How to Sponsor a Family Member for Immigration

Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor relatives for green cards.

Who can sponsor:

U.S. citizens can sponsor:

Spouse

Unmarried children under 21 (immediate relative — no wait)

Parents (if the citizen is 21+) (immediate relative — no wait)

Unmarried adult children (21+)

Married adult children

Siblings

Permanent residents can sponsor:

Spouse

Unmarried children (under and over 21)

The process:

File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS to establish the family relationship.

Wait for a visa number. Immediate relatives have no wait. Preference categories face backlogs.

File for adjustment of status (I-485, if in the U.S.) or consular processing (DS-260, if abroad).

Attend interview.

Receive green card.

Wait times by category (approximate):

Immediate relatives (spouse, parents, minor children of citizens): Current (no wait)

F1 (unmarried adult children of citizens): 7-10+ years

F2A (spouse/minor children of LPRs): 2-5 years

F2B (unmarried adult children of LPRs): 7-12+ years

F3 (married adult children of citizens): 12-15+ years

F4 (siblings of adult citizens): 15-23+ years

Affidavit of Support. The sponsor must file Form I-864, demonstrating income at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

This is legal information, not legal advice.