Overview
Family reunification is a core foundation of U.S. immigration policy. Family-Based Green Cards enable U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) to sponsor immediate family members and close relatives for permanent residence in the U.S. Mobility Immigration guides families through relative petitions, adjustment of status, and consular immigrant processing.
Requirements
Form I-130 establishes the relationship
The process begins with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) establishing the qualifying familial relationship.
Immediate Relatives
Immediate Relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents — enjoy unlimited visa availability and do not face Visa Bulletin priority date waitlists.
Family Preference categories
Adult children, married children, siblings of U.S. citizens, and spouses or children of LPRs are subject to annual statutory limits and must wait for priority dates to become current.
Affidavit of Support
All family sponsors must satisfy minimum income thresholds by filing Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) promising financial backing for the relative.
Key benefits
- Immediate Relatives can file for green cards immediately without waiting for annual priority date quotas.
- Relative applicants inside the U.S. can apply for concurrent work authorization and advance travel parole.
- Applicants residing abroad receive green cards upon arrival via consular immigrant visa processing.
- Establishes a permanent foundation leading to naturalization and U.S. citizenship eligibility.