Family-based immigration serves as a major avenue for foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States permanently. This pathway enables individuals to receive immigrant visas by being sponsored by family members who are either U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). These eligible relatives are required to file petitions with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their foreign national family members, initiating the process for securing their immigrant status.
Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens receive preferential treatment in the immigration process, holding the highest priority for obtaining immigrant visas and permanent resident status. According to the definitions provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), foreign nationals categorized as immediate relatives are exempt from numerical visa caps, which allows them to immigrate to the U.S. more swiftly compared to those in preference categories. This expedited process facilitates quicker reunification of families.
The USCIS identifies immediate relatives as:
Spouses of U.S. citizens,
Unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens,
Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizens,
Orphans to be adopted in the U.S. by U.S. citizens,
Parents of U.S. citizens provided the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old.
Fiancé(e) Visas
At iVISASOLUTION, we specialize in facilitating the K-1 nonimmigrant visa process for U.S. citizens who are engaged to foreign nationals. The K-1 visa, commonly referred to as the Fiancé(e) Visa, is designed to allow foreign-citizen fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens to enter the United States with the purpose of getting married within 90 days of their arrival.
Our services include comprehensive assistance in preparing and filing the necessary visa application paperwork to ensure that all requirements are met efficiently and correctly. We guide our clients through each step of the process, from initial application to the final preparations for the visa interview, ensuring a smooth and clear path towards obtaining their fiancé(e) visa. Our aim is to provide expert support to couples on their journey to begin their married life in the United States.
Family Preference Categories
Non-immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and close relatives of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) navigate the family-based immigration process through a system known as the family preference visa categories. This system is distinct from the process for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, as it involves a waiting period due to numerical limitations and priority dates that are established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The family preference categories are structured as follows:
- (F1) First Preference: This category is designated for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older, and their minor children, if any. Applicants in this category must wait for a visa to become available based on their priority date.
- (F2) Second Preference: This category encompasses the spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 and over of Lawful Permanent Residents. Notably, at least 77% of all visas available in this category are allocated to the spouses and minor children of LPRs, with the remaining visas designated for unmarried sons and daughters.
- (F3) Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, along with their spouses and minor children, fall into this category. They must also wait for a visa to become available according to their priority date.
- (F4) Fourth Preference: This category includes siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizen sibling is at least 21 years old.
Each of these categories requires applicants to patiently wait for a visa to become available, which can vary in time depending on the specific preference and the current demand for visas in that category.