top of page
RESIDENCE PER FAMILY
Family petition: the legal path to reunite
If you are a citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor a green card for your spouse, children, parents, or siblings. The right path depends on three things—your status, your relationship to the family, and the country—and choosing wisely from the start can save your family years.
que es
THE ESSENTIALS
What is a family petition and how does it work?
This is the process by which a U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitions for a green card for an immediate family member. It begins with the I-130 petition filed with USCIS—which establishes the relationship—and ends with the family member receiving a green card, either through consular processing in their country or through adjustment of status within the U.S.
It sounds simple, and sometimes it is. But the order of the steps matters more than in almost any other area of immigration: filing before resolving an admissibility issue can turn a reunion into a separation of years.
🪪 Your status — citizen or resident: defines who you can ask and how fast.
👨👩👧 The family relationship — spouse, child, parent, or sibling — determines the category and the line/wait time.
🌎 The country and migration history — define the real timelines and whether a waiver is needed.
a quien puedo
WHO CAN I ASK?
Who can you ask based on your status?
Find your case in 10 seconds. Green: no queue. Amber: with queue (visa bulletin). Red: not available at this time.
I am an American citizen
I can ask...
My spouse
My unmarried children under 21
My parents (if I am 21+)
My unmarried children over 21
My married children
My siblings (if I am 21+)
My fiancé(e)
IMMEDIATE · NO LINE
IMMEDIATE · NO LINE
IMMEDIATE · NO LINE
F1 · WITH ROW
F3 · WITH ROW
F4 · WITH ROW
K-1 VISA
I am a permanent resident
I can ask...
My spouse
My unmarried children under 21
My unmarried children over 21
My parents
My married children
My brothers
F2A · SHORT ROW
F2A · SHORT ROW
F2B · WITH ROW
NO — NOT YET
NO — NOT YET
NO — NOT YET
tiempos
HONEST TIMES
The two speeds of the family request
All requests use the same form — but they don't travel at the same speed. The difference lies in whether your category has a queue.
.png)
- Immediate family members: no line
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of citizens. There is no annual quota: the processing time is determined by the procedure, not a waiting list.
✅ Visa always available — no visa bulletin
✅ Possibility of filing everything together (I-130 + I-485) if your relative is legally in the U.S.
✅ Work permit while the adjustment is being decided
- Preference categories: with row
F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4 have annual quotas per category and per country. Your submission date determines your place in line.
✅ The wait varies from years to decades depending on the category and country (Mexico is one of the most backlogged in F4)
✅ Arriving early secures your spot — even if the line moves slowly
✅ We show you the actual visa bulletin for your case under consultation
PROCESO
OUR METHODOLOGY
Your family request, step by step
1
WEEK 1
Case consultation and map
Your status, your family relationship, and your relative's immigration history: we leave the consultation with the correct category and the actual times.
2
THE ARMOR
Admissibility audit
We review entries, exits, status, and background BEFORE submitting. If there is a ground for inadmissibility, we design the pardon strategy first.
3
THE REQUEST
I-130 with a solid record
Documented kinship and, in cases of spouse, evidence of good faith organized as read by the officer.
4
THE ROUTE
Adjustment of status or consular process
We choose the route based on your family member's location and history—not out of habit. Each route has different advantages and risks.
5
THE SUPPORT
Affidavit of Support and final file
Income, co-sponsor if necessary, and the complete consular or adjustment package, without loose ends.
6
THE REUNION
Interview and final support
We prepare your family member for the interview and follow up until the green card is in hand.
bottom of page