In the United States, applying for a Green Card through family sponsorship, with guidance from a family-based Immigration lawyer, is one of the most common ways to get a Green Card and reunite with loved ones.
This process allows a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to sponsor certain family members.
Generally, to obtain residency through this avenue, the sponsor must:
- File Form I-130 to prove the qualifying family relationship.
- Wait for USCIS approval and for visa availability based on the applicable category.
- Complete adjustment of status or consular processing, depending on where the beneficiary lives.
In the sections below, you will learn which relatives can be sponsored, the main benefits, key requirements, and estimated timelines to obtain a family-based Green Card in 2025.
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Our services as a Family-Based Immigration lawyer
At Lluis Law, we have a team of immigration lawyers in Los Angeles focused on family petitions.
We help you prepare, file, and track your case while ensuring full compliance with USCIS requirements.
In this section, you’ll see which relatives you can sponsor to obtain a Green Card through a family-based petition:
I’m a U.S. citizen and want to petition my spouse
If you are a U.S. citizen seeking to sponsor your spouse, we handle the entire process.
Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for their spouse.
How long does a U.S. citizen’s petition for a parent take?
We facilitate family reunification by filing petitions for the parents of U.S. citizens.
Requirements to petition a sibling in the United States
U.S. citizens over 21 can request a Green Card for a sibling, and certain immediate family members may be included in the process.
How long does it take to sponsor an adult child?
The procedure follows a similar path to other family petitions. At Lluis Law, we accompany you every step of the way.
Practical example: A Salvadoran mother gets permanent residence after her U.S. citizen daughter’s Form I-130 is approved. A Lluis Law a family-based immigration lawyer assisted at each stage, including the financial sponsorship and interview.
What is family-based immigration?
Family-based immigration is the legal process that allows a U.S. citizen or resident to sponsor certain relatives to obtain a Green Card.
Its core principle is family reunification, one of the pillars of the U.S. immigration system.
Although it may seem straightforward, strict rules and preference categories govern how fast the case moves.
Quick example: A citizen can sponsor a spouse, parents, or unmarried children under 21. A permanent resident can only sponsor a spouse and unmarried children.
Which relatives can a lawful permanent resident sponsor?
Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can only sponsor:
- Their spouse.
- Their unmarried children, regardless of age (under or over 21).
A resident cannot sponsor parents, siblings, or married children; those rights belong to U.S. citizens.
Basic comparison table
| Type of sponsor | Eligible relatives | Estimated time* |
| U.S. citizen | Spouse, unmarried and married children, parents, siblings | Immediate (spouses/parents) to decades (siblings) |
| Permanent resident | Spouse, unmarried children (under and over 21) | About 2–8 years based on the Visa Bulletin |
*Approximate times; they vary monthly based on visa availability.
Quick example: A permanent resident in California sponsors a spouse and a 19-year-old child (F2A). If a visa is available, they can adjust status or complete consular processing and obtain a Green Card.
Additional note: In limited situations, humanitarian alternatives exist, such as Family Unity Parole in Place for certain military members’ or veterans’ relatives without lawful status.
Benefits of getting a Green Card through a family petition
Obtaining permanent residence through family sponsorship provides:
- The right to live and work permanently in the United States.
- Eligibility to apply for citizenship after 5 years as a resident.
- The ability to sponsor certain relatives in the future.
- Protection under federal and state laws.
- Access to certain educational and social programs.
- Work flexibility without losing immigration status.
Practical example: A mother who obtains a Green Card sponsored by her U.S. citizen daughter secures lawful status and can later sponsor her minor children abroad.
Note: If you don’t yet have status and must travel domestically, review “Can an illegal immigrant fly within the U.S.?” to understand risks and limitations before obtaining residency.
Requirements to apply for a family-based Green Card
General requirements:
- Be an eligible relative of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Have no serious criminal history or other grounds of inadmissibility.
- Show adequate financial support for life in the U.S.
The key piece is the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), by which the sponsor commits to support the immigrant until naturalization or completion of 40 qualifying quarters of work.
