GC
Biography
Family-based immigration is the largest path to U.S. permanent residence. Two structurally different tracks live inside this category: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, who face no annual numerical limit (INA 201(b)(2) / 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)), and family-sponsored preference relatives, who are subject to annual caps and country chargeability under INA 203(a) / 8 U.S.C. 1153(a). The path the case takes is determined by the petitioner’s status (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) and the relationship to the beneficiary.
Yaghmai Law Firm prepares Form I-130 petitions, manages priority-date and Visa Bulletin tracking, handles Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) calculations under INA 203(h), and routes cases between adjustment of status under INA 245 and consular processing under INA 221/222 once a visa number becomes available. Strategy sessions are available remotely worldwide.
Below is the framework we use to plan a family-based case—categories, evidence USCIS expects, priority-date mechanics, CSPA, and the AOS vs consular decision. If you want to move directly to a planning conversation, you can schedule a strategy session or send us your case details.
Family-based green cards live in two structurally different statutory boxes. The box determines the cap, the wait, and how derivative beneficiaries are treated.
The immediate relative category covers spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. There is no annual numerical limit on immediate relative immigrant visas, so a priority date is never “backlogged” for these cases. The principal subcategories are: