Family Immigration Lawyer

Immediate relatives are close family members of a U.S. citizen. This group includes spouses, parents, and unmarried children under the age of 21. Visas for immediate relatives are not subject to annual numerical limits, which generally results in shorter wait times compared to other family-based categories. However, processing times may still vary based on government workload and case complexity.

Immediate Relative Visa Categories

• IR-1 – Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• IR-2 – Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
• IR-3 – Child adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen
• IR-4 – Child coming to the U.S. to be adopted by a U.S. citizen
• IR-5 – Parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years old or older

Family preference visas are for certain family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. These visas are subject to annual numerical limits, meaning wait times are often significantly longer and depend on visa availability, priority dates, and the applicant’s country of origin.

Family Preference Visa Categories

• F1 – Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
• F2 – Spouses and unmarried children of green card holders
• F3 – Married children of U.S. citizens
• F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen is 21 or older

The K-1 visa allows foreign fiancés of U.S. citizens to enter the United States for the purpose of marriage. The couple must marry within 90 days of entry, after which the foreign spouse may apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident. Our family immigration lawyer team can guide couples through this important process.