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Family Based Green Card
(Form I-130 and Form I-485)

This service is intended to help you prepare all the required immigration forms and give you an opportunity to move to the United States and be reunited with the most important people in your life.

 

Getting a Green Card is the first step to becoming a U.S. citizen. Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) can live in the US, work or study for as long as they want on the condition that they adhere to certain rules. You may be eligible to apply if you have a job or family in the US.

 

Read the information below to learn more about applying for a Family based Green Card with the assistance of our attorneys.

What documents are required?

- Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

- Biographic Information

- Form I-130A if the applicant is a spouse of a U.S. citizen/permanent resident

- A photocopy of your current marital status document, evidence of your and/or your relative’s previous marriage(s) termination

- Affidavit of Support Form I-864

- Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record (I-94)

- Color passport photographs on white background, 2x2 inches

- Passport and Travel Documents

- The applicant’s Birth Certificate

- Medical Examination

- Form I-131 Travel Permit/Advance Parole (if necessary)

- Form I-765 Employment Authorization/Work Permit Application (if necessary)

- Documents proving that the sponsor can support the immigrating relative. 

- A copy of your federal tax return for the recent year or the most recent three years

- Asset value proof (bank statements, real estate and vehicle ownership documents, stocks, etc.)

- The Sponsor’s U.S. birth or naturalization certificate or U.S. passport proving their status of a U.S. citizen or the one of a lawful permanent resident

- Police clearance from every country in which the applicant lived for six months and longer, after the age of 16.

- Adoption decrees (for children and siblings petitions)

- Evidence that you had 2 years of legal and physical  custody (for children petitions)

- Marriage / marriage termination certificates of all parents / step-parents (children and siblings petitions)

- Form DS-260 if the applicant is a spouse of a U.S. citizen/permanent resident living abroad

 

The list may vary depending on each individual case, you may be requested additional documents other than listed above.

Who can apply for a Family Based Green Card?

  • The applicant must be a relative of a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident

  • A U.S. Citizen may petition for their spouse, married and unmarried children of any age, parents, or fiancé.

  • A U.S. lawful permanent resident may petition for their spouse and unmarried children of any age

  • The sponsor must 21 years of age or older

The list above contains the general requirements and may vary depending on each individual case, there may be requirements other than listed above.

How much does it cost?

U.S. government fees are mandatory and nonrefundable:

  • Petition for Alien Relative (I-130): $535

If approved:

  • Form I-485 filing fee: $1,140

  • Online immigrant visa application (DS-260) (if necessary): $325

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The total cost for each type of green card application can vary. The figures above do not include travel costs, securing needed documents, attorney fees, professional assistance fees. Government fees may change by the decision of the government.

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Application advisory fee charged by USA Visa Consultants:  $899

How long does it take?

Who can apply for a Family Based Green Card?

 

  1. The petition filed by Sponsor (Form I-130) is reviewed within 5-12 months for immediate relatives; it can take up to several years for other family categories.

  2. If the petition is approved, the intended immigrant files Form I-485; the USCIS confirms the receipt within 1-3 weeks. The application processing time is from 7 to 33 months.

  3. The Biometrics appointment is scheduled within 2-6 weeks thereof.

  4. An interview is scheduled within 4-10 weeks.

  5. If the application is approved, the applicant can obtain a temporary Green Card at the local USCIS office in 5-7 months.

  6. An actual green card is received 1-2 weeks later.

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This information is approximate and does not guarantee that the actual timeline of your application will be the same.

Application tips:

- Submit your valid and up-to-date official documents

- Do not provide false, misleading or fraudulent information or documents

- Answer all of the questions honestly

- Avoid spelling mistakes

- Provide as much information as you can

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