A guide who has been there
Many of our attorneys have navigated immigration themselves. We lead with empathy, because we know what is at stake when it is your family on the line.
Family-Based Immigration
Bring your family together, the right way.
We help U.S. citizens and residents sponsor family members for a green card.
Overview
Family belongs together. If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you may be able to sponsor a spouse, child, parent, or sibling for permanent residence. We guide you through the petition with clear answers and steady support, so you can focus on the reunion ahead.
Why Choose Ellis Porter?
One attorney, start to finish
You work with a dedicated attorney who knows your story. No repeating yourself, no conflicting answers, and promptly responds to your questions.
Clarity at every step
No jargon and no guesswork. We explain each step in plain language so you always know where your case stands and what comes next.
Done right the first time
We prepare careful, complete filings so you can avoid the delays and stressful surprises that come from a petition that is missing pieces.
Results that reflect real experience.
- 23+ Years guiding clients through a system that rarely stands still.
- 90k+ Immigration approvals secured for individuals, families, and employers.
- 4.9/5 Average client review rating across hundreds of cases.
Family-Based Immigration
Sponsoring the relatives you love.
The relatives you can sponsor, and how quickly, depends on your status and your relationship to them. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens often move fastest, while other family members wait for a visa to become available. We help you understand where you stand.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult U.S. citizens have no annual visa cap, which usually means a faster path.
Family preference categories
Adult children, married children, and siblings of U.S. citizens, plus spouses and children of green card holders, fall into capped preference categories with wait times.
Sponsors who are green card holders
Lawful permanent residents can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children. We help you understand your timeline and options.
The affidavit of support
Most family petitions require the sponsor to show enough income or assets to support the relative. We will help evaluate how you can meet this requirement.
Family-Based Immigration
A clear process, start to finish.
You should never wonder where your case stands. We confirm who you can sponsor, prepare a strong I-130 petition, and guide your relative through the green card step, so you always know what to expect and what to do next.
Confirm who you can sponsor
We review your status and relationship to confirm eligibility and set realistic expectations on timing.
Prepare and file the I-130
We prepare your petition and the evidence that proves your family relationship, then file it with USCIS.
Track and plan ahead
We monitor your case and, where there is a wait, help you plan for the green card step when a visa becomes available.
Green card and interview prep
We guide your relative through Adjustment of Status or consular processing and prepare you both for any interview.
Featured Family Immigration Attorneys
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I sponsor for a green card?
It depends on your status. U.S. citizens can sponsor a spouse, children, parents, and siblings. Green card holders can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children. We confirm your options.
How long does family sponsorship take?
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens usually move fastest. Other categories have visa caps and can involve longer waits. We give you a realistic estimate for your situation.
What is the difference between an I-130 and a green card?
The I-130 establishes your qualifying family relationship. Once it is approved and a visa is available, your relative applies for the green card itself. We guide both steps.
Do I need to meet an income requirement?
Usually yes. As the sponsor, you typically file an affidavit of support showing enough income or assets to support your relative. We will help evaluate how you can meet this requirement.
Can my relative wait in the U.S. or abroad?
It depends on the category and how they entered. Some relatives adjust status from within the U.S., while others go through a consulate abroad. We help you plan the right path.
Hundreds of Success Stories
[My Ellis Porter attorney] has been absolutely wonderful. She is extremely knowledgeable and has explained every step of the way very well. She did an excellent job with our application and we got our green card approved!!! She is very easy to talk to and very caring!!! I would highly recommend [her] if you have any doubts with the US Immigration process!! Overall i’d like to thank [her] and her team for the wonderful job they had done, they are really changing lives one by one and making this a better world. You are in good hands with [my Ellis Porter attorney] and her team.
[Our Ellis Porter attorney] handled my husband’s petition for alien relative application. We initially consulted three different attorneys, and decided to hire Ellis Porter following our great interaction with the team. The whole process was completely seamless and very simple for us, and they made sure to forward every update on our petition as soon as it came in. We just got the notice that my husband has been granted his conditional green card. Thank you!
[My Ellis Porter attorney] was excellent. She helped us with my wife’s spousal visa, and she was friendly, knowledgable, caring, and efficient. She guided us throughout the entire process smoothly and got things done in record time. My wife was approved for her visa, fortunately, and far earlier than we had anticipated. [My Ellis Porter attorney] and her team went above and beyond our expectations, and we would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for legal help with immigration needs.
Request a Consultation Today
Tell us who you hope to sponsor and your current status. We will help you understand who you can bring here, how long it may take, and the best path to begin the process.