Did you know that family visas today account for around 65% of legal immigration in America each year? It is thus evident that the primary basis for immigration to the US is family-based immigration. Today, we will read about the ten most interesting facts about family-based immigration that are prevalent in the sphere of immigration in America.
What is Family-Based Immigration?
Certain non-citizens who are family members of US citizens or permanent residents are allowed to become lawful permanent residents of the US by the US government. The decision is based on the relation of the applicant with the person.
Only the spouse, minor child, or parents of US citizens can get family-based immigration to the US. Thus, family-based immigration means the immigration of a person carried forward due to their immediate relation with a pre-existing citizen of the US.
Who is Eligible For a Family Visa?
The family members of a lawful permanent resident or citizen of the US, as mentioned below, are eligible for family-based immigration-
- First Preference- Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (of age 21 or above)
- Second Preference- children (unmarried and below 21 years of age) and spouses of permanent residents
- Second Preference- unmarried daughters and sons of permanent residents (aged 21 or above)
- Third Preference- married sons and daughters of citizens of the US
- Fourth Preference- brothers and sisters of US citizens (only if the US citizen has attained the age of 21)
Some Facts About Family-Based Immigration
- The emphasis of the immigration policy is on four principles: skill-based immigration, refugee protection, family reunification, and country of origin diversity.
- Since the late 1800s, family reunification has become a vital immigration policy. However, the levels of immigration in the US were reduced in the 1920s due to the change in the law that requires national origins quota.
- In 1965, Congress changed the immigration quotas, which favored family reunification, by passing the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Recently, the most significant number of family-based immigrants in the US has been from Mexico, China, the Philippines, India, and the Dominican Republic.
- Every year, the government of the United States issues around 480,000 family-based visas.
- US citizens above the age of 21 have no limit on the visas issued to their immediate relatives. However, it is subtracted from the family-based immigration quota of 480,000.
- Congress has set a minimum number of family-based visas (approx 226,000) to be allotted through family-based preferences such as unmarried adult children, brothers, sisters, etc.
- No country can receive more than 7% of the total family-based visas issued annually.
- According to the reports in January 2019, some of the US citizens’ relatives who are visa petitioners have been waiting for their turn for 23-24 years!
- The percentage of new businesses established by the immigrants rose from 13.3% to 28.5% from 1997 to 2014, according to the National Immigration forum.
What Are The Requirements For Family Visas?
The essential requirement for a person to apply for a family-based visa is having a sponsor in the US. Apart from this, the application should be filled out by the candidate correctly, and several screenings and background checks to be completed. In addition to this, the requisites are an interview, a fee, and a medical examination.
The relative sponsoring the family-based visas should reside in the US and must be over 18 or 21 (in varying cases). They will have to file a petition for the family member they want to get the visa with the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
In the petition, they need to prove the legitimacy of their relationship along with proof that they meet the income requirements. Also, a signed affidavit by the sponsor must state that they are financially responsible for the applicant.
After this, the applicant must undergo several background checks, including criminal, national security, health-related, and other checks and screenings. After approving the petition, the USCIS will send it to the National Visa Centre (NVC), where the applicant will have to complete certain forms and pay the fees.
The Embassy officer interviews the applicant to determine their eligibility. The applicants then must undergo a medical examination and obtain the required vaccinations for the government to issue the visa.
Final Thoughts
Getting a family-based visa in the US is a lengthy process for the applicant and the sponsor. However, with the assistance of experts, you can streamline the process to ensure that you get the visa on the first try.
The legal services by C Rodriguez in this regard are highly beneficial. Over the years, with the assistance of its experienced team of legal experts, C Rodriguez has helped many people achieve the dream of staying with their family in the US through family-based immigration.
So if you are looking for such services and want to ensure that no roadblocks come your way in bringing your family members to you, contact our legal experts today and get the best services.
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