Family-Based Green Card

One of the most-used methods of getting a Green Card is through a member of the family.  The two sets of eligible relationships are as follows:

  • Relatives of U.S. Green Card Holders
  • Relatives of U.S. Citizens

Eligibility

In order to sponsor a family member to immigrate to the United States, the sponsor must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of the U.S. and be able to provide documentation proving that status.
  • Prove the ability to support the relative at 125% above the mandated poverty line with an Affidavit of Support.

A lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of permanently living and working in the United States. A lawful permanent resident can file a petition for the following relatives:

  • Husband or wife
  • Minor unmarried children (under the age of 21)
  • Unmarried adult son or daughter of any age

A U.S. Citizen of any age (either by birth or by naturalization) can file a petition for the following relatives:

  • Husband or wife
  • Minor unmarried child (under the age of 21)
  • Unmarried adult son or daughter (21 or older)
  • Married son or daughter of any age

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years or older can file a petition for the following relatives:

  • Brother or sister, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old
  • Parent, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

Documents Required for Filing

There are two stages to a family-based petition before the family member, known as the beneficiary, becomes a permanent resident:

1) Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
The Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen (sponsor) completes and submits the I-130 Petition on behalf of the beneficiary.  Proof of the relationship must be included along with other required documentation.  The current USCIS filing fee is $355.00.

2) Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or Consular Processing (CP)
The family member will need to determine how they will file for their Green Card.  If the family member is already in the U.S., they can choose to file Adjustment of Status (AOS) or Consular Processing.  If the family member is outside of the U.S., they will need to file through Consular Processing.

Status within the United States

The I-130 petition alone will not provide the beneficiary with status to stay in the U.S.  To remain in the U.S. while waiting for a current Priority Date, the beneficiary must have valid non-immigrant status or through another Green Card application pending.(for example, an employment-based case).  Once the beneficiary has an AOS petition pending with the USCIS, they will be eligible to stay in the U.S. while it is being adjudicated.

Preference Categories

Depending on the category and country of birth, there are backlogs in visa numbers for some of the family-based categories.  The Priority Date (the date the I-130 was received by USCIS for processing) and Visa Bulletin determine when the beneficiary of a family-based applicant can expect their Green Card.

Immediate relatives do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number to become available once the visa petition filed for them is approved by USCIS. The relatives in the limited family-based categories must wait for an immigrant visa number to become available.

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

Immediate relatives of US Citizens (including spouses, unmarried children under 21, orphans adopted either abroad or in the US, and parents) currently have no backlog in visa number availability.  Eligible sponsors can file the I-130 and AOS petitions concurrently if the beneficiary is already within the U.S.  If adjusting though Consular Processing in the beneficiary’s home county, the National Visa Center will forward the required documents once the I-130 is approved.  Please note, a child does not have derivative status in an immediate relative (IR) petition.

Limited Family-Based Immigrants

These types of immigrant classifications involve specific family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident. Under immigration law, there are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants as explained below.

  • Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their children, if any. (23,400)
  • Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (21 and older) 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 adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children. (23,400)
  • Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of United States citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizen sponsors are at least 21 years of age. (65,000)

Children under 21 of immediate relatives being sponsored cannot benefit from permanent resident petitions of their parents.  A separate petition must be filed for each child.  In Category F2 [spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult sons and daughters (21 years and older) of lawful permanent residents], children do benefit from their parent’s petition.

Please note, a child does not have derivative status in an immediate relative (IR) petition. This is different from the family second preference (F2) petition. A child is included in his/her parent's F2 petition. A child is not included in his/her parent's IR petition.

Conditional Permanent Resident Status for Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

If the beneficiary receives the AOS or CP approval before the two-year anniversary of their marriage, they will receive Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status and the CPR card will only be valid for two years.  Within the 90-day period before the CPR card expires, the CPR must complete and file Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence.  The purpose of this form is for a conditional resident who obtained status through marriage to apply to remove the conditions on his or her residence.

The USCIS will require proof that the marriage was entered in "good faith" and not for the purposes of evading immigration laws.  Any evidence that shows the U.S. Citizen and CPR are still in a legitimate relationship can be submitted. 

