US Family Immigration

Bring Your Family
Closer to You.

A US Family-Based Green Card can help eligible family members join their loved ones in the United States and work toward permanent residence.

Family Immigration

A pathway built around family reunification.

Surat Immigration provides structured guidance for family-based US immigration applications, from petition preparation to the final stage.

01
Primary Route Family Petition
02
Core Form Form I-130
03
Permanent Residence Green Card
01 / OVERVIEW

What is a US Family-Based
Green Card?

A family-based Green Card allows certain relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents to seek permanent residence in the USA.

Do you have close family members living in the United States? A family-based Green Card may provide a legal pathway for eligible relatives to reunite with them and build a long-term future in the USA.

A US citizen or lawful permanent resident can generally file a family petition for an eligible relative. Depending on the relationship and immigration category, the applicant may eventually receive permanent resident status.

Green Card holders can live and work permanently in the United States, subject to the applicable immigration rules. In the future, eligible permanent residents may also qualify to apply for US citizenship.

Eligibility, annual visa limits and waiting times can vary by family category. A proper assessment of the relationship and immigration category is important before filing.
02 / FAMILY CATEGORIES

Who Can Be Included?

US family immigration generally has different categories based on your relationship with the petitioner.

CATEGORY 01

Immediate Relatives

This category generally receives high priority under US family immigration rules.

Spouse Children under 21 Parents
CATEGORY 02

Family Preference

This category covers certain relatives of US citizens who do not fall under the immediate-relative category.

Unmarried Children Married Children Siblings
CATEGORY 03

Green Card Holders

Lawful permanent residents can also petition for certain eligible family members, subject to category rules.

Spouse Children Preference Categories
03 / ELIGIBILITY

Immediate Relative
Classification

  • ✓ Spouse of a US citizen.
  • ✓ Unmarried children under 21 of a US citizen.
  • ✓ Parents of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old.
04 / PREFERENCE CLASS

Family Preference
Categories

Preference categories are subject to annual numerical limits, which can result in waiting periods.

  • ✓ Unmarried children of US citizens who fall within the applicable age category.
  • ✓ Married children of US citizens.
  • ✓ Brothers and sisters of US citizens when the petitioner is at least 21 years old.
  • ✓ Certain eligible spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.
05 / APPLICATION JOURNEY

How the Process Works

The exact process depends on whether the beneficiary is already in the United States or applying from outside the country.

01

Family Petition

The US citizen or lawful permanent resident generally begins the process by filing Form I-130 for the eligible relative.

02

Petition Review

The petition is reviewed by the relevant US immigration authority. An approval notice may then allow the case to move to the next stage.

03

Adjustment of Status

Where permitted, a beneficiary already in the United States may file Form I-485 to request adjustment to permanent resident status.

04

Consular Processing

For beneficiaries outside the United States, an approved petition may proceed through the National Visa Center and the immigrant visa process.

05

Permanent Residence

Once the applicable immigration process is completed and the visa is approved, the applicant can proceed toward permanent residence.

06 / TWO-STAGE ROUTE

I-130 → I-485

Phase One

File Form I-130

The sponsoring US citizen or Green Card holder files the family petition and provides documents showing the qualifying relationship.

Phase Two

File Form I-485

When adjustment of status is available and permitted, the beneficiary may submit Form I-485 to request permanent residence from within the USA.

07 / OUTSIDE THE USA

If Your Relative Lives
Outside the US

When the beneficiary is outside the United States, the process normally starts with the family petition. After the petition is approved, the case may move to the National Visa Center for consular processing.

The beneficiary may then complete the required documentation, fees, medical examination and immigrant visa interview process before travelling to the United States.

The exact steps can vary according to the family relationship, visa category and current case status.
08 / DOCUMENTATION

Proving the Family
Relationship

  • ✓ Birth certificates and other official records showing biological relationships.
  • ✓ Marriage certificates and documents supporting genuine marital relationships.
  • ✓ Documents supporting the sponsor's US citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
  • ✓ Financial documents and Affidavit of Support where required.
  • ✓ Additional evidence requested according to the specific case.
09 / OUR SUPPORT

How Surat Immigration
Can Help

Every family case is different. Our role is to make the process clearer, organised and easier to manage.

Profile Assessment

We review the family relationship, petitioner status and basic eligibility before moving forward.

Petition Preparation

We help organise Form I-130 information and supporting documents for the family petition.

Document Review

Our team helps identify missing information, inconsistencies and supporting evidence required for the case.

Case Guidance

From petition filing to adjustment of status or consular processing, we guide applicants through the relevant stages.

Family Preference Cases

We help applicants understand preference categories, priority dates and the documentation needed for the next stage.

Application Support

Our team provides structured assistance throughout the application journey so that you understand what comes next.

Planning to reunite
with your family?

Get your family immigration profile reviewed and understand the possible US Green Card pathway for your case.

Start Your Assessment →