Montgomery Family Visa Categories

One of the most popular types of visas offered under federal law is the family-based visa. Through this program, close family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents have an opportunity to pursue their own visa through their relative’s status.

Of course, not all family-based visas are the same. One benefit of working with a skilled family immigration attorney is receiving help on selecting the appropriate visa option. Let an attorney provide guidance on the Montgomery family visa categories to help you determine what type could suit your family’s needs.

Immediate Relative Visas Offer a Priority

Immediate family members of United States citizens get priority throughout the immigration process. An immediate relative of a citizen may include that person’s spouse, parents, or children. There are some limitations, however. Only a citizen over the age of 21 can sponsor their parents for a green card. Likewise, a citizen can only sponsor their child if the child is under the age of 21 and unmarried.

It is important to keep in mind that the family preference process could still be an option for non-immediate family. However, the family preference system usually takes far more time compared to immediate relatives. An immediate relative visa could be completed in under a year, and there is no annual limit on the number of visas issued.

It is up to the U.S. citizen serving as a sponsor to initiate the formal process of applying for an immediate relative visa. The sponsor must file something known as Form I-30, which is also referred to as the Petition for Alien Relative. If the petition is granted, the family member will still need to interview at the consulate. A Montgomery attorney is available to help guide families through this category of visa applications.

Family Preference Visas Are Most Common

Family preference visas are a common option in the immigration system, given that far more people are eligible for family preference visas compared to immediate relatives. This visa program benefits countless family members of citizens and foreign residents each year.

There are several types of family relationships that could qualify for preference visas. This includes the adult children of U.S. citizens that are over 21 or married. Other priority candidates include the spouses or siblings of lawful permanent residents. Each of these individuals could have an opportunity to earn a green card after being sponsored by a family member.

There is a notable downside to the family preference option. While it offers a viable path to permanent residency for many family members, this path can be long. Often, applicants wait years before their visa is accepted. This is because there is a limit on the number of family preference visas that can be issued each year, regardless of how many applications. A family seeking this category of visa should work with a Montgomery attorney to avoid delays and complications.

Talk To a Montgomery Attorney About Family Visa Categories

If you plan to sponsor a family member for a visa, now is the time to understand your options. Selecting the appropriate visa program is the first step in helping your loved one come to this country. If you still have questions about Montgomery family visa categories, reach out to Solano Law Firm for a private consultation as soon as possible.