It is sometimes quite a challenge to belong to a family where some are in one country and others are overseas. The good news is that there are many different types of visas and relevant family-based immigration petitions. These are made available by the immigration department so as to allow families, spouses, and other relatives to unite in America.
Immediate family members
These visas and the petitions are available to those with an immediate relationship, such as parents, a spouse, children, and siblings, of a US citizen. The United States government makes it very simple, easy, and straightforward for such relatives to migrate to the USA. All that is necessary is for the citizen in question to fill in an I-130 form immigration form which is an immigration petition. It is filled on the behalf of family members.
Thereafter, the immigration department will inform the consulate in the relevant country about the impending application. The family member will then be required to fill an I-485 form at the local embassy, so that their status is altered to permanent resident. This is in case the family member is in the USA.
When they are overseas, they can visit the nearest US consulate and apply for a relevant US visa. As soon as the immigration petition is approved, they will be issued with an immigrant visa immediately.
The other family members
The other members of the family, such as grown kids, married kids, adult siblings, and others, can successfully file immigration petitions. They have special designations such as first preference, third preference, and so on, depending on their relation to the US citizen who is their relative. While these may take some time to be processed, they could eventually receive their visas.
Others who can receive additional visas are family and relatives of US permanent residents. These individuals can consult a family-based immigration expert at the Davis Law Firm for assistance. We can help you understand all you need to know about family-based immigration petitions.