How To Obtain A Family Visa
Certain allotments are made by the U.S. immigration laws for non immigrant visa holders, U.S. citizens and lawful enduring residents to fetch their dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age) on a certain kind of visa known as family visa. A lawful enduring resident is a technical term, which signifies a foreign national who has been allowed to live and work freely without any legal hindrance in the United States. To become a legal permanent resident depending on the condition that you have a relative who is a citizen of the United States or a relative who is a legally recognized Permanent Resident, a multi-step process is to be treaded.
First, the USCIS has to approve your immigrant visa petition. Your relative/sponsor submits this petition for you and there has to substantial evidence of a relation with this aforesaid relative of yours. Second, the Department of State has to decide if an immigrant visa number can be made available to you immediately in which case you are the foreign national in the United States. This is crucial to you obtaining your family visa. When such a visa number is allotted to you can file an application to have the number assigned to you. The Department of State's Visa Bulletin provides the status of a visa number. Third, in case you are residing in the United States in case of obtaining a family visa one could file an application to alter the pre-assigned status to that of a lawful permanent resident when a visa number has already been assigned. An immigrant visa number can be secured this way. Outside the U.S. the U.S. consulate comes in handy in case you have to process your application. Note: For family visa: Information centered on the new K (advance admittance for the partner and family of a U.S. citizen) and new V (advance admittance for the partner and the minor dependents of a lawful permanent resident) non immigrant sections can be opted for but not included here. Eligibility The following rules and regulations represent the eligibility criteria to sponsor a relative to immigrate to the United States: -You have to be a citizen or a legitimate enduring resident of the United States and must be able to furnish sufficient documents in evidence of your status. -You have to be equipped to support your relative at 125% above the marked poverty line. -A US Citizen can petition for the following foreign national relations to immigrate to the United States obviously with adequate considerations for the evidence to be produced (under family visa). - Wife or husband; - Unmarried child below 21 years of age; - Unmarried daughter or son over 21 years of age; - Married daughter or son of any age; - Sister or brother, if you are at least 21 years of age; or - Parent, in case you are at least 21 years old. A legalized enduring resident can petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the United States obviously with adequate considerations for the evidence to be produced (under family visa). - Wife or husband - Unmarried children of any age. The following regulations serve as criteria for eligibility for legal enduring residence with regards to a family visa: -The applicant has to have a relative who is a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States. He/she has to furnish the authorities with documents proving the relationship status you share with him. Also his/her will to sponsor you for lawful permanent residency has to be expressed by filing the Petition for Alien Relative. -The relative's income must be 125% over the calculated poverty line for the concerned family, including you and every sponsored family member. -In case of your relative being a US Citizen, he/she can legally provide evidence that a relationship is in existence between both of you. This will enable you to be eligible for legally recognized stable residency. The preference category information below can be consulted for further details on family visa other any other kind of visa. |
