There are two groups that are eligible for family visas. The two groups are broken up into immediate relatives and family preferences. Immediate relatives include:

• Spouses of U.S. citizens
• Unmarried children under 21 
• Orphans adopted abroad 
• Parents of U.S citizens who are at least 21 

Family preference categories include:

• Unmarried children over 21
• Married children of U.S. citizens
• Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens 

If you have any other questions regarding if your family member is an immediate relative or a family preference, we can assist.

Just one step short of citizenship, being a green card holder grants you permanent residency in the U.S. green card holders are allowed to live and work permanently in the country. To be eligible for a green card through family, you must:

• Be an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen – this includes spouses, unmarried children under age 21, and the parents of U.S. citizens age 21 and older
• Be related to a lawful permanent resident
• Be the fiancé of a U.S. citizen or the child of a U.S. citizen’s fiancé
• Be the widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
• Be a victim of battery or abuse who is the spouse or relative of a U.S. citizen

Applying for a green card is easier with the help of a Houston immigration attorney from Fong Ilagan. We can help you put together an application and overcome any roadblocks along the way.

The K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa given to the foreign-citizen fiancés of U.S. citizens. Individuals who are granted this visa are allowed to enter the U.S. and marry their U.S. citizen fiancé within 90 days. Once married, the K-1 visa holder may apply for permanent residency. Any children of the K-1 visa holder may also enter the U.S. with a K-2 visa.

In order to qualify for a K-1 visa, you must:

• Be legally able to marry at the time of filing
• Have met your fiancé in person within the last two years (with some exceptions)
• Have evidence of your relationship with the U.S. citizen sponsoring you
• Complete all necessary application paperwork
• Pay required application fees

If you are seeking a fiancé visa, our Houston immigration attorneys can help you understand the necessary steps in the application process. We can help you compile solid evidence and build a strong application.

Intercountry adoption is a complex process that allows a U.S. citizen to adopt someone living in a foreign country. The USCIS offers three processes through which someone can immigrate to the U.S. on the basis of adoption:

• The Hague Process
  This process allows a U.S. citizen to adopt a child who lives in a country that is party to the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention.
• The Orphan Process
  This process allows a U.S. citizen to adopt a child who lives in a country that is not party to the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention
• Immediate Relative Process
  This process allows a U.S. citizen to adopt a child under certain circumstances – the adoptive child or adult is considered an adopting parent’s child if he/she was adopted before turning 16 or if the adopting parent had legal and physical custody of the child for at least two years while the child was a minor

When it comes to intercountry adoption, every case varies widely and requires the careful attention of a skilled immigration attorney. The team at Fong Ilagan can assess your situation and determine which process is best suited for your family.