Family Preference Green Card

At N400 Harbor Immigration Law, we know how important it is to keep your family together. The immigration process can often feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to help you bring your loved ones to the United States through the family preference green card system.

What Is a Family Preference Green Card?

A family preference green card allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor certain family members for permanent residency. Unlike visas for immediate relatives, these green cards fall under specific categories with yearly limits.

This program prioritizes family unity, ensuring loved ones can reconnect and build their lives together in the U.S.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

The family preference categories are divided into groups based on the relationship to the U.S. sponsor. Each category has its own eligibility criteria and annual visa caps:

  • F1: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens.
  • F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents.
  • F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of lawful permanent residents.
  • F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
  • F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 or older).

It’s important to note that immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—like spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21—do not fall under the family preference system because they have no annual visa cap.

The Application Process

Applying for a family preference green card involves several steps. Here’s how the process typically works:

1. File a Petition

The U.S. sponsor files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the qualifying family relationship.

2. Wait for Visa Availability

After USCIS approves the petition, the applicant must wait for a visa to become available based on their preference category and priority date. This waiting time varies depending on the category and the applicant’s country of origin.

3. Choose Your Path

  • Adjustment of Status (if in the U.S.): File Form I-485 to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.
  • Consular Processing (if outside the U.S.): Work with the National Visa Center and your local U.S. embassy or consulate to complete the process.

4. Attend the Interview

The applicant will attend an interview with a USCIS officer (for adjustment of status) or a consular officer (for consular processing). This step ensures that the applicant meets all requirements for the green card.

5. Receive a Decision

If approved, the applicant will receive their green card, granting permanent residency in the United States.

Key Considerations

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you navigate this process:

  • Visa Backlogs: Because family preference categories have annual limits, applicants may face long wait times depending on their category and country of origin.
  • Priority Dates: Your place in line for a visa is determined by the date the I-130 petition was filed.
  • Derivative Beneficiaries: Spouses and unmarried children of the primary beneficiary may also qualify for green cards under the same petition.
  • Grounds of Inadmissibility: Applicants must meet U.S. admissibility requirements, which consider factors like criminal history, health, and prior immigration violations.

How We Can Help?

The family preference green card process can be complex, but we’re here to make it simpler. At N400 Harbor Immigration Law, we offer hands-on support every step of the way.

Our Services Include:

  • Personalized Case Review: We take the time to understand your family’s unique situation and recommend the best approach for your case.
  • Detailed Documentation: Filing forms accurately is critical. We handle all paperwork to reduce delays and errors.
  • Ongoing Communication: We keep you informed about your case status and liaise directly with USCIS or consular officials on your behalf.
  • Interview Preparation: We’ll guide you and your family through the interview process, addressing any potential concerns in advance.
  • Resolving Complex Issues: Whether it’s visa backlogs, questions of admissibility, or other hurdles, we’ll work to overcome obstacles so your family can be reunited.

Take the First Step Today

Are you ready to bring your family closer? Let us help. Contact N400 Harbor Immigration Law today for a consultation.

Call us at (305) 396-8882 or complete our online form to get started. Conveniently based in Pompano Beach, Florida, we proudly serve clients locally and worldwide.

Family is worth the effort—let us help you take the next step.