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Boston Family Immigration & Green Card Attorneys Helping You Bring Your Loved Ones to the U.S. with Confidence
Reuniting with your family in the United States is one of the most important steps you can take for your future—but the immigration process can be complex, time-consuming, and unforgiving of mistakes. Whether you are applying for a green card for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, family-based immigration requires strict eligibility, detailed documentation, and a well-prepared legal strategy. Even small errors or incomplete filings can lead to delays, requests for evidence, or denials.
At FitzGerald Law Company, our Boston family immigration and green card lawyers bring over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration system successfully. We carefully evaluate your situation, identify the strongest path to bring your loved ones to the United States, and prepare each petition with precision to meet USCIS requirements from the start. Our approach is proactive, strategic, and detail-driven—designed to position your case for success while minimizing unnecessary setbacks.
What truly sets our firm apart is our commitment to personalized, high-touch service combined with a multicultural approach. We proudly serve a diverse community, and more than 80% of our team is bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing us to communicate clearly and effectively with our clients. We take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and guide you through every stage of the process with responsiveness and care. You are never treated like a case number—you work directly with a dedicated legal team focused on your success.
Our goal is to help you successfully bring your loved ones to the United States through a clear, well-prepared, and efficient process. Whether you are starting a new petition or addressing challenges in an existing case, we are here to provide the trusted legal guidance your family needs—every step of the way.
Speak with a Boston Family Immigration & Green Card Lawyer Today
If you are ready to begin the process of bringing your loved ones to the United States—or need help with a pending case—our team is ready to assist you.
Schedule a consultation with FitzGerald Law Company today and get:
- A clear understanding of your immigration options
- A personalized legal strategy tailored to your case
- Guidance from a team with 30+ years of proven experience
- Support in English or Spanish from a responsive legal team
Contact us today to take the next step toward reuniting your family.
Call 617-303-2600 (ext. 0) to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family immigration lawyers, or complete our online appointment request.
What is a Family Residency / Green Card Process in the U.S.?
This is the process by which U.S. citizens and permanent residents can request that permanent residency be granted for their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, brothers and sisters), given they can demonstrate that they can financially support them in the U.S.
What Family Members are Eligible to Obtain U.S. Residency and How Long are the Estimated Wait Periods for a Green Card?
There are two categories of family immigration petitions: relatives of U.S. citizens and relatives of legal permanent residents:
U.S. Residency for Relatives of U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens may file family based immigration petitions for U.S. residency on behalf of the following family members:
Note: The processing times estimated here are for applications filed with USCIS and they are subject to change depending on the processing center handling your application. You may ask our Boston immigration attorneys to give you an up to date estimate at your consultation appointment (schedule your immigration legal consultation today!). Consular Processing may require additional waiting time and procedures.
- Residency for spouse of U.S. citizen: 1.5 to 5.5 years processing time (however, work permit and travel authorization is granted within 6-12 months from filing of the applications if eligible for adjustment of status in the U.S.);
- U.S. Green Card / Residency for parent of U.S. Citizen: 1.5 to 5.5 years processing time (however, work permit and travel authorization is granted within 6-12 months from filing of the applications if eligible for adjustment of status in the U.S.);
- Green Card for unmarried children of U.S. citizens under 21 years of age (including step children): 1.5 to 5.5 years processing time (however, work permit and travel authorization is granted within 6-12 months from filing for work authorization if eligible for adjustment of status in the U.S.). Children under 18 years old at the time the Legal Permanent Resident status is granted may be eligible for automatic U.S. citizenship.
- U.S. Residency / Green Card for children over 21 years of age of U.S. citizens (including step children): 4.3 to 11.2 years processing time for I-130 petition and an additional “waiting” period to apply for the Green Card as noted in the U.S. Visa Bulletin (generally 8-10 years from the date the I-130 petition is filed
- U.S. Residency / Green Card for married children of U.S. citizens (including step children): 4-15 years processing time for I-130 petition and an additional “waiting” period to apply for the Green Card as noted in the U.S. Visa Bulletin (generally 13-14 years from the date the I-130 petition is filed)
- U.S. Residency / Green Card for siblings (brothers and sisters) of U.S citizens: 6-13 years processing time for the I-130 petition and an additional “waiting” period to apply for the Green Card as noted in the U.S. Visa Bulletin (generally 17+ years from the date the I-130 petition is filed)
Residency (Green Card) for Relatives of U.S. Legal Permanent Residents
U.S. Legal Permanent Residents may file family based residency immigration petitions on behalf of the following family members:
Note: The processing times listed here apply to applications filed with USCIS and may vary depending on the service center handling your case. Our immigration attorneys can provide the most up-to-date timeline during your consultation appointment (schedule your consultation with one of our Boston Immigration Lawyers today!). Please note that Consular Processing may involve additional procedures and waiting periods.
