Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 1

IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR THE

UNMARRIED ADULT (OVER 21) SON OR

DAUGHTER OF A U.S. CITIZEN

BEFORE THE UNMARRIED ADULT (OVER 21) SON OR

DAUGHTER APPLIES TO ADJUST STATUS (IN THE

UNITED STATES) OR CONSULAR PROCESS AT A U.S.

CONSULATE (OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES)

Obtain information on our excellent

Do-It-Yourself Immigration iKitTM

that will allow you to prepare your

own immigration petitions and

applications.

Schedule a low cost telephone

consultation with one of our

immigration attorneys, to discuss

your case and your eligibility for

immigration benefits.

Receive our FREE monthly

newsletter with up to date news and

information on US immigration law,

including hints and tips to file a

successful immigration case.

Welcome to ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc., "Your Immigration Link to the World". The information contained in this

iKitTM

is the most accurate, up-to-date information available, and will allow the average person to find out about

new changes in the immigration laws, so that they can prepare and file their own immigration case without the need

of spending hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars on attorneys' fees. *Terms of use and disclaimer.

Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 2

NOTE

THIS PRODUCT PREVIEW FOR THE iKITTM

HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO SHOW SELECTED

PAGES AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE

iKITTM

IN ITS ENTIRETY.

THIS iKITTM

HAS 50 PAGES IN TOTAL, TOGETHER

WITH LINKS TO ALL OF THE REQUIRED

IMMIGRATION FORMS, STATUTES, AND

REGULATIONS, AND CONTAINS LINE-BY-LINE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF ALL OF THE

REQUIRED FORMS.

Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I - IKIT OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................... 5

A. WHO SHOULD FILE / USE THIS IKITTM

? ..................................................................................................................... 5 B. VISA AVAILABILITY ................................................................................................................................................ 5 C. WHAT IS LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE (GREEN CARD) AND ITS BENEFITS? ................................................................. 5 D. DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

SECTION II – PROCESS OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 9

A. PART 1 – USC PETITIONING FOR ADULT (OVER 21) ALIEN SON OR DAUGHTER ................................................................ 9 1. PRE-REQUISITES FOR USC FILING ........................................................................................................................ 9 2. PREPARING AND SENDING THE I-130 PACKAGE ..................................................................................................... 9 3. WAITING FOR A DECISION ON THE I-130 PETITION ................................................................................................. 9 4. NATIONAL VISA CENTER .................................................................................................................................. 10

B. PART 2 – CONSULAR PROCESSING OR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS .................................................................................. 11 1. CONSULAR PROCESSING .................................................................................................................................. 12 2. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS ................................................................................................................................. 12

SECTION III – IMMIGRATION FORM, DOCUMENTS & EVIDENCE .......................................................................... 13

A. FORM OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 13 B. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMS AND/OR INTERVIEW ...................................................................... 13

1. PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP OF PETITIONER ........................................................................................................ 13 2. PROOF OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS FOR ADULT SON OR DAUGHTER ..................................... 14

SECTION IV – IMMIGRATION LAWS ..................................................................................................................... 18

A. INA § 101 – DEFINITIONS [8 U.S.C. § 1101] ....................................................................................................... 18 B. INA § 201 – WORLDWIDE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION [8 U.S.C. § 1151] ...................................................................... 20 C. INA § 204 – PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING IMMIGRANT STATUS [8 U.S.C. § 1154]....................................................... 21 D. INA § 205 – REVOCATION OF APPROVAL OF PETITIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE [8 U.S.C. § 1155] .......................................... 23 E. INA § 245 – ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF NONIMMIGRANT TO THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE [8

U.S.C. § 1255]................................................................................................................................................. 23 F. 9 FAM 40.1 N2.4 – QUALIFICATION OF ADOPTED CHILD UNDER INA 101(B)(1)(E) .................................................... 28 G. 9 FAM 40.1 N5 – SON OR DAUGHTER DEFINED ..................................................................................................... 28 H. 9 FAM 42.31 – FAMILY SPONSORED IMMIGRANTS ................................................................................................. 29 I. 9 FAM 42.31 N1 – ENTITLEMENT TO CLASSIFICATION UNDER INA 203(A) ................................................................. 30 J. 9 FAM 42.31 N2 – DERIVATIVE STATUS FOR SPOUSE AND CHILD(REN) ....................................................................... 30

a. N2.1 – Offspring of Derivative Child ......................................................................................................... 30 b. N2.2 – Filing Petitions for Derivative Aliens .............................................................................................. 31

K. 9 FAM 42.31 N4 – AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF PETITIONS .................................................................................... 31 a. N4.1 – Immediate Relative Converts to First or Third Preference ............................................................. 31 b. N4.2 – First Preference Converts to Third Preference ............................................................................... 31 c. N4.3 – Second Preference Converts to Immediate Relative ...................................................................... 31 d. N4.4 – Second Preference Converts to First Preference ............................................................................ 32 e. N4.5 – Third Preference Converts to First Preference ............................................................................... 32

SECTION V – FILLING OUT THE I-130 PETITION ..................................................................................................... 33

A. GENERAL TIPS .................................................................................................................................................... 33 B. PETITION FOR THE ALIEN RELATIVE (MANDATORY FORM) .......................................................................................... 35

1. LINE BY LINE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM I-130 (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE US CITIZEN PETITIONER) ................................ 35 2. CHECKLIST FOR FORM I–130 ........................................................................................................................... 40

Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 5

SECTION I - IKIT OVERVIEW

A. WHO SHOULD FILE / USE THIS IKITTM?

A U.S. Citizen (USC) may use this iKitTM to petition for his/her unmarried adult son or

daughter who must be 21 years or older at time of petition (F1 Category). The adult son

or daughter does not qualify for the immediate relative (IR) category because the alien

beneficiary is not younger than 21 years of age. If the USC wishes to petition for more

than one adult son or daughter, separate petitions must be submitted.

