👨👧 U.S. immigration law allows both citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor their children for a green card. But eligibility and wait times vary greatly depending on your child’s age, marital status, and your immigration status.
This article breaks it all down to help you reunite with your children—legally and permanently.
Who Can You Sponsor?
✅ U.S. Citizens can sponsor:
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Unmarried children under 21 (Immediate Relative – no waiting line)
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Unmarried children 21+ (F1 Visa Category)
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Married children of any age (F3 Visa Category)
✅ Green Card Holders can sponsor:
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Unmarried children under 21 (F2A Visa Category)
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Unmarried children 21+ (F2B Visa Category)
❌ Cannot sponsor married children
Key Definitions
📆 Child vs. Son/Daughter
In U.S. immigration:
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“Child” = Unmarried and under 21
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“Son/Daughter” = Over 21 or married (even if under 21)
🧬 Includes:
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Biological children
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Stepchildren (if relationship established before age 18)
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Adopted children (if adopted before age 16 and lived with you for 2 years)
Application Process
Step 1: File Form I-130
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Proves your relationship to your child
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Each child requires a separate I-130
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Processing time varies by visa category
Step 2: Green Card Process
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If abroad: Consular Processing via Form DS-260
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If in U.S.: Adjustment of Status with Form I-485
📄 Supporting documents include:
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Birth certificate
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Evidence of parent-child relationship
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Financial support (Form I-864)
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Civil and immigration records (if applicable)
Visa Categories & Wait Times
| Sponsor | Child’s Status | Category | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Citizen | Unmarried <21 | Immediate Relative | No wait |
| U.S. Citizen | Unmarried 21+ | F1 | 7–9 years |
| U.S. Citizen | Married (any age) | F3 | 12–14 years |
| Green Card Holder | Unmarried <21 | F2A | ~2 years |
| Green Card Holder | Unmarried 21+ | F2B | ~7 years |
⏳ Wait times fluctuate monthly based on the Visa Bulletin.
Special Considerations
👩👧👦 Sponsoring Multiple Children
Each child requires their own petition—even twins or siblings of same age.
📜 Aging Out / CSPA Protection
If your child turns 21 during the process, they may still qualify as a “child” under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).
🛂 Children with Immigration History or Issues
We can help resolve cases involving overstays, unlawful presence, or prior visa denials.
How BorderlessLawyers Can Help
👨⚖️ We support families every step of the way with:
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Accurate family petitions (I-130)
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Visa category strategy (F1, F2A, etc.)
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CSPA analysis for children turning 21
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Interview preparation and document review
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Complex case waivers (inadmissibility, unlawful presence, etc.)
FAQs
Q: Can I sponsor my child if I’m still waiting for my own green card?
Not until your green card is approved. Then you can sponsor unmarried children.
Q: What if my child is married?
Only U.S. citizens can sponsor married children, under the F3 category.
Q: Can I include my stepchild?
Yes—if the marriage to the child’s parent occurred before the child turned 18.
Keep Your Family Together with Confidence
At BorderlessLawyers, we treat every child sponsorship case with care and precision—so your children can join you in the U.S. as soon as possible.