Can My Spouse Sponsor Me to the US. After We Get Married?Yes, your spouse can sponsor you for a green card after you get married if they are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). This process usually begins with your spouse (the petitioner) filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, [...]

 What Happens After I Marry a US Citizen?After marrying a US. citizen, the non-citizen spouse becomes eligible to apply for a green card (permanent resident status). This green card allows them to permanently live and work in the United States.The process begins with the U.S. citizen filing a petition (Form I-130) to establish the relationship, [...]

 Do We Need a Lawyer for the I-130?No, you are not required to hire a lawyer to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Many individuals complete and submit the form independently, especially when the case is straightforward, such as a U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse, parent, or child with no legal complications.However, seeking [...]

 Who Is Eligible for Family Based Green Card?Eligibility for a Family-Based Green Card depends on your relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies:1. Immediate Relatives of U.S. CitizensSpouse of a U.S. citizenUnmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizenParent of a U.S. citizen (if [...]

 How Many Family-Based Green Card Spillovers in 2025?  In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, it is projected that at least 25,000 unused family-based green cards from previous years, particularly FY 2023, will spill over into the employment-based green card categories. This spillover would increase the employment-based green card cap to approximately 165,000, which is 25,000 more than [...]

 What Is a Family-Based Green Card? A family-based green card is a type of U.S. permanent residency that allows individuals to live and work in the United States based on their family relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). It is one of the most common pathways to immigration in the [...]

 Has the Family-Based Green Card Stopped?No, family-based green cards have not been stopped. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to accept and process applications for eligible relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. This includes spouses, children, parents, and siblings. While there have been occasional delays or temporary pauses in processing due [...]

  How to Apply for a Family-Based Green Card Applying for a family-based green card involves a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsoring an eligible relative for permanent residency. The process starts with the sponsor filing Form I-130 with USCIS to prove the family relationship. Once approved, U.S. citizens' immediate relatives can proceed immediately, [...]

 How Many Family-Based Green Cards Are Issued Each Year?The number of family-based green cards issued annually in the United States is influenced by statutory caps, processing efficiencies, and demand. Here's an overview:Family Preference Categories (Capped at 226,000 Annually)Family preference categories are subject to an annual cap of 226,000 visas. These categories include:F1: Unmarried adult children [...]

 How Long Does It Take for a Family-Based Green Card?The time it takes to get a family-based green card varies based on the applicant’s relationship to the U.S. sponsor and their country of origin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—including spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents—typically have a faster process, taking around 12 to 18 [...]