How long does it take to bring a child to the U.S. as a U.S. citizen?

Immediate relatives under age 21 and unmarried are not subject to visa limits, making the process faster, often within 12-18 months depending on processing center.

What forms are needed to bring a child to the U.S.?

The process typically includes Form I-130, I-485 (if in the U.S.), DS-260 (if abroad), and I-864 Affidavit of Support. We guide you through each form step-by-step.

Do I need a lawyer to file for my child?

Having an immigration lawyer helps avoid delays and mistakes. We provide personalized legal support, check all documents, and guide you through interviews and biometrics.

What if my child is over 21 or married?

U.S. citizens can still sponsor adult children, but the process falls under the F1 or F3 family-based preference categories, which have longer wait times.

Green Cards for Children of U.S. Citizens

Children of U.S. Citizens

Green Card for Children of U.S. Citizens

Whether your child is under 21, an adult, a stepchild, or adopted, U.S. citizens have the right to petition for their children's permanent residence. Attorney Oksana Sakhniuk handles the full process, from the I-130 petition through adjustment of status or consular processing and beyond.

As a U.S. citizen, you can petition for a green card for your child regardless of whether they are inside or outside the United States. We handle biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, and children born abroad. If you hold a green card rather than citizenship, see our page on LPR children green cards. Many clients also ask about sponsoring parents or naturalization requirements. Contact us to get started.

Eligibility: Who You Can Petition For

U.S. citizens may file an I-130 for three categories of children:

Unmarried Child Under 21 (Immediate Relative)

No waiting list. Immediate relatives can immigrate without waiting for a visa number to become available. This is the fastest category.

Unmarried Son or Daughter Over 21 (F1 Preference)

Subject to annual visa limits. Average wait is 8+ years for most countries, longer for Mexico (21+ years). Track availability via the State Department Visa Bulletin. Note: if they marry before becoming a permanent resident, they shift to the F3 category and the wait resets.

Married Son or Daughter, Any Age (F3 Preference)

Average wait is 11+ years. Mexico and Philippines often exceed 22 years due to per-country caps. Their spouse and children may be included in the petition.

How the Process Works for Adult Children

If your child is already in the U.S. in a valid nonimmigrant status (student visa, work visa, etc.): file Form I-130 and wait for a visa number to become current. Once available, they can file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident without leaving the country. They must maintain lawful status throughout the wait. If they fall out of status, adjustment of status is no longer available to them.

If your child is outside the U.S.: after the I-130 is approved and a visa number becomes available, the case transfers to the U.S. Consulate in their country. They apply for an immigrant visa, attend an interview, and upon approval enter the U.S. as a permanent resident. The immigrant visa is valid for six months from issuance.

Do not enter on a tourist visa to avoid consular processing. Entering on a B-2 visa shortly before your visa number becomes current with intent to adjust status constitutes visa fraud and will result in a green card denial.

Who Qualifies as a "Child" for Immigration Purposes?

Biological child born within a marriage
Biological child born outside marriage: mother can petition without legitimation; father must establish legitimation or prove a bona fide parent-child relationship existed before the child turned 21
Child born via ART to a non-genetic gestational mother recognized as legal parent at birth
Stepchild, provided the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before the child turned 18
Adopted child, if adopted before age 16 and the child has lived in the adoptive parent's legal and physical custody for at least 2 years each

Document Checklist for Green Card Application

Click to view the full list of required documents

To file for a green card for a child of a U.S. citizen, the following documents must be provided:

Foreign passport (original) of the immigrant + copy of the biographical page, as well as all pages with visa stamps;
Birth certificate of the immigrant;
Marriage certificate of the immigrant's parents;
Documents reflecting any name change, if the name differs from the one listed on the birth certificate;
If either the immigrant or the U.S. citizen was ever previously married, divorce documents for all prior marriages (death certificate, divorce certificate, or court divorce decree);
Document establishing U.S. citizenship (birth certificate if born in the U.S., or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization if citizenship was obtained through naturalization);
If there has been any arrest, detention, incarceration, or other criminal history, police records and court decisions must be provided.

