HOW TO GET A “GREEN CARD” THROUGH A FAMILY MEMBER
Many people are able to obtain a “green card,” that is, permanent residency, as a family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you are living in the USA, and you are a U.S. citizen’s spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen who is over the age of 21, your relative may be able to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for your benefit. You would then follow up by going through the “Adjustment of Status” process to become a permanent resident of the US. (The procedure is similar, but slower, if you are trying to become a permanent resident through a family member who is not a U.S. citizen.)
The procedure is somewhat different for people who are outside of the United States, and is referred to as “consular processing.” If the applicant is successful, she will become a permanent resident once she admitted into the USA.. Please see our Practice Area entitled Consular Processing.
