Who Can Sponsor a Family Member?
Two groups of people can petition for family members to receive a US green card:
- US citizens — can sponsor spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents (if you're 21+), adult children (married or unmarried), and siblings
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs / green card holders) — can sponsor spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried adult children (21+)
The petitioner is called the sponsor or petitioner; the family member being sponsored is called the beneficiary. The sponsor must live in or plan to domicile in the United States.
Family Preference Categories & Wait Times
Not all family relationships are equal under immigration law. Immediate relatives of US citizens have no annual cap and no visa bulletin wait. All other family relationships fall into numbered preference categories with annual limits — meaning a wait is required.
| Category | Relationship | Sponsor Must Be | Annual Cap? | Typical Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relative | Spouse, child under 21, parent (if sponsor 21+) | US Citizen | None | 12–18 months total |
| F1 | Unmarried adult children (21+) | US Citizen | Yes | 7–10+ years |
| F2A | Spouse & children under 21 of LPR | LPR | Yes | 2–4 years |
| F2B | Unmarried adult children (21+) of LPR | LPR | Yes | 6–10+ years |
| F3 | Married children of US citizens | US Citizen | Yes | 10–15+ years |
| F4 | Siblings of adult US citizens | US Citizen (age 21+) | Yes | 12–23+ years |
Wait times are estimates and vary by country of birth. Mexico and Philippines often have much longer waits for F1, F3, F4 than other countries.
Process Overview
Step 1 — File Form I-130
The process begins when the US sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS. This petition does two things: (1) establishes that a qualifying family relationship exists, and (2) creates a visa petition record with the immigrant's priority date.
What to include
- Form I-130 (and I-130A if sponsoring a spouse)
- Evidence of the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
- Proof of the petitioner's US citizenship or LPR status
- Passport-style photos of the beneficiary
- Filing fee: $625 online / $675 paper
Processing time
USCIS currently takes 6–12 months to adjudicate I-130 petitions, though times vary significantly by service center and relationship type. Immediate relative petitions (spouse, child, parent) generally move faster than preference category petitions.
What happens after approval
For immediate relatives: USCIS notifies both the petitioner and the NVC. The case moves directly to the next step.
For preference categories: The approved I-130 is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), where it waits until a visa number becomes available based on the Visa Bulletin. This can take years or decades for some categories and countries.
Step 2 — Wait for a Visa Number (Preference Categories Only)
If you are in a preference category (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, or F4), you must wait until a visa number is available for your category and the beneficiary's country of birth. This is tracked by the monthly Visa Bulletin.
How to monitor your place in line:
- Check the Visa Bulletin each month (published around the 8th–12th) at travel.state.gov
- Compare the cutoff date for your category and country to your priority date (the date on your I-130 receipt notice)
- When the cutoff date is later than your priority date, you are "current" and can proceed
Immediate relatives skip this step entirely — there is no annual cap and no wait for the Visa Bulletin.
Step 3A — Inside the US: Adjustment of Status (I-485)
If the beneficiary is already inside the United States and entered legally, they can apply to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident without leaving the country. This is done by filing Form I-485 with USCIS.
Who qualifies for adjustment of status?
- The beneficiary was inspected and admitted or paroled into the US
- A visa number is currently available (immediate relatives: always; preference: when priority date is current)
- The beneficiary is not inadmissible for any grounds (criminal history, health grounds, prior immigration violations, etc.)
What to file
You can file these forms together at the same time (concurrently) to save money and get earlier work/travel authorization:
| Form | Purpose | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence (green card) | $1,440 |
| I-765 | Employment Authorization Document (work permit) — concurrent rate | $260 (included) |
| I-131 | Advance Parole (travel document) — concurrent rate | $630 (included) |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support (financial sponsor declaration) | Free |
| I-693 | Medical examination (from USCIS-designated civil surgeon) | $200–$500 (doctor fee) |
After filing
- You'll receive a receipt notice (I-797C) within a few weeks
- A biometrics (fingerprints) appointment is scheduled — no separate fee
- Your EAD and advance parole are typically issued within 3–5 months
- An interview may be scheduled at your local USCIS field office (increasingly common for marriage-based cases)
- If approved, you receive a "Welcome Notice" and your green card is mailed within 2–3 weeks
Total I-485 processing time: 12–24 months on average, but it can vary widely by field office and case complexity.
Do not travel internationally without advance parole
If you have a pending I-485 and travel internationally without an approved advance parole (Form I-131), your I-485 will be considered abandoned. Wait for your advance parole card before any international travel — unless you hold a valid H-1B or L-1 visa that allows reentry.
Step 3B — Outside the US: Consular Processing
If the beneficiary is outside the United States (or is inside but not eligible for adjustment), the case goes through consular processing at a US embassy or consulate in their home country.
NVC Stage
After the I-130 is approved and a visa number becomes available, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). NVC will:
- Collect the immigrant visa application fee (DS-260) — currently $325
- Request civil documents (birth certificate, police clearances, marriage certificate if applicable)
- Review documents for completeness
- Schedule the immigrant visa interview at the nearest US embassy or consulate
Interview & Medical Exam
- The beneficiary must complete a medical examination with an embassy-approved physician before the interview
- At the interview, a consular officer reviews the case and makes an admissibility determination
- If approved, the beneficiary receives an immigrant visa packet in their passport
Entry & Green Card
- The beneficiary enters the US with the immigrant visa — upon entry, they become a lawful permanent resident
- After paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235), the green card is mailed to the US address on file within 2–3 weeks
Timeline for consular processing
After NVC receives the case: typically 6–18 months to interview, depending on the embassy and document processing speed. Total from I-130 filing to green card: 12–24 months for immediate relatives; longer for preference categories due to the visa number wait.
Total Government Fees
Attorney fees: $1,500–$5,000+ are common for marriage-based cases. Always get a written fee agreement before engaging an attorney.
Use our Green Card Cost Calculator for your specific situation →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my I-485 is pending?
Yes — once you have an approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD / Form I-765). When you file I-485, you can file I-765 concurrently at a reduced fee of $260 (included in the $1,440 I-485 fee). The EAD is typically issued within 3–5 months. You can work for any employer while your I-485 is pending, without sponsorship restrictions.
What happens if we divorce while the I-485 is pending?
If the couple divorces before the I-485 is approved, the marriage-based I-485 will generally be denied. The underlying I-130 petition may also be revoked. If the beneficiary can independently qualify for another immigration status, they may have options, but a divorce during the pending period is a significant complication. Consult an immigration attorney immediately if this occurs.
What is a conditional green card?
If the couple has been married for less than 2 years at the time the green card is approved, the beneficiary receives a conditional green card valid for only 2 years (instead of the standard 10 years). Within the 90-day window before this card expires, the couple must jointly file Form I-751 to remove the conditions and receive a permanent 10-year green card. The I-751 costs $700 online / $750 paper. Processing takes 24–36 months, but a receipt notice extends status during that time.
Can I sponsor my parents for a green card?
Yes — if you are a US citizen aged 21 or older, you can sponsor your parents (IR-5 category). Parents of US citizens are immediate relatives — there is no annual cap and no Visa Bulletin wait. The total process typically takes 12–18 months. Note: Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) cannot sponsor their parents — only US citizens can do this.