Originals and Copies. Immigration services do not require us to submit original documents. Copies are sufficient to start the immigration process. However, you must be prepared to present originals at your immigration interview. Copies may be sent to attorney@myusaimmigration.com.

Translations. Any documents not in English must be translated. We work with translators who can assist with translation and notarization for $30.00 per document (final price set by the translator based on page count).

Our Approach

Why Work With Sakhniuk Immigration Law

Attorney-Led Review

Your case handled or personally overseen by a licensed immigration attorney, not a paralegal or document preparer.

Multilingual Service

We serve clients in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Explain your situation in the language you're most comfortable with.

All Age Groups Covered

We've helped U.S. citizens sponsor minor children, adults, stepchildren, and adopted kids from around the globe.

Transparent Flat Fees

No surprise billing. Most services are flat-fee so you know exactly what you pay from day one.

We Walk With You

We care about your outcome, not just paperwork. You get a dedicated point of contact at every stage of the process.

Serving Families Worldwide

Whether your child is in Ukraine, Mexico, India, or the U.S., we help families reunite from anywhere in the world.

What We Do For You — Step by Step

Initial Case Evaluation
Attorney-led assessment of your child's eligibility, whether minor, adult, step, or adopted, and the fastest path forward.
Personalized Roadmap & Timeline
A clear written plan, steps, timeline, required documents, and fees, so you always know what to expect.
Document Checklist & Evidence Planning
Custom checklist of birth certificates, adoption records, financial documents, and relationship proof tailored to your child's situation.
Form I-130 & Supporting Petitions
We prepare your I-130, I-485, I-864, and related forms, then file on your behalf or coach you step-by-step.
Adjustment or Consular Strategy
We determine the right path, adjustment of status if your child is in the U.S., or consular processing if abroad.
Document Review & Quality Control
Line-by-line attorney review of all forms and evidence to eliminate errors and omissions that cause RFEs or denials.

Proactive RFE Prevention & Response
We build filings to minimize RFEs. If one arrives, we respond quickly with legal analysis and supplemental evidence.
Interview Preparation
Comprehensive coaching on what officers ask, how to answer, and what documents to carry, so your child attends calm and prepared.
Consular Coordination
We coordinate with the NVC and consulate, verify DS-260 accuracy, and ensure your consular packet is complete.
Advocacy on Complex Issues
Stepchild or adoption complexities, missing documents, or inadmissibility? We advise on waivers and alternative legal paths.
Post-Approval Support
We help with green card delivery, travel documents, and guidance on next steps after your child's case is approved.
Continuous Communication
Timely updates, direct access to our team, and a dedicated contact so you always know where your case stands.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about sponsoring children of U.S. citizens for a green card.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a child for a green card?

Yes. U.S. citizens can sponsor their biological, step, or adopted children for lawful permanent residence. Children under 21 and unmarried are considered immediate relatives, so no visa cap or backlog applies to them.

How long does it take for a child of a U.S. citizen to get a green card?

For unmarried children under 21, it typically takes 12-18 months. For adult or married children, processing can take several years due to preference category limitations.

What forms are required to bring my child to the U.S.?

You'll usually need to file Form I-130. If your child is already in the U.S., you may also file Form I-485 for adjustment of status. Otherwise, consular processing is used with Form DS-260. Financial sponsorship through Form I-864 is also required.

Can stepchildren or adopted children qualify for immigration benefits?

Yes. Stepchildren are eligible if the marriage that created the step-relationship occurred before the child turned 18. Adopted children may qualify if the adoption took place before age 16 and certain residency conditions are met.

Does my child need to be unmarried?

Unmarried children under 21 qualify as immediate relatives with no wait. Married or adult children fall into other family-based preference categories, which have longer wait times.

What if my child is already in the U.S.?

If your child entered the U.S. legally, they may be eligible for adjustment of status without needing to leave the country. We can assess eligibility and file concurrently if possible to save time and reduce stress.

Do you offer services in Russian and Ukrainian?

Absolutely. Attorney Oksana Sakhniuk and our team are fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. We are proud to support Eastern European families through compassionate, multilingual legal service.

Services - Family Based Immigration - Children