Family guide
Bringing family to the U.S.
Talk to a qualified immigration lawyer before you file
Family immigration rules are detailed, and a mistake can cause long delays or a denial. Whether a relative can come — and how — depends on things like your relationship, their age and marital status, their immigration history, and where they live now.
We do not decide whether you can file a petition or whether a relative qualifies. A licensed immigration attorney or a Department of Justice–accredited representative can review your family's situation. Only they — not a "notario," travel agent, or form-filling service — may give you legal advice.
Which relatives USCIS lists
Immediate relatives
USCIS says a visa is always available for this group, so they don't wait in a yearly line for a visa number. Processing still takes time.
Your husband or wife
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)Your unmarried children under 21
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)Your parents
You must be 21 or older.
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)
Other family members ("family preference")
These relatives wait in line for a limited number of visas each year. Depending on the category and country, the wait can be many years.
Your unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older
Category F1
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)Your married sons and daughters
Category F3
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)Your brothers and sisters
Category F4 — you must be 21 or older.
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)
A fiancé(e) living outside the U.S.
A separate process lets a citizen petition for a fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. to marry within a set time.
Your fiancé(e) and their children under 21
Official USCIS page(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)
The main steps
Get legal advice for your family's situation
A qualified professional can tell you which path fits, what documents you'll need, and whether anything in your relative's history could cause problems.
- Look for a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative using the official links below.
- Ask about fees upfront and get the agreement in writing.
- Bring proof of your citizenship and of your relationship (such as birth or marriage certificates) to the meeting.
File the family petition (Form I-130)
Form I-130 shows USCIS that the family relationship is real. For a fiancé(e), the form is I-129F instead. An approved petition does not by itself give your relative a Green Card — it gives them a place in line.
- Read the official form page and instructions before filling anything in.
- Check the current filing fee on USCIS's fee page. Pay fees only to the U.S. government.
- File online through USCIS or by mail, exactly as the instructions say, and keep copies of everything.
The next step depends on where your relative lives
Relatives already in the U.S. may be able to apply for a Green Card here (called "adjustment of status"). Relatives outside the U.S. usually go through the National Visa Center and an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (called "consular processing").
- If your relative is in the U.S., read about adjustment of status and Form I-485 — and ask your lawyer whether it applies.
- If your relative is abroad, read about consular processing and the State Department's family immigration steps.
Immigration history matters. How a relative entered the U.S., or past immigration violations, can affect whether they can apply from inside the country. Get legal advice before your relative files anything.Understand the financial promise you make
In most family cases, the citizen who files must also sign Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. It is a legally binding promise to support your relative financially, and it can last for years.
- Read the I-864 page carefully before you sign.
- Ask your lawyer about the income requirements and what happens if you can't meet them.
Understand the wait
Wait times depend on the relationship, your relative's country of birth, and how busy USCIS and the State Department are. For family-preference relatives, the monthly Visa Bulletin shows how far the line has moved.
- Check USCIS processing times for your form.
- For family-preference relatives, learn about priority dates and the Visa Bulletin.
Track your case and keep your information current
USCIS sends notices by mail and online. Missing a notice or a request for more evidence can delay or end a case.
- Check your case status on the official USCIS website using the receipt notice USCIS sends you.
- Tell USCIS if you move, following its official change-of-address steps.
- Keep copies of every form, notice, and payment receipt in one safe place.
Filed a petition before you became a citizen?
If you filed for a relative while you were a Green Card holder, becoming a citizen can change your relative's category and timeline.
- Ask your lawyer how your naturalization affects the petition you filed earlier.
- Follow USCIS or National Visa Center instructions for sharing proof of your citizenship.
Avoid immigration scams
Warning signs
- "Notarios" or consultants who aren't lawyers offering legal advice or promising faster results.
- Anyone who guarantees approval or says they have special connections at USCIS.
- Websites or callers asking you to pay USCIS fees to them, by gift card, payment app, or wire transfer.
- Advice to lie on a form or to create a fake relationship — this can permanently harm your relative's case and lead to criminal charges.