FAMILY VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES

SPOUSE OF US CITIZEN/PARENT OF US CITIZEN VISA TO THE UNITED STATES

US citizens may sponsor their foreign spouse, unmarried child under 21 years of age, or their mother, father, step parent or adoptive parent living abroad or already residing in the United States to live and work in the US on a permanent basis. As a permanent resident, applicants have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, leave and return to the United States under certain conditions, attend public schools and colleges and become a US citizen when eligible. Widow(er)s of US citizens may also be eligible under this category.

The Spouse of US Citizen/Parent of US Citizen Visa can be applied for from either inside or outside the United States. If applying while in the US, the applicant must have entered the United States lawfully with a valid non-immigrant visa. If applying while outside the US, the applicant must be outside the United States at the time the visa is granted.

SPOUSE OF CITIZEN/PARENT OF CITIZEN VISA (IR) BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for a Spouse of US Citizen Visa, the US citizen and the foreign spouse must be legally married and provide a valid marriage certificate. Children of the applicant require a separate petition, and they must be unmarried and under 21 years of age.

In order for widow(er)s of US citizens to be eligible, applicants must have been married to a US citizen for at least two years, not have been legally separated from their deceased spouse at the time of death, not have remarried and the US spouse must have died less than two years ago. Unmarried children of the widow(er) under 21 years may apply with their parent.

To be eligible for the Parent of US Citizen Visa, the US citizen child must be at least 21 years of age and the relationship between the parent and child must be proven. Applicants must also meet certain health and character requirements.

SPOUSE OF CITIZEN/PARENT OF CITIZEN VISA (IR) ENTITLEMENTS

The Spouse of US Citizen/Parent of US Citizen Visa provides applicants the opportunity to reunite with family living in the United States and become permanent residents. Permanent Residents have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, leave and return to the United States under certain conditions, attend public schools and colleges and become a US citizen when eligible to do so.