Emigrating is never easy. You leave behind your home, friends, family, city…everything—to start over. And even though we know it was the right choice—and this new life brings great opportunities—there is still that feeling deep inside.
We should’ve taken more pictures.
The good news is that the US has a family reunification program that allows certain family members to live in the country legally. And both US citizens and green card holders can apply. However, citizens have more advantages when it comes to this process. We’ll get to that later.
As with any immigration process, family reunification has its own rules and requirements. So today, we will walk you through exactly what you need to know and do to apply.
What is family reunification and how it works in the US
First of all, not everyone is eligible for family reunification. There are requirements that both you (the sponsor) and your relative (the beneficiary) must meet for the application to be approved.
So before you get started, ensure you meet all the following requirements:
Requirements for the sponsor.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).
- Provide proof of your family relationship (such as a birth certificate or marriage license).
- Submit Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to USCIS.
- Prove that you can financially support your family member by filing Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support).
Requirements for the family members (beneficiaries):
- Be from a country that qualifies for a family reunification program.
- Have a sponsor (citizen or green card holder) who has received the official invitation to start the process.
- Not have an immigrant visa at the time of receiving the invitation.
- Have a valid passport for international travel.
- Complete a medical exam.
- Pass background and public safety checks.
Who is eligible for family reunification?
Both US citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can apply for family reunification. However, US citizens have more options than green card holders. For example, green card holders can only sponsor close family members, such as their spouse or unmarried children under 21.
On the other hand, US citizens can sponsor more relatives, such as their parents or siblings. Plus, the government usually prioritizes petitions from family members of US citizens.
Family members of US citizens
As a citizen, you can sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents of the United States. These family members are divided into two groups: immediate relatives and preference relatives.
Immediate Relatives
Immediate relatives have the highest priority and are not subject to any visa caps. This means there are always visas available for them, and they don’t have to wait in line or wait for a specific date to apply.
Who qualifies as an immediate relative?
- Your spouse
- Your unmarried children under 21
- Your parents (you must be at least 21 to sponsor them)
Remember, your minor children (under 18) can obtain US citizenship through you.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
Other close relatives may still qualify under the family preference system, but these categories have a limited number of visas available each year. Wait times vary depending on how many people have applied and when you filed your petition.
Here are the main family-sponsored preference categories:
- First preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older
- Third preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of any age
- Fourth preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of US citizens
Yes, you can sponsor your siblings for a green card. Just keep in mind that this category tends to have longer wait times than others. We explain how it works in our blog ”How Citizens Can Sponsor Siblings for a Green Card” .
Family members of green card holders
Green card holders can also sponsor family members, but the options are more limited and process takes longer. Relatives of permanent residents fall under the F2 category, which is divided into two groups:
- F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21
- F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters 21 and older
Unlike immediate relatives, F2 family members are subject to visa limits and availability depends on the number of petitions already in line.
How to sponsor a family member in the US
Although there are some differences between citizens and green card holders, the family reunification process is similar for both.
Step 1: File Form I-130
The first thing you need to do is complete Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for each family member you wish to sponsor. This form officially certifies your relationship with your relative. You can file it online or by mail, whichever works best for you.
Along with the form, you’ll need to include
- Documents proving your relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.)
- Proof that you can financially support your relative (Form I-864)
Note: There’s a filing fee for Form I-130 of $675
Step 2: Visa application process
Once you submit your petition, the USCIS will review it. If approved, the next step is the visa application. This part depends on where your relative lives.
- If they are already in the US, They can apply for a green card through a process called adjustment of status. In this case, they must fill out Form I-485 and wait for their interview.
- If they are outside the US, USCIS will refer the case to the National Visa Center (NVC). If a visa is available, the NVC will send it to the US consulate or embassy in your relative’s country.
Step 3: Medical exam and interview
Once the officers have reviewed all the paperwork, they’ll contact your relative to schedule an interview. If your family member is abroad, the appointment will be held at a US embassy or consulate in their country. But if they’re already in the United States, the interview may be held at a USCIS office.
Now, before showing up for the interview, your relative will need to take a medical exam. This exam confirms that they meet the health requirements to travel to and live in the United States. After the exam, they’ll receive a certificate with the results—and they’ll need to bring this certificate to the interview.
What documents do I need to submit with my family reunification petition?
As you already know, any immigration process involves a lot of paperwork and family reunification is no exception. You can’t forget a single document or make mistakes on the forms. Even a tiny error can delay the process or, worse, lead to a denial.
So make sure you double-check everything you need to submit for your family reunification application:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (only if your relative is in the US.)
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support – to show that you can financially support your family member.
- Proof of US citizenship or permanent residence (passport, naturalization certificate, or green card)
- Documents proving your family relationship to the beneficiary (birth certificates, marriage certificates, or adoption records)
Your relatives must also submit documents proving they qualify for family reunification.
- A valid passport
- Documents showing their relationship to the petitioner (marriage or birth certificate)
- Medical examination records and results
- Documents showing the need or justification for family reunification
Family-based immigration wait times
The waiting time for family-based immigration depends mainly on the US immigration visa system.
As mentioned above, the law prioritizes immediate relatives of US citizens – spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents. So, there is no waiting list for them.
However, other relatives – such as married children, children over 21, or siblings – fall under preference categories and must wait based on the date their petition was filed.
The same is true for relatives of permanent residents, who are also subject to annual visa limits.
| Category | Initial Wait (Visa Bulletin) | USCIS Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relatives of US Citizens | ||
| Spouses | No wait required | 10 months |
| Parents | No wait required | 15 months |
| Unmarried children under 21 | No wait required | 15 months |
| Family Preference Categories | ||
| F1: Adult Children of US Citizens | Currently processing Sept 2017 | 10 months |
| F2A: Spouses/Children of Green Card Holders | Currently processing October 2024 | 35 months |
| F2B: Adult Children of Green Card Holders | Currently processing Jan 2017 (longer for Mexico) | 35 months |
| F3: Married Children of US Citizens | Currently processing July 2012 (longer for Mexico) | 10 months |
| F4: Siblings of US Citizens | Processing dates vary by country: – Most countries: April 2008 – India: Oct 2006 – Mexico: April 2001 – Philippines: Jan 2008 | 10 months |
This table shows the estimated wait times for different family reunification categories, including visa availability and USCIS processing times.
Summing up…
Whether you’re a US citizen or a permanent resident, you can apply for family reunification. As a citizen, you have more advantages – not only can you sponsor immediate family members such as your spouse and children, but you can also petition for your parents and siblings. In addition, as a citizen, your close relatives are given priority and aren’t limited by the number of visas available, making the process faster for them.
Of course, you must meet all USCIS requirements to be approved. And also, submit all the necessary documents filled out correctly.
Although this process can be complex and time-consuming, the important thing is that you’ll soon have your family with you. Plus, you’ll be able to share with them the opportunities and benefits of living in the US And honestly, that’s worth the sacrifice.
That’s all for now! If you have any questions about the family reunification process, feel free to leave them in the comments.