Family-Based Green Card
Family belongs together. Start the path to a green card.
- Form I-130
- Form I-485
U.S. citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members, such as parents and children, for a green card.
We help you choose the right petition and put every document in its place, from the first form to the last.
What we take care of
- The right petition for your family
- Petition and green card application prepared
- Civil documents and financial support organized
Overview
A family based green card lets a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsor certain relatives to live permanently in the United States. Every case starts with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by the citizen or green card holder to prove the family relationship.
U.S. citizens can sponsor immediate relatives, meaning spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents if the citizen is at least 21, and there is no annual limit on these visas. Other relatives, such as adult or married sons and daughters and brothers and sisters of citizens, as well as spouses and children of green card holders, fall into preference categories with annual limits. Their waiting times appear in the Department of State Visa Bulletin.
After the I-130, the relative either applies to adjust status inside the U.S. with Form I-485, if eligible, or goes through consular processing with the National Visa Center and a U.S. consulate abroad. The sponsor generally signs Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to show they can support the relative. If you want to sponsor parents for a green card, you must be a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older. Approval is never guaranteed.
Who this is for
- U.S. citizens 21 or older who want to sponsor their parents
- U.S. citizens sponsoring unmarried children under 21
- U.S. citizens sponsoring adult children or brothers and sisters
- Green card holders sponsoring a spouse or unmarried children
- Relatives already in the U.S. who may be eligible to adjust status
- Families whose relatives will complete the process at a consulate abroad
How it works
Identify the category
We review the relationship and the sponsor's status to identify the category, whether immediate relative or preference, and the likely route.
Collect relationship proof
We give you a checklist of birth, marriage and identity documents, plus translations, and organize what you send.
Prepare Form I-130
We prepare Form I-130 with supporting evidence, and when the relative is in the U.S. and eligible, the adjustment forms such as I-485 and I-864.
Review the package with you
You review the full package with us before filing, so every name and date matches the documents.
Next steps and updates
We keep you updated on USCIS notices and explain the next stage, whether adjustment of status or the National Visa Center process.
Documents you'll usually need
- Sponsor's proof of U.S. citizenship or green card
- Birth certificates proving the relationship
- Marriage certificates and name-change documents, where relevant
- Relative's passport and, if in the U.S., I-94 and visa
- Sponsor's tax returns and proof of income for Form I-864
- Certified English translations of foreign documents
- Passport-style photos
Timing
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens do not wait for a visa number, while preference categories can take years depending on the category and country, as shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin. USCIS processing times and fees also change regularly. Check the current processing times and fees USCIS publishes on uscis.gov before you file.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sponsor my parents for a green card?
You must be a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older. You file Form I-130 for each parent, and they then apply through adjustment of status in the U.S. if eligible, or through consular processing abroad. Parents are immediate relatives, so there is no wait for a visa number.
Who can I sponsor for a family based green card?
U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses, children, parents and siblings. Green card holders can sponsor spouses and unmarried children. Some categories have long waiting times.
What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the Department of State. It shows which priority dates can move forward in each preference category, which tells you when a relative can take the next step.
What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status means applying for the green card with Form I-485 inside the U.S. Consular processing means the relative completes the case through the National Visa Center and an interview at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Can a green card holder sponsor parents or siblings?
No. Green card holders can sponsor only spouses and unmarried children. To sponsor parents or siblings, you need to be a U.S. citizen.
Do I need to show income to sponsor a relative?
Generally yes. The sponsor signs Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, showing income or assets above the required level. If income is not enough, a joint sponsor can sometimes help.
This page is general information about how these applications usually work, not advice for your specific case. USCIS rules, forms and fees change; check uscis.gov for the latest.