FAQs About Petitioning for Family Immigrants

As a U.S. Citizen, Can I Petition for My Daughter and Granddaughter (Her Daughter)?

U.S. citizen petitioners face limitations on sponsoring derivatives of relatives who qualify through them.

Who Counts as a Child When Getting an Immigrant Visa or Green Card?

Not only natural-born children, but also adopted and stepchildren can immigrate through their parents if certain conditions are met.

When Children Can Immigrate to the U.S. With Their Parents as "Derivatives"

Here is when you can take the derivative visa route to immigrate and when you cannot.

Can More Than One U.S. Family Member Petition for the Same Immigrant?

Having more than one person file a visa petition for an intending immigrant provides a potentially crucial backup plan.

When Can an I-130 Be Filed With USCIS at the Same Time as a Green Card Application?

Before you mail in Form I-130, find out whether your relative is, if living in the U.S., allowed to also submit the remainder of the green card application.

Your Relative Had Children After I-130 Approved - Can They Immigrate Too?

In most cases, children who arrive after the I-130 visa petition is filed can immigrate along with other derivative children.

Will USCIS Accept a Late-Registered Birth Certificate?

Dealing with situations where the immigrant beneficiary does not have a birth certificate from around the time of birth.

What If I Die Before the Immigrant I'm Sponsoring Gets a Green Card?

Planning for the worst, given long waits in immigrant processing.

How Your Naturalization Affects Your Child’s Application for a U.S. Green Card

Your child's application for permanent residence can either speed up or slow down as time goes by and two significant things possibly happen: you go from LPR to naturalized citizen, or your child turns 21.

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.

Can You Petition Fiancé for K-1 Visa After Cancelling Previous Petitions?

What happens if a U.S. citizen cancels an I-129F petition for a foreign-born fiancé and then later meets someone new, and wants to file another such petition?

What Should I Do If I Believe I'm a Victim of Immigration Marriage Fraud?

Possibilities for revoking the green card of an immigrant who conned someone into a sham marriage.

Can I Sponsor My Same-Sex Partner for a U.S. Green Card?

Does the process for applying for a green card as part of a same-sex married couple differ from the process for a same-sex couple?

Which Crimes Bar You From Filing I-130 Petition for Immigrant Spouse

Under the Adam-Walsh Act, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have criminal convictions for sex offenses against a minor cannot petition for family members to receive U.S. residence (green cards).