- Green Card / U.S. Residency for spouse of U.S. citizen: 4.5 to 8.5 years processing time for I-130, and currently there is no additional “wait” period to apply for the Green Card, according to the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
- U.S. Residency / Green Card for unmarried child of U.S. resident under 21 (including step children): 4.5 to 8.5 years processing time for I-130, and currently there is no additional “wait” period to apply for the Green Card, according to the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
- Green Card / U.S. Residency unmarried child of U.S. resident over 21 (including step children): 4-13years processing time for the I-130 and 8-9 years “wait” time, to apply for the residency according to the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
**The estimated wait times are based on the dates published on the USCIS Processing Times page which are subject to change depending on the location and volume of cases handled by a particular U.S. Immigration Service center, and the December 2025 U.S. Visa Bulletin. U.S. Residency/Green Card Petitions for immigrants from certain countries, i.e. China, India, Mexico and the Philippines generally take longer than the estimated times above (see Visa Bulletin for those estimates). Our family immigration lawyers can help you to determine if you are eligible to apply for a U.S. Green Card for a family member and how long you can expect it to take. Call our office to schedule a consultation today at: 617-303-2600 (ext.0) or request one online.
What is the Duration of a Family U.S. Residency / Green Card?
Once a spouse’s legal permanent residency (Green Card) is approved, it remains valid as long as the person continues to live primarily in the United States and follows the requirements for maintaining permanent resident status.
Renewability of a Family Green Card
Your legal permanent resident status does not expire as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements listed in your original residency application. However, your physical green card, which serves as proof of your permanent residency, must be renewed every 10 years. It is best to apply for renewal about six months before the card’s expiration date.
Family Benefits of a U.S. Residency
The immediate family of the applicant may be eligible to obtain U.S. permanent residency with all its benefits, at the same time the applicant receives it. Permanent residency allows all family members to live, study and/or work legally in the U.S.
What is a Derivative Beneficiary?
A derivative beneficiary is a spouse or child of an individual who was named as the primary or main beneficiary of a visa application or residency petition, if the type of petition allows family members to be included. For example:
- My aunt who is a U.S. citizen filed a residency petition for my mother when I was under the age of 21; this means my mother’s spouse and I are derivative beneficiaries of that application.
- My father’s employer started a petition for my father when I was under the age of 21; this means my father’s wife and I are derivative beneficiaries of that petition.
- My mother married a U.S. citizen when I was under the age of 21 and I was named as her child in the petition, however, this type of residency petition does not allow me to be a derivative beneficiary. In this case, my stepfather is required to file a separate residency petition for me, if he wants to petition for my residency.
What Documentation do I Need to Apply for U.S. Residency for Family Members?
- Birth Certificates – Original (translated if necessary)
- Beneficiary (Alien)
- Citizen (Petitioner)
- Copy of original/certified Marriage Certificate (translated if necessary) [Marriage Certificate of Parents if it is a Parent/Child or Child/Parent petition]
- Copy of original/certified Divorce Certificate(s) (if applicable) (translated if necessary)
- Copy of Petitioner’s Federal Tax Return – Last Year and W-2’s, 1099 & schedule C’s from 2-3 years ago
- Joint Sponsor (if Petitioner does not meet income requirements)
- Copy of complete federal tax return withW-2’s from last year
- Copy of evidence of Citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident status
- Photographs
- 2 Passport-style photographs of the Petitioner
- 6 Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary
- Copy of Passport for Beneficiary
- Evidence of 245(i) Eligibility (if necessary)
- Copy of any court records for the Alien
- Copy of any prior applications or records related to immigration matters
- Copy of I-94 Form – If applicable
What is the Process to obtain a U.S. Residency Through a Family Member?
There are three different procedures depending upon the status of the petitioner, their relationship with the beneficiary and individual circumstances of the applicants. Navigating through each stage requires the skill and guidance of one of our experienced family immigration lawyers. Read more on the family Green Card / Residency process.
Important Additional Consideration for Family Green Card Petitions
For any person filing a family- based residency petition, it is important that both the petitioner and the beneficiary properly file tax returns with all income reported, the correct filing status (generally not “head of household”) and evidence to support any deductions.
Generally the family of the petitioner and beneficiary (all members of household) should not be receiving financial assistance (housing, WIC, FreeCare, heat/electricity/gas, daycare, food-stamps) and if they are or have been receiving benefits, to make sure that all income is reported on any benefit application.
What are the USCIS Filing Fees Needed?
You will need to pay the filing fees for forms (I-130), (I-485), (fingerprints), and if applicable, the penalty fee for (I-485A). Visit the U.S. Immigration and Citizen Services website to verify the fees as these change regularly.
What are the Legal Fees to Petition for U.S. Residency for a Family Member?
- Learn more about our fee structure
- Request an initial appointment with a family immigration lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts
Where Can I Get More Information on Green Cards for families of U.S. Citizens & Legal Permanent Residents?
- How to bring Spouses to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents
- How to bring Children, Sons and Daughters to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents
- The State Department visa Services on Family Based Immigrant Visas
- The USCIS on Family U.S. Residency or Green Card through family
- U.S. Legal Permanent Residency for an Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen
- U.S. Resident Status for a Family Member of a U.S. Citizen
- U.S. Green Card for a Family Member of a Legal Permanent Resident
- American Green Card Through Special Categories of Family
- Rights and Responsibilities of a U.S. Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)
- Permission to Return for Permanent Residents to Domicile (I-191)
- Classes of Aliens ineligible to receive U.S. visas
- American Embassies and Consulates
- Video on U.S. Residency for Step Children
- Newsletter on U.S. Green Card / Residency Petitions for family members and estimated wait periods (April 2014)
- Contact our experienced family immigration attorneys in Boston at FitzGerald Law Company to apply for U.S. Residency for your family
