The Family Visa System

United States citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members in order for them to become residents of the United States. It is a two-step process. The first step is to file a family visa petition. The second step is to file an application for the family member to become a lawful permanent resident.

The form that starts the process is the visa petition, which is Form I-130 entitled "Petition for Alien Relative". Only a United States citizen or permanent resident can file a visa petition on behalf of a family member.