Family sponsorship is one of the most common paths to a U.S. green card. If you are a professional without a qualifying relative, see our EB-2 NIW guide for a self-petitioned alternative.
Key takeaways
- Every case starts with Form I-130.
- Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have no visa bulletin wait.
- Other relatives fall into F1 to F4 preference categories.
- The sponsor files Form I-864, the affidavit of support.
Immediate relatives vs. preference categories
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have no annual limit. Preference categories have annual limits and visa bulletin waits that vary by country.
| Category | Who it covers | Visa bulletin wait |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate relative | Spouse, unmarried child under 21, parent of a U.S. citizen (21+) | None |
| F1 | Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens | Yes |
| F2A | Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders | Yes, often shorter |
| F2B | Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of green card holders | Yes |
| F3 | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | Yes, long |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (21+) | Yes, longest |
How does the family green card process work?
The U.S. relative files I-130. After approval, cases abroad go to the National Visa Center, then an embassy interview. Relatives in the U.S. may adjust status instead.
File I-130
By the U.S. relative
NVC
Fees, DS-260, I-864
Interview
U.S. embassy
Green card
Arrival in the U.S.
We'll confirm the category, expected wait and documents, and guide you to the interview.
What is the affidavit of support (I-864)?
Form I-864 is the sponsor's legally binding promise to support the immigrant. The sponsor generally needs income of at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size.
- Sponsor's most recent tax returns
- Proof of current income (pay stubs, employment letter)
- Joint sponsor if income is insufficient
- Assets can supplement income
- Household size calculated correctly
- Proof of U.S. domicile
What documents are needed from Pakistan?
Pakistani applicants typically need NADRA-issued civil documents, police certificates, passports and a medical exam with an embassy-approved panel physician.
- NADRA birth certificates
- NADRA marriage registration certificate
- Divorce or death certificates for prior marriages
- Police certificates
- Passports for each applicant
- Medical exam with a panel physician
Fees verified against the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055) and travel.state.gov on {date}. Government fees change periodically, so confirm before paying.
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Official sources
- USCIS: Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens
- USCIS: Form I-130
- USCIS: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
- U.S. Department of State: Visa Bulletin
- U.S. Department of State: Immigrant Visa Process
Phoenix Immigration Consulting Services LLC is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and may change; always confirm current rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov. Filing a petition or application does not guarantee approval.
