Overview

Relatives or family members of U.S. citizens or Green Card holders who wish to reside permanently in the United States may apply for a green card based on their family relationship.

This immigrant visa is divided into two (2):

I: Unlimited Family-based Immigrant Visa

* Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR) which applies to the spouse, widow(er) and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older
* Returning Residents (SB) refers to Immigrants who lived in the United States previously as lawful permanent residents and are returning to live in the U.S. after a temporary visit of more than one year abroad.

II. Limited Family-based Immigrant Visa

• Family First Preference (F1) - Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their children, if any
• Family Second Preference (F2) - Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (over age 20) 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.
• Family Third Preference (F3) - Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children.
• Family Fourth Preference (F4) - Brothers and sisters of United States citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age

The attorney can assist you in preparing and completing your application. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the Standard questionnaire and the payment form online. Then submit.
2. Within a few minutes, we will e-mail you a (a) Visa application questionnaire, (b) our Retainer Agreement, and (c) a checklist of documents required to support your application. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter "N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
3. Print the attachments that we have e-mailed you.
4. Proceed by filling out the Visa Application Questionnaire. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter 'N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
5. Review the list of required supporting documents to be attached to the Visa Application Questionnaire.
6. Sign and date the Retainer Agreement.
7. Mail all the documents back.
8. The Attorney prepares your application upon receipt of the documents from you. A copy will be e-mailed to you for review and corrections.
9. The original application will be e-mailed to you as a PDF document for printing, signing and sending back.
10. The Attorney then files your application with the BCIS.