Effect of Not filing 

If this petition is not filed, the CPR will automatically lose their permanent resident status as of the second anniversary of the date on which the conditional status was issue.  They will then become removable from the U.S.

Affidavit of Support

While there is no required minimum age to file a family-based petition (unless specified for a particular category), the sponsor must be at least 18 years of age to file the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864.  The affidavit of support is required to show that the sponsor can financially support the relative(s) for whom they are petitioning.

If the Sponsor cannot prove they meet 125% of the poverty guidelines for their household size, a co-sponsor must commit to providing the required financial support.

Medical Examination and Vaccinations

Before becoming a permanent resident, each applicant must have a medical exam completed by a USCIS Certified Civil Surgeon (or Consulate approved doctor if filing through Consular Processing).   The medical will include any vaccinations required by U.S. immigration laws.

When a Legal Permanent Resident Becomes a U.S. Citizen while a Family-Based Petition is Pending

If the I-130 petition was filed for a relative when the Sponsor was a Legal Permanent Resident, the petition must be upgraded once the Sponsor becomes a U.S. Citizen.  This can benefit many family-based petitions, because the retrogression effecting relatives of Legal Permanent Residents is greater than that affecting relatives of U.S. Citizens. A copy of the Sponsor’s Naturalization Certification and the biographical page from the U.S. Passport must be filed as proof in order for the USCIS to upgrade the pending family-based petition.

Children of applicants in Category F2 benefit from their parent's petition.  Once the Sponsor has upgraded the petition from that of a Legal Permanent Resident to that of a U.S. Citizen, these children must file a petition of their own, as they will no longer benefit from a parent’s petition.

Ineligible Relatives

Certain conditions and activities may make a relative ineligible for a U.S Permanent Residency. Examples of these ineligibilities are:

  • Drug trafficking
  • Having HIV/AIDS
  • Overstaying a previous visa
  • Practicing polygamy
  • Advocating the overthrow of the government
  • Submitting fraudulent documents

A relative may also be refused a visa if the Petitioner or Applicant provided a willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or in the event of fraud.

For details provided by USCIS on family-based cases, please review the attachments.

1. For Green Card Holders:  How do I help my relative become a permanent resident?
2. For US Citizens:  How do I help my relative become a permanent resident?

Comments

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Nisha (not verified) on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 02:12 Permalink

I got married last month ! My husband is a GC holder and next year is going to become Citizen , I have my GC (I-140- Approved) with a priority date of September 2019 on EB3 . What are my best options here ? Do I wait for him to become a citizen and then apply for my GC through his citizenship ? Or shall I apply GC now through his GC status, before he becomes a citizen ? Or shall I wait for mine ? will my pending GC still be valid case if i apply through my spouse ?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

You should apply through as many green card categories as are available to you. The family-based green card can be upgraded once he becomes a US citizen. You will be able to get and keep the green card through whichever category comes through first.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Rajiv S. Khanna on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 07:59 Permalink

In my opinion, you should apply for your green card through the family-based category right now. Remember, you can have your green card processed through unlimited categories simultaneously. You can take whichever one comes first.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Have couple of questions on this -

1. What happens to my H-1B ? will it remain as is till I receive GC ?

2. The duration of applying and receiving GC now Verses of Applying after my spouse becomes US citizen how much it is i.e. the time duration approx.

3. In case I have to visit my home country (India) in between is there any rules which I should know of ?

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Submitted by Ramadoss.N (not verified) on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 21:54 Permalink

Hi, I have been sponsored by my daughter to get a family Green Card. I received my Green Card during Sept 2018 under the catagory IR0. My question is when I am eligible to apply for US citizenship. ( whether I am coming under 3 years or 5 years category) . Kindly clarify. Regards

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Pranati (not verified) on Wed, 03/09/2022 - 13:27 Permalink

Hello I am looking to sponsor Green card for my parents . They do not have the Birth Certificate. They have a Non-availability Certificate, do they need Affidavits-2 as well or is the Non -availability certificate sufficient. Thank you

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Fahima Hilal (not verified) on Wed, 03/16/2022 - 18:58 Permalink

My son got married in jan 2021. He filed GC for his wife in June 2021. She is in India and just got the I-130 Approved. What are the next steps? WHen can we expect her GC to be approved? SHe is pregnant now and does not want to travel before delivery in September 2022

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Sangeetha (not verified) on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 13:40 Permalink

Hi I want to apply for my parents green card. they don't have birth certificate and no NABC certificate. I have notarized copies confirming the birthdate in passport is correct. can i still apply for greencard?

