Home arrow U.S. Immigration Laws
U.S. Immigration Laws PDF Print E-mail
Article Index
U.S. Immigration Laws
Immigration Status: Employment-based
Employment-based First Preference
EmploymentBased-Second Preference
EmploymentBased-ThirdPreference
EmploymentBased-FourthPreference
EmploymentBased-FifthPreference
Labor Certification
Non Immigrant Status
Non Immigration Status: F1 Student
Non Immigrant Status: J1- Exchange Visitor
Non Immigrant Status: B-1 Business Visitor
Non Immigrant Status: Visa Waiver Program
Non Immigrant Status: TN Status
Non Immigrant Status: H-1B Specialty Worker
Non Immigrant Status: L-1 Intra Company Transferee
Non Immigrant Status: O-1 Extraordinary Ability
Non Immigrant Status: E-2 Treaty Investor
Non Immigrant Status: Other Types of Employment Based Nonimmigrant Visas
Developments Affecting Employment Based Cases
Family Based Immigrant Status
Family Based Immigrant Status: First Preference
Family Based Immigrant Status: Second Preference
Family Based Immigrant Status: Third Preference
Family Based Immigrant Status: Fourth Preference
Conclusion
Download
Page 21 of 27

 

VI. FAMILY BASED IMMIGRANT STATUS

The immediate relatives of U.S. citizens do not come under the quota system, so immigrant visas are always available. "Immediate relatives" are defined as spouses of U.S. citizens, parents of U.S. citizens over the age of 21, and unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens. Note that the spouse of a U.S. citizen will only be granted "conditional" permanent resident status for an initial two years if the couple has been married less than two years at the time of adjudication. The CIS will want to verify at the end of this period that the couple still resides together and that no fraud was involved. A waiver could be sought if the couple divorced during this period. If not an immediate relative, an applicant must show a relationship under one of the family‑based categories listed below:

Family‑Based Categories

1st Preference: Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of U.S. citizens.

2nd Preference: Spouses and children (under 21) of permanent residents, or unmarried

sons and daughters (over age 21) of permanent residents.

3rd Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over age 21). 4th Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (over age 21).
 
[ Back ]
Search words: austin texas immigration lawyer, BCIS, CIS, U.S. or US immigration lawyers, labor certification, green card, PERM, work permit, employment authorization document, USA green card, US immigration lawyers, U.S. visa, H-1B, TX immigration lawyer, Austin immigration lawyer, US citizenship, Central texas immigration lawyers. Fluent in Spanish, French & English The law offices of Paul Parsons specialize solely in U.S. immigration and nationality law, including H-1, H-4, K-1, K-2, K-3, K-4, L-1A, L-1B, E-2, V and Trade NAFTA (TN) non-immigrant visas, labor certifications (PERM), national interest waivers, priority worker visas, family-based cases, adjustment of status, consular processing, citizenship, and naturalization. if you need an immigration lawyer, get an experienced immigration lawyer.