Family Based Immigration in Texas

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens include:

• A spouse.
• Unmarried sons and daughters of a U.S. citizen below the age of 21 years.
• The parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years old or above.

Family Preference Immigrant Visas

Family preference immigrant visas are used for more distant family relationships with U.S. citizens. They are also available for limited specific familial relationships of green card holders, also known as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

The number of visas granted under this category every year is limited. No further visas are processed once the limit is reached for the year. The pending visas are entered into a visa queue for processing at a later date.

U.S. citizens can file a family preference immigrant visa petition for their:

• Unmarried children aged 21 years or older (limited to 23,400 per year). This is known as the family first preference category (F1).
• Married sons and daughters (limited to 23,400 per year.) This is known as the third preference category (F3).
• Siblings are subject to the condition that the U.S. citizen is 21 years old or above (limited to 65,000 per year.) This is known as the fourth preference category (F4).

An immigrant visa petition can be filed by a person having a Lawful Permanent Resident status/green card holder only for the following:

• Spouse and unmarried minor children aged below 21 years. This is known as the second preference category (F2A).
• Unmarried adult children (aged 21 and above). This is known as the second preference category (F2B).

F2A and F2B visas are collectively limited to 114,200 visas per year.

A minimum of 77 percent of visas available for this category are allocated to spouses and unmarried minor children. The balance is given to unmarried children aged 21 years or more.

If you want to launch a Family Based Petition, it may be a good idea to consult an experienced family-based immigration attorney in Texas. That way, you will likely start on the right footing.

Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, provides representation for clients at Immigration Court. His experience and human touch make it possible to provide immigration services with dedication and commitment.

Steps to Apply for a Family-Based Green Card in Texas

The following are the general steps that you will need to take to apply for a family-based green card in Texas:

1. The sponsor files a petition for the immigrant with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. If the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will assign a case number.
3. The NVC will request certain documents from both the sponsor and the sponsored individual.
4. Once all required documents are submitted, the NVC will review them and schedule an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy in the sponsored individual’s home country.
5. The sponsored individual attends the visa interview and must pass a medical exam, background check and have all necessary documents with them.
6. If approved, the sponsored individual can travel to the U.S. on their immigrant visa and will receive their green card in the mail within a few weeks of arrival.