The family-based immigration process allows you to bring certain types of family members over to live with you in the United States if you are a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The process involves many steps and can be complicated, and one of the biggest questions you likely have is how long will the process take?
Time frames for different family members
There is no exact answer to the question of how long the process takes. It depends on several different factors, such as the type of green card you are applying for, where you are applying from and the relationship to the family member.
However, there are general time frames that vary based on the type of family member. The wait time for spouses is usually between 10 to 17 months, depending on your spouse’s citizenship status.
The wait time for bringing minor children to the United States is between 10 to 13 months for U.S. citizens, with the time being slightly longer if you have a green card. The process takes about the same time for widows and parents of U.S. citizens.
If you want to bring adult children to the United States, the wait time gets much longer. The process can take 7-9 years for unmarried adult children, and up to 14 years for married adult children.
The wait time for siblings can also be quite long, with the process taking between 14-16 years.
Additional considerations
Your specific circumstances and the home country your family members are coming from can also affect your wait time. Times may be longer for those coming from countries such as China, India, Mexico and the Philippines.
Family is important to almost all of us, and it is extremely difficult to be away from family members, especially when you are in different countries. Going through the family-based immigration process with the help of an experienced immigration attorney can help you have a better idea of what to expect.