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FAMILY BASED

The wide variety of educational facilities in the United States offer great opportunities for students wishing to further their education and training. The intellectual stimulation and social experiences of studying in the U.S. will be vital parts of a student's growth and development. Foreign national students who want to study in the U.S. usually apply for the F-1 visa. Although the J-1 and M-1 Visas (for vocational students) are sometimes used, most foreign students enter in F-1 status. Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are allowed to join you in the U.S., under F-2 status. A prospective student's Form I-20A-B may be used to request an F-2 visa. If your spouse and/or dependant children are joining you later, they will need to submit Form I-20A-B, endorsed from the school you are attending. F-2 visa holders can not work while in the U.S.

STEPS

There are two categories for unlimited family-based immigration:

• Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): A spouse, widow or unmarried child under the age or 21 of a U.S. citizen. This category also includes parents of adult U.S. citizens
• Returning Residents (SB): Immigrants who previously lived in the U.S. under lawful permanent resident status. These individuals should be returning to live in the U.S. after being abroad for more than one year.

There are four preference categories for limited family-based immigration:

• First Preference: Unmarried children over the age of 21 of U.S. citizens.
• Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents, their unmarried children under the age of 21, and unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents.
• Third Preference: Married children of U.S. citizens.
• Fourth Preference: Siblings of adult U.S. citizens.

Your relative should first submit an immigrant visa petition, I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. This form should be accompanied by proof of your relationship to your relative.

Upon approval of this petition, the Department of State will determine if an immigrant visa number is available for you. When a number becomes available, you may apply for assignment of that number. 

DOCUMENTS

In order to sponsor a relative for lawful permanent residency, you must prove the following:

• You are a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• You can support your relative at 125% above the mandated poverty line.
• You must also show proof of your relationship with your relative.

IMMIGRATION FORMS

Download Immigration Forms at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.