Family Petitions

Adjustment of Status or Permanent Resident Status through a Relative Petition

To apply for a family petition, make an appointment today!

Simply call 404-471-1889 to schedule an appointment. 

There are different ways to adjust your status in the United States to Lawful Permanent Resident. One of the most common ways is through a family petition.  The petitioner in this case must be a qualifying relative who is a citizen of the United States, or a relative who is a lawful permanent resident.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, commonly known as USCIS, must approve an immigrant visa petition for Alien Relative, for you. This petition is filed by your relative (sponsor) and must be accompanied by proof of your relationship to the requesting relative.

Step 2:

The Department of State must determine if an immigrant visa number is immediately available to you, the foreign national, even if you are already in the United States. When an immigrant visa number is available, it means you can apply to have one of the immigrant visa numbers assigned to you. You can check the status of a visa number in the Department of State's Visa Bulletin.

Step 3:

If you are already in the United States, you may apply to change your status to that of a lawful permanent resident after a visa number becomes available to you. This is one way you can apply to secure an immigrant visa number. If you are outside the United States when an immigrant visa number becomes available, you must then go to the U.S. consulate servicing the area in which you reside to complete your processing. This is the other way to secure an immigrant visa number.

Eligibility requirements for the petitioner or sponsor:

In order for a relative to sponsor you to immigrate to the United States, they must meet the following criteria:

• They must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and be able to provide documentation providing that status.

• They must prove that they can support you at 125% above the mandated poverty line, by filling out an Affidavit of Support.

The relatives which may be sponsored as an immigrant vary depending on whether the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

1. If the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen, they may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the U.S:

a. Husband or wife

b. Unmarried child under 21 years of age

c. Unmarried son or daughter over 21

d. Married son or daughter of any age

e. Brother or sister, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old, or

f. Parent, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old.

2. If the sponsor is a lawful permanent resident, they may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the U.S.:

a.  Husband or wife, or

b. Unmarried son or daughter of any age.

In any case, the sponsor must be able to provide proof of the relationship.

Important Reminder: There are different circumstances that may influence the eligibility and outcome in each case, including the manner of entry into the United States, the time of last entry, previous applications submitted to USCIS, conviction of crimes or even commission of a crime without a conviction, etc. For more information and a complete analysis of your particular case, please call the immigration services department at 404-471-1889 to schedule an appointment with one of our Attorneys or accredited representatives.

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