FAQs About Petitioning for Family Immigrants

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If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident planning to petition for one of your family members to immigrate to the United States, you've probably got lots of questions. Who can you petition for or sponsor? How much will this cost? What are the application procedures? What could go wrong? Find answers here.

Questions About Basic Eligibility and Application Procedures

How long will it be before my parents and brothers can immigrate here?
Understanding how differences in supply and demand of immigrant visas (green cards) leads to long waits for some -- but not all -- family members.
Can my family ask USCIS to waive the green-card application fees?
Be careful -- claiming financial need could trigger a finding that your immigrating family members are inadmissible as likely public charges." "
Is there a way to hurry up my new wife's green card interview?
How to make sure your case hasn't been inordinately delayed.
What do I put for my husband's address on Form I-130 when he's in the U.S. illegally?
Dealing with the risks of sponsoring an undocumented relative.
Can I sponsor my same-sex partner for a green card?
Limitations on, and possibilities for, obtaining U.S. residence for a gay or lesbian partner.
Will my wife's past visa overstays hurt her chances of getting a green card?
How spending time in the U.S. unlawfully impacts someone's eligibility for U.S. lawful residence.
Can my wife stay in the U.S. while she awaits her green card?
Problems faced by spouses of U.S. permanent residents who must spend time on a waiting list to apply for a green card.
Can a transgender spouse obtain a green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen?
Recent rulings make it possible for to obtain a green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or resident where one spouse has undergone sex-reassignment surgery.
Will the I-601A provisional waiver help my undocumented husband from Mexico get a green card?
For would-be immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and are married to U.S. citizens, the I-601a provisional waiver offers new hope for a path to a green card.
Can my girlfriend change status in the U.S. to K-1 fiance?
Although a noncitizen can't get a fiance visa from within the U.S., you may be able to simply get married and apply for a green card.

Questions About Unusual Situations in Petitioning for Family

What If I Change My Mind About Petitioning for My Family Member to Immigrate?
With the passage of time or changes in life circumstances, family petitioners sometimes realize that they're no longer able or comfortable sponsoring an immigrant. Find out what to do next.
What If I Die Before the Immigrant I'm Sponsoring Gets a Green Card?
Planning for the worst, given long waits in immigrant processing.
What should I do if I believe I am the victim of marriage fraud?
For U.S. citizens and residents who think they've been conned.

Additional Resources

How to Get a Green Card
This Nolo book provides detailed information on how to obtain family-based green cards, including sample forms.

Fiance & Marriage Visas: A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration
Marrying someone from another country? Get all the information you need to adopt the best strategy for your application,prepare for meetings with immigration officials, and prove your marriage is the real thing.