Parents generally want to give their children every opportunity that they can. Oftentimes, those opportunities result from career development and careful financial planning. Parents may try to earn as much as they can and network so that their children have stability, social connections or educational opportunities. Sometimes, career development or educational pursuits may result in a parent immigrating to the United States. They continue their education here or obtain jobs that offer better pay or advancement opportunities. In some cases, parents living in the United States can help their children immigrate as well.
What are the three scenarios in which parents can help their children legally enter the United States?
After securing a visa
Parents with visas can often travel with their immediate family members. Spouses and children may be eligible for visas related to an individual’s employment or student visa. Generally speaking, only unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible for visas related to a parent’s visa.
After adjusting their status
Those who have lawfully been in the United States for years can submit paperwork asking to adjust their status. If they meet all of the necessary criteria, they may qualify for a green card or permanent resident card. At that point, they may then be able to offer their children an opportunity for a family preference visa. Family preference visas give the close family members of permanent residents or citizens an opportunity to obtain green cards of their own. Both minor, unmarried children and unmarried children over the age of 21 may be eligible for family preference visas when their parent has a green card.
After acquiring citizenship
Naturalized and natural-born citizens have access to the most family-based immigration options. A parent who is a citizen of the United States can potentially help their children of any age enter the United States legally. They are also the only people capable of helping a married child immigrate. Parents who want to give their children the best future possible may decide to help them legally enter the United States.
Learning more about family immigration programs can help parents give their children the best opportunities in life. Those with visas, green cards or citizenship may have an assortment of different options for helping their children enter the country.