Immediate Relative Green Cards

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service permits US Citizens and, in some cases, US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to petition for the admittance of their immediate family members into the US as lawful permanent residents entitled to US Green Cards.

Although this can be a very lengthy process, if you have immediate family members living abroad that you would like to bring to the United States, the Family Based Permanent Residency classes of Green Cards may be the perfect choice is your ultimate goal is obtaining US Permanent Residency for your foreign family members.

Benefits

The primary benefit of a family based US Green Card application is that once issued, the bearer is a US Permanent Resident. There is no need to enter the US with a traditional visa and then pursue a lengthy process of "status changes" and Green Card holders are authorized to take up gainful employment immediately upon their arrival in America without having to prearrange an approved job offer.

In short, once a Green Card has been issued, the holder is a US Permanent Resident and the only additional paperwork that needs to be completed will be to request the removal of any conditions attached to the their Green Card after 2 years of living in the United States.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to sponsor a relative to immigrate to the United States you must meet the following criteria:

- You must be a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and be able to provide documentation proving your status.

- You must prove that you can support your relative at 125% above the mandated poverty line to meet a requirement of the affidavit of support.

- If you are a US Citizen you may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the United States; however you must be able to provide proof of the relationships:

- Husband or wife;

- Unmarried child under 21 years old;

- Unmarried son or daughter over 21;

- Married son or daughter of any age;

- Brother or sister, if you are at least 21 years old; or

- Parent, if you are at least 21 years old.

- If you are a lawful permanent resident you may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the United States; however you must be able to provide proof of the relationships:

- Husband or wife; or

- Unmarried son or daughter of any age.

Depending upon the petitioners exact relationship to a foreign national immediate family member, the process of applying for and obtaining a US Green Card can take anywhere from 8 months to 16 years to complete.

For more information and a specific assessment of your eligibility for a family based US Green Card petition, please complete our online assessment for or contact our US branch office today.

Dependent Immigration

Spouses and dependant children under the age of 21 can be included on US Green Card applications provided that they are supported 100% by the primary beneficiary of the application. In cases involving joint custody, legal documentation must be provided in order to ensure that all parties with a responsibility for a child's well being are aware of the intent to pursue permanent residency in the United States.

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