The Department of State just updated family sponsored preference categories for extended family members. The idea is that immediate family members such as parents, spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens can immigrate to the U.S. in a matter of months.
However, the petitions for all other family members are intentionally slowed down to help prevent what is called “chain migration.” Chain migration is where a foreigner immigrates to the U.S. and then reaches back to the home country to immigrate the whole extended family. Yes, it is possible to bring family to the U.S., but immigration agencies will delay the filings for anyone not an immediate family member.
The chart below indicated the length of delay according to the relationship of the family member to the U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident green card holder.
The length of delay also varies, depending on the foreign country. Here is the list:
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:
Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent
A.
(F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:
B.
(F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:
Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:
Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:
NOTE: Numbers are available only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.
Family-
Sponsored
| All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
| CHINA-
mainland born
| INDIA
| MEXICO
| PHILIPPINES
|
F1
| 01SEP04
| 01SEP04
| 01SEP04
| 08APR93
| 01MAR97
|
F2A
| 22MAR09
| 22MAR09
| 22MAR09
| 08APR93
| 22MAR09
|
F3
| 08OCT01
| 08OCT01
| 08OCT01
| 15DEC92
| 08JUL92
|
F4
| 15JUL00
| 15JUL00
| 15JUL00
| 01MAY96
| 08SEP88
|
Spouses and children of U.S. permanent resident green card holders highlighted in yellow are looking good.
Note also that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. For example, if your foreign brother is married, then the brother and his wife can both immigrate together.
If you have a foreign family member for whom you would like to petition, please
Contact Us for a fee quote.
Allan Lolly is the managing attorney for Allan S. Lolly & Associates APC, a law firm that has handled more than 10,000 family based cases. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley (1984) and Santa Clara University, School of Law (1989), Mr. Lolly is a member and contributing lecturer with AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He is licensed with the California State Bar and is a registered to appear before the U.S. Federal Courts. Allan and his wife reside in New York City. For more information please see
1-800-USA-Immigration.com.