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Submitted by Rajiv S. Khanna on Mon, 03/28/2022 - 08:19 Permalink In reply to by Sangeetha (not verified)

The US CIS expects us to prove that the originals are not available, even though the state department clearly states that people born before the early 1970s do not have mandatory birth registrations. So, arrange to get letters of non-availability of birth certificates from local administrations.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Nandagopal SVG (not verified) on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 01:28 Permalink

My son is a US citizen. We the Indian biological parents have come to US on B2 visa in November 2021 and are permitted to stay till May 19, 2022. We want to file I 130 and I 485. Not able to decide because 1. We the parents do not have marriage certificate--married in 1979 when registration was not compulsory 2. We do not have birth certificates both born in 1953 and 1964 respectively 3. Our names are partially appearing in my son's birth certificate and not in full as per our passports. Can we file with available evidence or should we go back to India to try for marriage certificate and corrections in my son's birth certificate.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Vimal Kumar Chowdhry (not verified) on Sun, 05/15/2022 - 06:46 Permalink

I am interested in knowing the process for such reinstatement. This GC was obtained as an unmarried child of a Permanent Resident. Parents never got citizenship and let their GCs expire. The child stayed in the US for around 5 years and then left the US and got married in India and decided to stay there. The accidental death of the spouse after approximately 9 years of marriage s resulting in considering the reinstatement of the GC. Will that be possible. GC holder also has a child that is about 13 years old at the present

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by lakshmi (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2022 - 02:42 Permalink

hi, my daughter is 21 years old u.s citizen. we re located to India when she was 1.5 year old. currently she is doing her undegraduation in India. it will take another 3 years for her to finish her undegraduation in India. after she finishes her under graduation she wants to settle down in usa. MY question is with out physically staying in usa can she sponsor parents under immediate relative category, through consular processing. If we buy a house in u.s or maintain some fixed deposits will it help in domicile requirement. what are the ways to prove the domicile with out physically staying in usa. she can come for a 15 days to usa if required as she is pursuing her studies in India.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Sachin (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2022 - 10:19 Permalink

Can my mother’s brother who is a US citizen sponsor my dad as my mother is no more? Is there any way my dad can get a green card given only my mother’s immediate relatives are US citizens?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Deepti K (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2022 - 16:25 Permalink

My son has completed his high school in India and awaiting GC interview dates. Since his GC is pending, he needs to get into Undergrad soon. Can he come here on F1 and go for a GC interview in India?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Anna Golwitzer (not verified) on Sun, 07/03/2022 - 07:12 Permalink

My husband and I are living in S.Korea. He has had his green card for more than 5 yrs but has been out of the country due to my job. We are moving back permanently but would like to know the best, most expedient process to follow.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Mrugesh Trivedi (not verified) on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 15:25 Permalink

I just received green card. My daughter is 25 years and aged out of file. I want to file I-130 for her. She is applying for medical program. Will filing I-130 lead to rejection of her student visa ? Currently she is on OPT. We have lived in US since last 15 years. I do not want to jeopardize her change to get into Med school by filing I-130.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Ayman (not verified) on Sat, 08/20/2022 - 03:52 Permalink

My wife just received her immigrant visa to the USA. It expires Dec 13, 2022. My wife is a teacher with 20 years experience and is currently on a teaching contract in Egypt which ends July 2023. She plans on coming to the USA on Oct 21, 2022 for five days to activate her Green Card (stamp her visa), but she needs to go back to Egypt to finish her contract. That is important to her as she will need a good recommendation from her school to secure future employment in the USA and also not to abandon her current students during a school year.

