Any citizen of a foreign country desiring to live in the U.S. permanently must get an immigrant visa. One way to acquire an immigrant visa is for an immediate family member living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident or citizen to sponsor their relatives.
Family-based visas are a prevalent option for Texas residents. Here is more on family visas and how they apply in different situations.
Immediate relatives
One way to get an immigrant visa and green card is to apply for an immediate relative visa, which requires a relationship with one or more U.S. citizens or permanent residents of close familial ties, like a child, spouse or parent. There is no limit on the number of people who can get visas through this method.
Family preferences
More distant relatives and people related to lawful permanent residents in the U.S. can apply for family preference visas. However, there is a limited number of these visas available each year.
U.S. citizens
A U.S. citizen can file a petition to get an immigrant visa for numerous familial relationships. These include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
Lawful permanent residents
Lawful permanent residents have much fewer options when it comes to filing petitions for immigrant visas for their relatives. The only relatives they can bring to the U.S. are spouses and unmarried children.
Understanding how this information applies to them is critical for people looking to apply for one. In addition, it can help people understand the best action and take the necessary next steps.
