Immigrant Visas 

Family Based Immigration Visa

The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is for the U.S. citizen (petitioner) to file Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 (pdf), with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Separate petitions are not required for your relative’s husband or wife or unmarried children under 21 years of age; these persons will be able to apply for an immigrant visa along with your relative.

My child is about to turn 21; can he/she still immigrate with me?

U.S. Citizens resident in Germany may file the petition with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Frankfurt;

U.S. Citizens resident in the United States should contact their local USCIS office for further information.

U.S. Citizens resident in other countries should contact their local U.S. Embassy for further information.

The issuance of visas in the family based category is subject to an annual numerical limitation. Therefore each visa type in this category has a waiting time from the date the petition is filed, the “priority date” (once the petition has been accepted as the "Notice of Action"), until the visa actually can be processed. Check the Visa Bulletin for the latest priority dates.

>> What is the next step once the petition is approved?