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I-130, I-485

Family green cards

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence. The path depends on the relationship, on the sponsor's status and on where the relative lives today. We assess which category applies, prepare a complete filing and stay with the family through the interview.

Lead attorney

Temitayo M. Tijani

Last reviewed September 2026

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New to this?

A green card is the common name for lawful permanent residence, the status that lets a person live and work in the United States without a time limit. Family sponsorship is the most common route to one.

See the glossary

Who this is for

  • U.S. citizens married to a foreign national, in the United States or abroad
  • U.S. citizens aged 21 or older sponsoring a parent
  • Green card holders sponsoring a spouse or unmarried child
  • Families where the relative entered on a visa and now wishes to stay
  • Couples who received a conditional, two-year green card and need to remove the conditions

How we help

Eligibility review
We confirm the category, check for issues such as past overstays or travel history, and explain the likely route before any form is filed.
Evidence of the relationship
We assemble civil documents and, for marriages, the joint records that show a genuine relationship.
Financial sponsorship
We prepare the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and add a joint sponsor when the household income falls short.
Interview preparation
We rehearse the questions officers tend to ask and attend the interview where appropriate.

Forms involved

  • I-130Petition for Alien Relative
  • I-485Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
  • I-864Affidavit of Support
  • I-765Application for Employment Authorization
  • I-131Application for Travel Documents
  • I-751Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

Government filing fees are listed on our filing fees page.

Timeline

For spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens, many cases filed inside the United States take roughly 10 to 18 months from filing to decision, based on our observations of recent processing. Other family categories wait for a visa number under the monthly Visa Bulletin, which can add years. Current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing times are published on the official USCIS website.

Document checklist

A starting list. We send a checklist for your case after the consultation.

  • Sponsor's proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
  • Birth certificates and, for spouses, the marriage certificate
  • Proof that any prior marriages ended (divorce decrees, death certificates)
  • Passport, visa and I-94 arrival record of the relative
  • Recent federal tax returns or transcripts of the sponsor
  • Joint evidence of the marriage: lease or deed, bank accounts, insurance, photographs
  • Two passport-style photographs of each applicant
“Good communication and solid preparation. The process took longer than I hoped, which was down to processing times, and the firm kept me updated the whole way.”
James K., Rockville, MDRemoval of conditions
“I was nervous about the interview for months. The attorney walked us through every question the officer was likely to ask, and the green card arrived eleven months after we filed. I always knew where things stood.”
Adaeze O., Silver Spring, MDSpouse green card

These reviews are illustrative examples while client reviews are being collected.

Questions clients ask

Who counts as an immediate relative?
Under U.S. immigration law, immediate relatives are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21. Immediate relatives are not subject to the annual limits that create waiting lines in other family categories.
Can my spouse apply for a green card without leaving the United States?
In many cases, yes. A spouse of a U.S. citizen who entered the country lawfully (for example, with a visa and an inspection at the border) can usually file for adjustment of status from inside the United States, even after the visa has expired. The facts of the entry matter, so we review them first.
What is the Affidavit of Support?
Form I-864 is a contract in which the sponsor promises financial support. The sponsor's household income generally needs to reach at least 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size. If it does not, a joint sponsor can add their income.
Can my relative work while the case is pending?
An applicant who files for adjustment of status can also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a work permit card. Work begins only once the card is approved.
Is the green card permanent from the start?
If the marriage is less than two years old when the green card is approved, the spouse receives a conditional green card valid for two years. The couple then files Form I-751 during the 90 days before it expires to receive a 10-year card.
What happens at the interview?
A USCIS officer reviews the forms under oath, checks original documents and, for marriages, asks about the relationship. Preparation reduces stress and helps answers stay consistent with the record.
What if my relative lives abroad?
The case follows consular processing: after USCIS approves the petition, the National Visa Center collects documents and the U.S. embassy or consulate holds the interview. See our page on family abroad.
Do you handle cases with a prior overstay or a past denial?
Yes. These cases need careful review because the right strategy depends on how the person entered, how long they stayed and what was filed before. We explain the options and any risks plainly.

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