Family Immigration Lawyer – Child Green Card Petition Services
How a Family Immigration Lawyer Can Help with a Child Green Card Petition
As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), you have the right to sponsor your child for lawful permanent residency in the United States. The process begins with filing Form I-130, which establishes the family relationship. Working with a family immigration lawyer ensures a smooth process and helps avoid delays or errors that could impact the approval.
Eligibility and Process
The process for obtaining a child green card depends on the petitioner’s immigration status:
Petition by a U.S. Citizen
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can petition for your child under one of the following categories:
- Immediate Relative (IR): Unmarried children under 21 qualify for an immediate green card with no visa wait time.
- F1 Visa Category: Unmarried children over 21 must wait for visa availability.
- F3 Visa Category: Married children, regardless of age, must wait for a visa to become available.
Petition by a Green Card Holder
As a lawful permanent resident, you can petition for:
- F2A Category: Unmarried children under 21.
- F2B Category: Unmarried children over 21 (subject to visa wait times).
Consular Process for Children Living Outside the U.S.
For children outside the U.S., once Form I-130 is approved, the case is processed through the National Visa Center (NVC). A family immigration lawyer can help ensure all documentation is complete to avoid processing delays. If eligible, the child will attend a visa interview at the U.S. Consulate before receiving an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a legal resident.
Why Work with a Family Immigration Lawyer?
Navigating the immigration process can be complex. A family immigration lawyer provides:
✔️ Guidance on eligibility and petition requirements.
✔️ Assistance with completing Form I-130 and supporting documents.
✔️ Representation in case of delays, requests for evidence (RFEs), or visa denials.
✔️ Strategic advice for faster processing based on your specific case.
Unmarried children under 21 years of age are considered Immediate Relatives. This means that your unmarried son or daughter under 21 will receive an immigrant visa immediately. There are unlimited numbers of visas for children of U.S. citizens under the age of 21.
If your son or daughter is over the age of 21 and is unmarried, they fall under the first preference category called F1. The F1 category receives a limited number of visas each year. Depending on how many people apply each year, there may be a backlog or waiting time for the immigrant visa to become available after the I-130 is approved. You can also include the unmarried child of your son or daughter in the petition.
If your son or daughter is married, they fall under the third preference category called F3. The F3 category receives a limited number of visas each year. Depending on how many people apply each year and the country of birth of your son or daughter, there may be a backlog or waiting time for the immigrant visa to become available. Your son’s or daughter’s spouse and/or children may be included in the petition.
A child under 21 years of age of a Permanent Resident falls into the second family-sponsored category, F2A. Therefore, there is a limited number of visas for children in this category. Once the Form I-130 is approved, there may be a longer waiting time for the immigrant visa to become available. This depends on how many people apply each year and the child’s country of birth. Fortunately, you can include your son’s or daughter’s children in this petition too.
If your child is over the age of 21 and is unmarried, they fall under the second preference category, F2B. This category also receives a limited number of visas each year. There may be a backlog for the immigrant visa to become available. This also depends on the number of applicants under the F2B category and your child’s country of birth. You can include your son’s or daughter’s children in this petition as well.
Get Expert Legal Help Today!
At Immigration Universe, we specialize in child green card petitions and offer personalized guidance to ensure a successful outcome. Contact us today for a consultation with an experienced family immigration lawyer who can help you reunite with your child in the U.S.