FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for the immigration of foreigners to the United States based on relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The purpose of this is to re-unite family members in the United States. If the United States citizen does not plan to live in the United States, he/she cannot request a visa for other family members.
Family-based immigration falls under two basic categories: unlimited (immediate relatives of U.S. citizens) and limited (other relatives).
Unlimited Family-Based:
- Spouse, widow (er), unmarried children under 21 and parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older.
- Men or women traveling to marry a U.S. citizen
Limited Family-Based:
- Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their minor children
- Spouses, minor children and unmarried sons and daughters(over age 21) of lawful permanent residents.
- Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children.
- Brothers and sisters of United States citizens and their spouses and minor children provided the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years of age.
In all cases, the immigration process requires a petition (application) to be filed on the inmigrant’s behalf.
For more information on how to file a petition, please access the followimg Internet site
www.uscis.gov
If you have any questions, please contact us at: consularsanjose@state.gov
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