If you are the adult child of a U.S. citizen, you may qualify for a green card if you are under 21 years of age and are unmarried. If you meet these criteria, the good news is that you are likely a strong candidate for a green card. This is because the USCIS does not put a limit on the number of visas available for the immediate family members of U.S. citizens. However, just because you have a parent who is a U.S. citizen does not mean that their citizenship will transfer to you. You must still apply and qualify on your own merits, which means meeting all eligibility criteria, which we will discuss below.
If you are in the United States legally under a temporary visa, you may be able to adjust the status of that visa to become a permanent resident. Adjustment of status is ideal because it allows you to remain in the U.S. legally while your application is processed. However, not everyone will qualify to use this process. If you entered the U.S. illegally or committed other violations of immigration law, such as working on a tourist visa or overstaying a visa illegally, you may not qualify for an adjustment in status and should talk to a lawyer to get a better idea of your options.
The first step of this process is to be legally present in the United States. Then, assuming you meet the eligibility criteria, which include being unmarried and under the age of 21, you will be able to file an I-485 form to adjust your status to that of permanent resident, along with Form I-130, to petition on behalf of an alien relative, which must be filed by your immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen. You will be able to remain in the country legally while your application is pending. Once approved, you will immediately be issued a green card. There is no additional waiting period as there is no limit on the number of green cards that USCIS is able to issue to the immediate family members of citizens.
If you are the adult child of a U.S. citizen, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you are entitled to a green card, and the experienced immigration attorneys at Sverdloff Law in Chicago, Illinois can help you get it as quickly and easily as possible. Contact Sverdloff Law today to schedule a consultation.