Financial sponsorship checklist (I-864)
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Reside in the U.S. or prove domicile in the country.
- Meet ≥ 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (100% if active-duty military sponsoring spouse/children).
- Document income (tax returns, pay stubs, or bank statements).
- If income is insufficient, add a joint sponsor.
Check the updated HHS Poverty Guidelines to verify the minimums required.
Practical example: A U.S. citizen with modest income sponsors a spouse. They do not reach 125%, so they add a joint sponsor and satisfy the I-864.
Minimum income table to sponsor a family member in 2025 (Form I-864)
Note: Figures are updated annually by HHS. Verify your threshold by household size and state.
48 contiguous states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and CNMI
| Household size | 100% HHS (active-duty military: spouse/children) | 125% HHS (all other sponsors) |
| 2 | $20,440 | $25,550 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $32,275 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $39,000 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $45,725 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $52,450 |
| 7 | $47,960 | $59,175 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $65,900 |
| Each additional person | $5,380 | $6,725 |
Hawaii
| Household size | 100% HHS | 125% HHS |
| 2 | $23,500 | $29,375 |
| 3 | $29,690 | $37,113 |
| 4 | $35,880 | $44,850 |
| 5 | $42,070 | $52,588 |
| 6 | $48,260 | $60,325 |
| 7 | $54,450 | $68,063 |
| 8 | $60,640 | $75,800 |
| Each additional person | $6,190 | $7,738 |
Alaska
| Household size | 100% HHS | 125% HHS |
| 2 | $25,540 | $31,925 |
| 3 | $32,270 | $40,338 |
| 4 | $39,000 | $48,750 |
| 5 | $45,730 | $57,163 |
| 6 | $52,460 | $65,575 |
| 7 | $59,190 | $73,988 |
| 8 | $65,920 | $82,400 |
| Each additional person | $6,730 | $8,413 |
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Poverty Guidelines 2025
Family preference categories
Not all relatives qualify on the same timeline for a Green Card. The system establishes preference categories that determine eligibility and processing times.
Updated family categories table
| Category | Who qualifies? | Estimated wait time* |
| F1 | Unmarried sons/daughters >21 of citizens | 7–20 years depending on country |
| F2A | Spouses and children <21 of residents | 2–4 years (sometimes current) |
| F2B | Unmarried sons/daughters >21 of residents | 6–10 years |
| F3 | Married sons/daughters of citizens | 10–20 years |
| F4 | Siblings of citizens (≥21) | 15–25 years |
*Approximate; varies monthly with the Visa Bulletin.
Quick example: A citizen sponsoring a sibling in Mexico (F4) may face a wait of over 20 years, showing the system’s complexity.
To understand the review order, see “What does the priority date mean for immigration?”.
Documents needed for a family-based Green Card
Common documentation (your family-based immigration lawyer will organize these):
- Form I-130: filed by the sponsor.
- Proof of relationship: birth certificates, marriage or adoption records.
- Proof of sponsor’s status: Green Card, U.S. passport, or Certificate of Citizenship.
- Form I-485 (adjustment) or DS-260 (consular).
- Passport-style photos.
- Form I-864: Affidavit of Support.
- Financial evidence: tax returns, pay stubs, or bank statements.
- Form I-693: medical exam.
- Police or court records (if applicable).
- Additional forms (I-601, I-212, or I-485 Supplement A, as applicable).
Steps to apply for a family-based Green Card
The path differs if the relative is inside or outside the U.S., but in general:
1. Verify eligibility
Confirm whether the relative is an immediate relative or falls under a preference category.
2. File the petition
The sponsor files Form I-130 with USCIS along with evidence of the relationship.
For a step-by-step guide, see how to fill out Form I-130.
3. Wait for approval and visa availability
USCIS reviews the petition. In preference categories, wait until the priority date is current in the Visa Bulletin.
4. Adjustment of status or consular processing
- If in the U.S.: file I-485 (adjustment).
- If abroad: complete DS-260 (consular).
5. Submit evidence and additional documents
This includes I-693 (medical exam), I-864 (financial support) and official certificates.
