Non Immigrant-Temporary Visas
Family-related non-immigrant visas contemplate that an individual will eventually become a United States permanent resident.
- K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
K-1 visas may be issued for fiancé(e)s of United States citizens who are entering for the sole purpose of getting married within 90 days of their admission.
- K-3 Spouse Visa
K-3 visas permit the spouses of United States citizens to lawfully enter and reside in the United States until their immigration process is complete.
Permanent Residence ("Green Card")
Permanent residence may be obtained through a family-based immigrant visa petition, allowing an individual to live and work in the United States for an indefinite period of time, subject to restrictions and requirements.
United States citizens and permanent residents may petition their qualifying foreign relatives to become United States permanent residents. Depending on the familial relationship between the petitioner and the qualifying foreign relative, family-based petitions fall into two categories, immediate-relatives and family preferences, each subject to certain restrictions and requirements. Note that except for Immediate Relative petitions, all family-based petitions are subject to an annual quota.
- Immediate Relatives: Spouses, children (defined as unmarried and under the age of 21), and parents of United States citizens.
- First-Preference: Unmarried sons and daughters of United States citizens.
- Second-preference: Spouses and children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident in the following order:
- Spouses and children of United States permanent residents
- Unmarried sons and daughters of United States permanent residents.
- Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of United States citizens.
- Fourth-preference: Brothers and sisters of adult United States citizens.