Family visas and green cards
Bringing family close, and keeping them here
A U.S. citizen or green card holder can ask to bring certain relatives to live here permanently. We prepare that petition, and the green card application that follows, so it's right the first time.
Some families finish the process inside the United States. Others need an interview at a consulate abroad, sometimes with a waiver first. Which path fits yours depends on how each person entered, how long they've been here and who is asking for them. We sort that out at the first consultation, before you pay for any filing.
What we prepare for families
Spouses and fiancés
Marriage petitions, with the proof of a real relationship that officers look for.
Parents
Petitions from adult U.S. citizen children for their mothers and fathers.
Children
Sons and daughters, under 21 or older, married or single, each with its own wait.
Brothers and sisters
Petitions from U.S. citizens for siblings, and a plan for the long wait.
Green card applications
Adjustment of status here, or consular processing abroad, with the interview prepared.
Waivers
Provisional waivers for unlawful presence, when a relative must leave to finish the process.
What families ask about petitions
Can I apply if I entered without inspection?
Sometimes, but usually not from inside the country. Many people in that situation can still get a green card through a consular interview, often with a provisional waiver approved first. The details matter, so bring what you have to the consultation.
How long does a family petition take?
From several months for the spouse of a citizen to many years for a brother or sister, depending on the relationship and the country. When you come in, we show you the current wait for your category.
Tell us who you hope to bring here
Bring birth and marriage certificates if you have them. If you don't, come anyway.