6. Immigration interview
USCIS or the consulate verifies the relationship and eligibility. You can prepare with sample family-based interview questions.
For the appointment, review marriage-based Green Card interview questions.
7. Final decision
If approved, the beneficiary receives lawful permanent residence.
Brief example (realistic): A permanent resident files I-130 for a spouse; after a visa becomes available, she completes consular processing and, upon entry to the U.S., receives the Green Card.
After the initial approval, you’ll want to read “Form I-130 Approved: What’s Next?”.
Current costs and fees
Total cost varies by case. Common fees include:
- Form I-130: $675 by mail / $625 online.
- Form I-485 (adjustment of status): $1,440 adults (includes biometrics) and $950 for minors under 14.
- Form DS-260 (consular): $325 per person.
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support): no USCIS fee; if processed via NVC, $120 review fee.
- Medical exam (I-693): approx. $200–$500.
Update note (effective 2025): USCIS announced fee increases under H.R. 1, applicable to forms postmarked on or after July 22, 2025. Filings with incorrect fees have been rejected since August 21, 2025.
How long does a family-based Green Card take?
Timing mainly depends on:
- Whether the sponsor is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- The family category (immediate relative or preference).
Estimated processing times
- Immediate relatives of citizens (spouse, minor children, parents): 12–18 months on average.
- F2A category (spouses and minor children of residents): 24–48 months.
- Other categories (F1, F2B, F3, F4): 6–25 years, depending on country and the Visa Bulletin.
See official USCIS processing times for your service center.
Quick example: A California citizen petitions a spouse (immediate relative): ~14 months. The same person petitioning a sibling in Mexico (F4): more than two decades.
What are the disadvantages and challenges of family-based immigration?
Common hurdles:
- Long wait times: annual limits create backlogs in preference categories.
- Monthly variation: the Visa Bulletin can advance or retrogress.
- Accrued costs: filing fees, medical exams, translations, legalizations, and legal fees.
- Tough interviews: especially in marriage cases; inconsistencies can lead to denials.
- Inadmissibility risks: criminal issues, fraud, health grounds, or unlawful presence.
- Life changes: divorce or civil status changes can affect the petition.
Learn more about what happens if you divorce before the Green Card interview and the consequences of unlawful presence in the U.S..
Practical example: A U.S. citizen son petitions his mother in Guatemala. Although it’s faster than other categories, the interview was rescheduled twice due to administrative delays.
What can I do if my Green Card petition is denied?
Legal options include:
- Appeal: to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). See more in “Immigration appeal process”.
- Motion to reopen or reconsider: based on new evidence or legal error.
- Refiling: if your situation has changed (e.g., a subsequent bona fide marriage).
- Waiver of inadmissibility: for certain grounds (fraud, unlawful presence, or some crimes). See “Waiver of inadmissibility”.
Quick example: A father was denied for insufficient income. He added a joint sponsor, refiled, and obtained approval.
FAQs about family-based Green Cards
Quick answers to common questions about timelines, requirements, and benefits.
Is there a limit on how many relatives I can sponsor?
No. But there is an annual limit on visas for preference categories, which creates waiting lists.
What if my application is denied?
You may appeal, move to reopen/reconsider, or refile with relevant changes. Legal counsel is recommended.
Are there other ways my relatives can get a Green Card?
Yes. Beyond family petitions, there are visas like K-1 (fiancé), CR1 (spouse), and other reunification options.
How does permanent residence affect my children’s education?
Lawful permanent residents have full access to public education and, in many cases, to state grants.
Why should I hire a family-based immigration lawyer?
Because form errors or missing evidence are common causes of denial. A family-based immigration lawyer ensures compliance and protects your rights.
Get your family-based Green Card with legal support
Family petitions are a reliable path to reunification, but they are also demanding.
At Lluis Law, our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles provide end-to-end support to prepare forms, gather strong evidence, and avoid errors that delay your case.
Contact us today and take the first step toward your family-based Green Card with a family-based immigration lawyer and the legal guidance your family deserves.
LATINOS WITH OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE
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