Immigrating into the United States is a dream for many people, and some people who are already in the U.S. may dream of the day that they can have their loved ones join them here. There are very specific requirements for someone in the U.S. to bring a family member here.
There is one set of rules for U.S. citizens and another set for lawful permanent residents. Learning who each group can bring into this country is critical. One of the primary differences is that certain categories of immigrants have specific limits on how many visas can be issued for a fiscal year.
U.S. citizen sponsors
There isn’t a limit to how many immediate relatives can come into the U.S. if they’re being sponsored by a citizen. People in this category include spouses, parents and children who are unmarried and under 21 years old.
There are limits to how many distant relatives of U.S. citizens can receive visas each year. These individuals include siblings, married children and unmarried children who are older than 21 years old.
Lawful permanent resident sponsors
Annual limits, based on the fiscal year, apply to immigrants being sponsored by a green card holder. Lawful permanent residents can’t sponsor as many categories as citizens. They can only sponsor spouses and unmarried children, including those who are older than 21 years old.
Immigration policies and procedures in this country can change often, so it’s critical that anyone who’s in the midst of this process understands exactly what they need to do. Working with someone familiar with these matters is critical since it can be hard to keep up with current requirements.