When can kids sponsor green card?
21
The law says that you have to be 21 in order to sponsor someone for a green card, so sometimes, people are waiting for the child to turn 21 to be able to sponsor them, and that leads to some interesting immigration situations.
How long does it take for a green card for an unmarried child?
But that will take many years. The unmarried child, over age 21, of a U.S. citizen, receives an approved I-130 petition in the Family First Preference category (for which only 23,400 green cards are available each year). The child waits around seven years until a visa becomes available in that category, during which time the child gets married.
Can a child get a green card at the age of 21?
However, with the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), a child can actually turn 21 without turning 21 in the immigration law. That is because the law allows you to subtract from the child’s age the amount of time that it took USCIS to approve your family’s immigrant visa petition. But this would not save every child.
How old does a child have to be to get a US visa?
If your children are married or over age 21, they might or might not be able to get a visa based on your U.S. spouse, and any visa they might get will take years longer than yours to obtain. Their eligibility will depend in part on whether your spouse is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, as discussed below.
Can you petition a child for a green card at the same time?
When USCIS approves the I-130 petition and a visa is available for the principal beneficiary (the son), the wife and children can apply for green cards at the same time. Permanent Resident Petition for Child Lawful permanent residents can only file Form I-130 for an unmarried son or daughter (any age).
When do unmarried children get a green card?
The unmarried child, over age 21, of a U.S. citizen, receives an approved I-130 petition in the Family First Preference category (for which only 23,400 green cards are available each year). The child waits around seven years until a visa becomes available in that category, during which time the child gets married.
How old do you have to be to get a green card as an adult?
If you are a Permanent Resident, also known as a Green Card holder, you may petition for your unmarried children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) as well as any of your child’s children. You may also petition for any unmarried sons and daughters over the age of 21, sometimes referred to as an adult child, as well their children.
How old do you have to be to apply for an immigration card?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines a “child” as an unmarried individual under 21 years of age. The CSPA does not change this definition, but instead changes the point at which the child’s age is calculated.
What does age out for child immigration application mean?
The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) was enacted to provide relief to children who “age out” as a result of delays by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in processing immigrant visa applications. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines a “child” as an unmarried individual under 21 years of age.