An American citizen has the ability to request their immediate relatives to be admitted as residents in the country. However, some may speculate that when requesting children, it can only be done if they are underage and unmarried.
This is false. Here at Quiroga Law Office, PLLC, we will explain why.
Which relatives can be requested by a citizen?
A person who has U.S. citizenship can request any of their relatives, as long as they are considered immediate relatives. For this, the person must be:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children under 21 years old
- Children adopted abroad
- Parents
- Siblings
- Orphans to be adopted within U.S. territory
Married children can also be requested, regardless of their age. However, these would not be considered immediate relatives but would be categorized under family preference.
It is important to mention that if the requester is a legal permanent resident, they can only request their children if they are underage and unmarried.
Important information to consider
There is a limit on the number of visas available for these requests. Therefore, the process may be delayed due to the waiting time for the application to be considered.
To expedite some procedures, it is advisable to consult an immigration lawyer who can provide better guidance on this matter.