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This pamphlet contains general information concerning INS laws.
It cannot cover every aspect of all INS laws or every situation.

U. S. Immigration & Naturalization Service
4730 Paris Street
Denver, Co. 80239

Who Can Brings Relative, to Live Permanently in the United States?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may apply to bring the following relatives to the USA:

• Wife or husband
• Parents
• Children, regardless of age or marital status
• Brothers and Sisters

If you are a legal permanent resident, you may apply to bring the following relatives to the United States:

• Wife or husband
• Unmarried sons/daughters

What is the process for Bringing a Relative to Live in the United States?

Your relative must go through several steps to become a legal permanent resident.

• First, the INS must approve an alien relative petition (Form -130) that you file for your relative.
• Second, The U.S. State Department must give your relative an immigrant visa number, if needed.
• Third, if your relative is overseas, he/she applies for an immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate once an immigrant visa number is available (if needed). If your relative is in the United States and entered legally, your relative may be eligible to apply to adjust to legal permanent resident status at the local INS office if a visa number is needed and IS available.

What Is the Preference System for Granting Immigrant Visa Numbers?

Immigrant Visa Numbers are not necessary for the spouse, parent, or unmarried children (under 21 years old)of a U.S. Citizen. The rest of the relatives listed in this pamphlet require an immigrant visa number

US. law limits the number of immigrant visa numbers that are available every year. This means that even if the INS approves the Aiien Relative Petition, Form 1-130, that you file for your relative, your relative may not get an immigrant visa number immediately. In some cases, several years could pass between the time INS approves the petition and the State Department gives your relative an immigrant visa number. if they are in the United States, they cannot remain in the United States solely to await the immigrant visa number availability.

People who require visa numbers are divided into categories based on the preference system listed below. After INS approves the Form I-130. The relatives must wait for their visa number to become available according to the following preferences:

• First Preference: Unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Adult means 21 years of age or older.
• Second preference: Spouses of legal permanent residents and their unmarried sons and daughters (regardless of age).
• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, their spouses and their minor children. Minor means under the age of 21 and unmarried,
• Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, their spouses and their minor children.

How Can I Find out When an Immigrant Visa Number Will Be Available?

Each approved petition is placed in order according to the date your I-130 was filed. The date the I-130 was filed is known as your priority date. The State Department publishes a monthly bulletin that shows the month and year of the visa petitions they are working on by country and preference category. You can estimate the amount of time it will take to get an immigrant visa number by comparing your relatives priority date with the date listed in the bulletin. You may access the State Department Visa Bulletin at their web site at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa_bulletin.html or you
may call them at (202) 663-1541 to learn which priority dates are currently being processed.

What Form Should I Use to File an Immigrant Petition For My Relative?

You should petition for a relative on INS Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

What is the Fee?

You must submit a $110 filing fee.

Where Do I Get an INS Form 1-130?

By telephone at 1-800-870-3676
The INS web side: www.ins.usdoj.gov
At the local INS office

What Other Documents are Needed?

Please carefully read the instructions on the form. In general, you will need to give INS:
Proof that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Documents that prove your relationship to your relative.

Where Do I submit the Form 1-130?

If your relative is not in the United States or is not eligible to file for permanent resident status, the form and all supporting documents must be mailed to the address listed on the petition's instruction sheet.

Under certain circumstances, a person may be eligible to file for permanent residence in the United States. Form I-485 is an application to adjust status in the United States. Please read the instructions on that form for eligibility requirements
If you plan to visit the INS Denver District Office, please note our public office hours are:

7:30am - 2:30pm Monday through Thursday

The office is closed to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays.

Our office Is extremely busy so be prepared to wait several hours for assistance.

When you enter the INS building, you will be asked to pass through a security metal detector. Do not bring anything with you that could be construed as a weapon.

When visiting the INS, always be sure to bring a photo ID with you and copies of any INS receipts and notices that are pertinent to your case. This allows us to access your file and information quickly and efficiently.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Ask Immigration
1-800-375-5283

INS Forms Line
1-800-870-3676

Lincoln Service Center
1-402-323-7830

State Department Visa Bulletin
1-202-663-1541

U. S. Passport Agency
1-206-220-7788

INS Web Site
www.ins.usdoj.gov

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