What are the types of Family Immigrant Visas offered in the US? Based on…
What are the types of Family Immigrant Visas offered in the US?
Based on specific family relationships, U.S. immigration law allows aliens who are family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card). Family Immigrant Visas are divided into categories by ‘’preference’’, such as:
F1,
F2A,
F2B,
F3 and
F4.
F1 includes unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens; F2A includes spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents; F2B, unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of LPR; F3, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and F4, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
Benefits of a Green Card for family members!
It gives you the opportunity to sponsor your immediate family members and give them the right to stay with you in the United States if you hold a US Green Card.
Remember, “Immediate family members” are identified as unmarried children under 21 years of age, parents, and spouses by US Immigration.
So if you want to sponsor an extended family member then, that is also possible!
What Is a Family Green Card?
An immigrant visa that is issued based on a qualifying family relationship that exists between a foreign national applicant and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident is a family-based green card.
Among other green card categories in the United States, it is one of the most popular ways of obtaining permanent residency.
This type of Green Card has two categories:
immediate relatives of United States citizens and family preference.
In the past years just five countries accounted for more than two thirds of all refugees:
Syria,
Venezuela,
Afghanistan,
South Sudan and
Myanmar.
Syria has been the country of origin for most refugees, there were more than 6million Syrian refugees hosted by 126 countries worldwide during these past years.
Can a green card holder sponsor a friend?
Unfortunately, only family members can sign the petition for the immigrant Visa or Green Card.
What you can do, though is file an I-864 (Affidavit of Support) form, which is a way to fund your friend’s immigration petition.
Applying for the Green Card in 5 steps!
Each type of Green Card can differ from one another in terms of the application process, but it usually goes like this:
1. A petitioner must file an immigrant petition for you (in some cases, you can file one for yourself);
2. You file a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State, only after USCIS approves your immigrant petition;
3. You provide your fingerprints, photos and signature at the biometrics appointment;
4. You collect all the required documents and prepare for the interview and
5. You attend the interview!
How long would it take to get the 2022 Green Card?
The whole process takes a minimum of about three to five months.
The Green Card process starts when the papers are ready to be processed, after that they are forwarded to the embassy or consulate involved. You will be asked to file and pay the necessary fees for an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and more.
What is the EB-4 Visa?
The EB-4 is a type of Green Card for special immigrants which includes Special Immigrant Juveniles, Religious Workers, Afghan and Iraqi Translators, Armed Forces Members and much more!
