatives abroad, runs through the National Visa Center and an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, such as the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou for applicants from mainland China.
- Affidavit of support. The sponsor must show enough income or assets to support the relative, and a joint sponsor can help when needed.
- Waivers. When a relative has a past immigration violation or other issue, we evaluate whether a waiver is available before filing.
Our approach
We begin by reviewing each family member’s full immigration history. Problems are far easier to address before a case is filed than after. We prepare complete, well-organized filings, translate and explain every requirement in English or Chinese, and stay with you through the interview and beyond, including removing conditions and planning for citizenship.