Family Petitions: Reunite Your Family in the U.S.
Immigration News
LatestU.S. Department of StateNov 1, 2026
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: read the official monthly update
The Department of State has published its November 2026 Visa Bulletin, with family and employment preference charts. Open the official bulletin for the dates and USCIS filing-chart link. A date on a chart alone does not decide whether you may file.
USCISAdjustment of Status (Green Card): Rules and Filing Charts Keep ChangingJul 1, 2026USCISHumanitarian Protections Remain Available: U-Visa, T-Visa, and VAWAJul 1, 2026USCISCuban Parole Pathways: Confirm the Current Status Before You Rely on ThemJul 1, 2026EOIRImmigration Court Practices Vary by Location: Local Representation MattersJul 1, 2026
Official U.S. sources (USCIS, EOIR, Federal Register). Not legal advice. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
Family reunification is one of the pillars of the United States immigration system. If you are a citizen or permanent resident, you can petition for certain family members to obtain permanent residence through Form I-130. At J. Lee & Associates Law Group, we handle family petitions for the Hispanic community in Gwinnett County and the entire Atlanta metropolitan area.
Family petition categories are divided into immediate relatives (no visa limit under INA § 201(b)) and preference categories (F1 through F4 under INA § 203(a), with annual limits). Immediate relatives of citizens include spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21. Preference categories include unmarried adult children of citizens (F1), spouses and children of permanent residents (F2A/F2B), married children of citizens (F3), and siblings of citizens (F4).
Wait times vary enormously depending on the category and country of origin. For immediate relatives, the process can be completed in 12 to 24 months. For the F4 category (siblings) of Mexican citizens, the wait can exceed 20 years. We monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly and keep you informed about the progress of your specific case.
Steps You Should Take
1
Family Evaluation Consultation
Call (770) 609-9396. We determine your petition category, estimated wait times based on the current Visa Bulletin, and whether any obstacles exist such as bars of inadmissibility.
2
I-130 Preparation
We gather all evidence of the family relationship: birth certificates, marriage certificates, evidence of a genuine relationship, and documents of your status as the petitioner.
3
Financial Sponsorship (I-864)
We prepare the affidavit of support with your tax returns, proof of employment, and if necessary, identify a qualified joint sponsor.
4
Follow-Through to Reunification
We monitor the Visa Bulletin, coordinate the consular process or adjustment of status, and represent you at interviews until your family member obtains permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an immediate relative and a preference category?
Immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and unmarried minor children of citizens) have no visa limit and process more quickly. Preference categories (F1-F4) have annual limits that create waiting lists. Permanent residents can only petition for spouses and children, not for parents or siblings.
Can a permanent resident petition for their parents?
No. Only citizens can petition for their parents. If you are a permanent resident and want to bring your parents, the fastest path is to first obtain citizenship (naturalization) and then file the petition as an immediate relative with no visa limit.
What is the Affidavit of Support (I-864)?
It is a legally enforceable contract in which the petitioner commits to supporting the beneficiary at 125% of the federal poverty level. It is a mandatory requirement under INA § 213A. If your income does not meet the threshold, you can use a joint sponsor who meets the financial requirement.
Can I petition for my married child?
Only if you are a U.S. citizen, under the F3 category. Permanent residents can only petition for unmarried children. If your child marries while a pending F2B petition (unmarried child of resident) is active, the petition is automatically invalidated.
Can my family member visit while waiting for the visa?
They can apply for a visitor visa (B-2), but they must demonstrate intent to return to their country. Having a pending I-130 does not prevent a visitor visa but may generate additional scrutiny. They must not stay beyond the authorized period.
📋 Documents for Family Petitions
Sponsor (Petitioner)
- □U.S. passport or green card
- □Tax returns (3 years)
- □Employment letter
- □Recent pay stubs
- □Form I-864
Beneficiary
- □Passport (all pages)
- □Birth certificate with translation
- □2 passport photos
- □Medical exam I-693 (if adjustment of status)
Relationship
- □Marriage certificate (if spouse)
- □Birth certificate showing relationship
- □Evidence of genuine relationship
- □Prior divorce decrees
Applicable Laws
INA § 201(b) / 8 USC § 1151(b)Immediate relatives of citizens: no annual visa limit.
INA § 203(a) / 8 USC § 1153(a)Family preference categories F1-F4 with annual limits.
INA § 213A / 8 USC § 1183aAffidavit of support: 125% of the federal poverty level requirement.
INA § 212(a)(9)(B)Bars of inadmissibility for unlawful presence affecting beneficiaries in consular processing.
Related Services
Other Immigration Law Services
Green cards and status
Immigration court and deportation defense
Humanitarian protection and detention
Young immigrants
Citizenship
Work and business visas
Waivers and permission to return
Family immigration
Travel, consulates and extensions
More services
Case Evaluation
Talk to a family petitions attorney today.
Schedule Consultation(770) 609-93961250 Tech Dr, Suite 240
Norcross, GA 30093
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Document Checklist
See the documents you need for your family petitions case. Complete list organized by category.
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