US family-based visas guide

The 5 most important things to know

• Adjustment of status (Form I-485) is for eligible applicants already inside the US; consular processing is for applicants abroad or those who cannot adjust. The wrong choice can trigger a 3-year or 10-year bar if unlawful presence or entry-history issues exist. See USCIS policy guidance.
• A K-1 visa holder must marry the US citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry. After marriage, file I-485 to adjust status. The K-1 does not permit employment until the EAD or green card is issued, and the beneficiary cannot adjust through a different petitioner without leaving.
• Form I-751 to remove conditions must be filed during the 90-day window before the 2-year conditional green card expires. Filing within this window extends conditional residence under the receipt rule. Late filings require a written explanation and USCIS discretion.
• The most common financial sponsorship mistake is using the wrong household size on Form I-864. The household size includes the sponsor, spouse, dependents, other sponsored persons, and the intending immigrant. Using too small a household size makes the income requirement appear met when it is not.
• DACA renewals are accepted and processed in 2026; initial requests are accepted but not processed due to ongoing litigation. File Forms I-821D, I-765, and I-765WS between 150 and 120 days before expiration to avoid a gap in work authorization.

Choose your path

Family-based immigration has several distinct routes. Pick the guide that matches your current situation. If you are already married to a US citizen or permanent resident, start with the marriage green card checklist. If you are engaged, the K-1 guide explains the 90-day rule and the AOS process. If you already hold a conditional green card, the I-751 guide covers the removal-of-conditions window and waiver categories.

All guides in this cluster

• Marriage green card checklist — I-130 petition, I-485 adjustment or consular processing, I-864 affidavit of support, medical exam, and interview preparation.
• Marriage green card document prep — organising the I-130 / I-485 or consular packet so eligibility evidence is easy to review, including bona fide marriage proof.
• Marriage Green Card Timeline by Center — which stage (petition, NVC, field office, interview, RFE) controls the wait, and why service-center comparisons can mislead.
• K-1 fiance visa document checklist — I-129F petition chain, NVC processing, consular interview, the 90-day marriage rule, and AOS filing after marriage.
• Conditional green card I-751 removal — filing in the 90-day window, receipt-rule extension, joint filing, and waivers for divorce, abuse, death, or hardship.
• AOS vs Consular Processing — choosing between adjustment of status and consular processing based on visa-bulletin availability, status history, travel needs, and risk tolerance.
• DACA renewal timeline 2026 — current court posture, Forms I-821D and I-765, online filing, fees, and EAD replacement traps.
• F-2 Visa for Spouses & Children — how spouses and children join or remain with an F-1 student in F-2 status, including dependent I-20s, work limits, and study rules.
• US Family Visa FAQ — attorney-reviewed answers on AOS vs consular processing, the K-1 90-day rule, I-751 timing, bona fide marriage evidence, and DACA renewal.

Common questions

The US Family Visa FAQ aggregates the most common questions from this cluster: should you choose adjustment of status or consular processing, what is the K-1 90-day rule, when should you file I-751, what documents best prove a bona fide marriage, and can you renew DACA in 2026. Read the FAQ first if you need a quick answer; use the articles above for depth.

If your situation involves a prior removal order, unlawful presence, or a criminal record, the FAQ will orient you but cannot replace individual legal advice. In those cases, the document checklist review is the safest first step because it flags inadmissibility risks before you file.

When to get help

Most family-based petitions are straightforward when the relationship evidence is strong and the financial sponsorship is clear. Complications arise when there are prior immigration violations, status gaps, or complex divorce histories. If any of those apply, get a document checklist review before filing. It is cheaper than an RFE or a denial.