So the short question is: can she come on October 21, 2022 for five days then make the permanent move in July 2023? her IV stamp would be valid for 1 year until October 21, 2023?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Pramila Hari (not verified) on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 11:33 Permalink

Planning to file I-130 for my mom and choosing consular processing, then she would travel to India in couple of months. Is this OK, If she tries to come back to The US early next year, will there be any issues at the port of entry? Once she is back in The US, can I change consular processing to AOS? Is that allowed?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Trupti Solanki (not verified) on Fri, 08/26/2022 - 04:34 Permalink

My mother had applied for my GC under F3 category. Today I received the letter but my mother has expired. Is this letter valid now? Am I still eligible for GC?

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Sanjida (not verified) on Mon, 10/03/2022 - 17:46 Permalink

My father applied for EB3 VISA. Now waiting for interview..and our full family is also waiting for interview.. I'm in "live in relationship" with my boyfriend..if I get pregnant in the mean time.. am I still eligible for GC with my family

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Submitted by Rajiv S. Khanna on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 07:23 Permalink

Pregnancy does not interfere with your derivative eligibility. Reaching 21 years of age or marriage does.

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Submitted by Nimarta Bawa (not verified) on Fri, 12/16/2022 - 01:50 Permalink

Hello, I live in Virginia and have a valid Greencard. But my brother who is 36 years old and lives in India surrendered his Greencard few years ago. Is there anyway he can renew it? He wishes to immigrate to the US.

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

I do not know any way to revive a surrendered green card. Apply again.

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Yogesh Agarwal (not verified) on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 22:48 Permalink

I am a naturalized US citizen. My father is 80 years and widowed. I want to sponsor green card for him and bring him to US to stay with me. I understand I have to file I-130 petition and provide necessary documentation. Form I-130 requires marriage certificate of my parents. My father doesn't have marriage certificate and since my mother is not alive it is not possible to get a marriage certificate. I would like to know what documentation can be submitted in lieu of marriage certificate as a proof to show that my parents were married before my birth and that I was born out of wedlock of my parents.

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Vivek Makwana (not verified) on Sat, 01/28/2023 - 02:11 Permalink

My mother got her GC last year on Feb-23-2022. She travelled to India for 4 months - Sept-7-2022 to Jan-5-2023. We have a wedding to attend in India on Jun-27-2023. Wanted to ask if it is OK for her to travel to India for less than 2 months from May-20-2023 to July-15-2023 ?? It is like, she will be traveling again within 4.5 months.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Rajiv S. Khanna on Sun, 02/26/2023 - 07:31 Permalink In reply to by Vivek Makwana (not verified)

Usually, absence from the US for less than six months should not create a problem. Keep proof of the marriage you are attending.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Jason Aylott (not verified) on Sat, 01/28/2023 - 02:31 Permalink

My daughter (19) plans to move to US from UK as soon as she has a successful outcome of I-130 petition. Will she be able to go to school and work here while she waits for GC that she will apply for upon arrival?

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

This will require some discussion. You are welcome to post a message for our next community conference call. We have one almost every other Thursday. https://forums.immigration.com/forums/free-conference-call-for-us-immig…

If you cannot wait, feel free to set up a consultation with us: https://www.immigration.com/our-fees

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Keya Patel (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 15:46 Permalink

Hello Sir! My question is that can my minor brother join my father in the interview in IR5 category? My mother already got visa approved. My father's interview date is on March 31, 2023. Is there any way to request consular general for my brother? Thank you!

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

The children of your parent you petitioned as a US Citizen do NOT qualify as a derivative. They have to be applied for separately. You can request a tourist visa for the minor.

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Kamal Agnihotri (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 19:13 Permalink

Sir, In 2005, I petitioned for my brother and his family under F4 category. The petition was approved. For the last two years, my brother and his family are waiting to get the medical appoinment date. Could you tell me when would my brother and his family get the medical appoinment date. I will be happy to provide any additional info, if you need. Thanks a lot.

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Submitted by Aashka (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2023 - 01:47 Permalink

Hi, I am inquiring to ask whether there are any chances for the F3 visa file to open anytime soon. My grandfather filed a petition for my father and his independents on 10 November 2009. I am 25 year old on F1 visa in the US and my H1B draw was just picked this year, and my younger brother is 21 year old studying in India. Any chances that we both can get green card from our immigration file?

Disclaimer
This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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