To qualify for this category, the adult son or daughter must have met the legal definition

of “child” when s/he was younger than 21. If the unmarried son or daughter has children

(USC’s grandchildren) under age 21 at the time of filing, they would be automatically

included in the petition as derivative beneficiaries. If the unmarried son or daughter

seeks to marry before an immigrant visa is issued, the death of the USC petitioner occurs,

or if there is any other situation that may impact USC’s petition once filed, visit Section

IX.

B. VISA AVAILABILITY

Only 23,400 visas per year (plus any unused visas from the F4 category) are available

worldwide in this visa category. The unmarried son or daughter must have an approved

immigrant petition (I-130) and wait for a visa number to become available before

applying to adjust status in the United States (Adjustment of Status) or to obtain an

immigrant visa abroad at a U.S. Consulate (known as Consular Processing). There is

usually a long waiting list in this category, and depending on the adult son or daughter’s

country of chargeability, s/he may have to wait several years before having the

opportunity to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. To check the current waiting list in

this preference category, click here.

C. WHAT IS LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE (GREEN CARD) AND ITS BENEFITS?

Lawful Permanent Residence, commonly referred to as having a Green Card, gives the

foreign national the status of being a LPR of the United States and allows the LPR to

legally live and work in the United States. Possession of a Green Card does not affect the

foreign national’s current citizenship. If the LPR were to travel abroad, the LPR must

travel with his / her country’s passport when entering and leaving the United States. An

LPR may travel to and from the United States without any limitations for up to 6

months, but some exceptions may apply.

D. DEFINITIONS

1. Adjustment of Status – This is the procedure that allows a foreign national to apply

for US permanent residence (i.e., a “green card”) and is available only to certain

foreign nationals. First, the applicant has to be eligible for a green card, and second,

the alien must be in the United States legally (received a visa, entered on a visa

Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 9

SECTION II – PROCESS OVERVIEW

The following process generally applies to most cases when filing for an adult son or

daughter of a USC; however, it can vary based upon your personal situation. Consult an

immigration lawyer if you have any questions about your unique situation.

Although this iKitTM describes the overall process from the Petition to receiving the LPR

card, this iKitTM only focuses on “Part 1” in detail. Depending on whether the adult son or

daughter beneficiary was admitted or paroled into the United States, or resides overseas, you

would purchase “Part 2” the Family Adjustment iKitTM or the Consular Processing iKitTM

after

receiving NVC’s notification from Step 4c (of Part 1) below.

A. PART 1 – USC PETITIONING FOR ADULT (OVER 21) ALIEN SON OR DAUGHTER

1. PRE-REQUISITES FOR USC FILING

Before a USC petitioner considers filing, the adult son or daughter must meet the

following pre-requisites:

a. 21 years old – Adult son or daughter must be 21 years old or older at time of

petition;

b. Child – the adult son or daughter would have qualified as a “child” according to

INA § 101(b)(1) if s/he was under 21 years of age; and

c. U.S. Citizen – petitioning parent is a U.S. Citizen.

2. PREPARING AND SENDING THE I-130 PACKAGE

a. Completing the I-130 Petition

Utilize Sections III and V of this iKitTM when completing Form I-130. The line-

by-line instructions within section V prevent commonly made mistakes when

completing this form. The USC has only one chance to efficiently and correctly

complete his/her petition on behalf of each adult alien son or daughter.

b. Preparation of the Package

After the USC completes and signs each petition for each son or daughter, s/he

will have to submit copies of all relevant documents proving the adult-child

relationship and appropriate filing fees. Make sure to follow the instructions and

recommendations as explained in Section V.

3. WAITING FOR A DECISION ON THE I-130 PETITION

The mere filing of an I-130 petition does not give the beneficiary the right to remain

in the United States while the petition is pending, or while waiting for the priority

date to become current. If the adult son or daughter beneficiary is legally in the

United States when the I-130 petition is filed, s/he can only remain in the U.S. by

maintaining a valid non-immigrant status. If the alien remains unlawfully in the

Immigrant Petition for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of a US Citizen

© 2000–2012, ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc. P a g e | 51

SECTION X – CONCLUSION

If you have followed all of the instructions in this iKitTM, you are well on your way to

obtaining an approved petition so that your adult son or daughter may either adjust status in the

United States or apply abroad at a U.S. Consulate for an immigrant visa. You have been able to

prepare your entire application for permanent residence at a fraction of the cost that you would

have paid to an immigration law attorney. In addition, you have been prepared far better than

you would have been if you were doing the case yourself, without the aid of this iKitTM.

It has been our pleasure to assist you with your case. If at any time you feel that you

need to speak with one of the immigration law attorneys from this office, you can call us at (407)

833-8951 or make an appointment online. Furthermore, we hope that you will continue to visit

our website at www.ImmigrationLinks.com for any information you need regarding US

Immigration Law.