1. Family Based Petitions allow for individuals in the United States to sponsor their family to immigrate to the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for the immigration of foreigners to the United States based on a relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

2. If you are a U.S. Citizen, you may petition for the following relatives, as long as you can prove the relationships:

   a) Husband or wife;
   b) Unmarried children under 21 years old;
   c) Unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old;
   d) Married son or daughter of any age;
   e) Brother (s) or Sisters(s), if you are at least 21 years old.
   f) Mother or father, if you are at least 21 years old

3. If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may petition for the following relatives, as long as you can prove the relationships:

   a) Husband or wife;
   b) Unmarried child under 21 years of age;
   c) Unmarried son or daughter over 21 years of age.

4. If your relative is already in the United States, they may apply to adjust status to become a Green Card holder (lawful permanent resident) after a visa number becomes available using Form I-485. If your relative is outside the United States, your petition will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will forward your petition to the appropriate U.S. consulate when a visa becomes available and your relative will be notified about how to proceed. This process is referred to as “consular processing.”