Unlocking Family-based Immigrant Visas and Sponsorship Opportunities If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you have the potential to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Discover the process and eligibility criteria involved.

Eligible Categories for Family Immigrant Visas Initiating the process for a family-based immigrant visa is the initial stride towards your sponsored individual becoming a permanent resident. There are two principal categories for this type of visa:

Immediate Relative Visas Designed for close relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, or parents. This visa category has an unlimited number of available visas and encompasses:

• IR1 and CR1 for spouses
• IR2 for children
• IR5 for parents

Family Preference Visas Reserved annually, a limited number of family preference visas cater to:

• Other relatives of U.S. citizens, such as eligible children or siblings:
  • F1 visas for unmarried children aged 21 or older
  • F3 visas for married children
  • F4 visas for siblings
• Spouses and unmarried children of legal permanent residents (Green Card holders):
  • F2A visas for spouses and unmarried children under 21
  • F2B visas for unmarried children aged 21 or older

For detailed insights into each immediate relative and family-sponsored visa category, refer to the U.S. Department of State’s immigrant visa categories chart.

Steps for Applying for Permanent Residency for a Family Member To sponsor your family member, complete and submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130. Each sponsored individual requires a separate Form I-130, which can be submitted online or via mail.

The immigration process for your relative entails both you, as the sponsor, and your relative, as the visa applicant, fulfilling the necessary steps. The process diverges based on whether your family member is already in the U.S. or abroad.

• If your family member is in the U.S., explore the Adjustment of Status process.
• If your family member is outside the U.S., acquaint yourself with the steps for Consular Processing.

Submitting Form I-130 marks the inception of the immigration visa process. Discover the subsequent steps, including National Visa Center (NVC) processing, fee payments, required supporting documents, and interview preparation.