Green Card Family Processing Times

Green Card Family Processing Times

Did you know that US citizens can sponsor their alien parents, children and siblings? Under US Immigration law if you are currently a green card holder and you are eligible for US citizenship, then taking this next step could really help you to sponsor your family members who want to relocate to the US.

US Immigration has ‘categorized’ or ‘prioritized’ these family members. Immigration law does not allow you to sponsor or be sponsored by aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and close friends.

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Employers can, but that’s another subject.  If you are the minor child (under 21) of a US citizen, including a step-child ( under 18), you can be sponsored into the US and begin your life with a green card. For step-children the step- relationship should have been established before the child reaches 18, and for adopted children before the age of 16. US Immigration does not have a numeral limit on green cards available for parents and child of the US citizen, thus these green cards can be processed relatively quickly, between 6-12 months on average.

The next category is for children who are over 21 and single, and have at least one US citizen parent. These aliens fall into a lower of priority called “preferences”. These preferences run  as follows: –

US Immigration Green Card Waiting Times

First:  Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens

Second: Aliens Being Sponsored by Green Card Holder not US Citizen.
Please note – Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

Please Note – A.  Spouses and Children:

Please note – B.  Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older)

Third:  Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens

Fourth:  Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens

 Below is a breakdown of the current waiting time as at the time of this post.

Click here to view the current Visa Bulletin to see up to date wait times for the above referenced preference categories.

Green Card Wait Times

As you can see for all the preferences the wait time can be many years. Despite the long waiting period, it could still be worthwhile to file these applications to help your family members. While their case waits “in line” we may be able to help to develop an interim immigration strategy that will get them here on one visa until their green card sponsorship comes through.

For aliens who do not have US citizen family members to help them, the road to getting a green card is very hard indeed. But you could make all the difference for your family by going from being a green card holder to becoming a US Citizen.  We would certainly welcome your call if you’d like us to take care of your family members in this way.

Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
401 Wilshire Boulevard, 12th Floor,
[Cross Streets 4th and Wilshire]
Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292

Specializing in the E2 Visa, EB1 Green Card, L-1A Visa and O1 Visa and K1 Visa Marriage-Based Immigration. Attorney Chris M. Ingram is dedicated to providing the very best in US Immigration legal representation. Enjoy our website.

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