Uniting Families: How to Sponsor Your Loved Ones to the U.S.

September 23, 2025

Family means everything. That feeling of sitting around the same table, sharing meals, stories, and life, that’s what makes a house a home. For many of us here in Texas, that dream includes reuniting with family members who live outside the U.S.

Attorney Wogwu understands that while the goal is simple, the process itself has to be handled carefully. Between proving family relationships and meeting financial guidelines, each step matters.

This newsletter offers a simple and clear look into how family sponsorship works and what you should expect.

The Two Main Paths to Sponsoring a Relative

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

This is the faster option.

Who qualifies

  • Spouse of a U.S. citizen
  • Unmarried children under 21
  • Parents (if the U.S. citizen is 21 or older)

Why it moves quicker
 There are no yearly limits on visas for this group, which means your petition doesn’t get held up by a long line.

Family Preference Categories

This applies to other types of relatives. These categories have yearly visa caps, and the wait depends on your family member’s category and home country.

For U.S. citizens

  • F1: Unmarried adult children (21 or older)
  • F3: Married sons and daughters
  • F4: Brothers and sisters

For green card holders

  • F2A: Spouse and minor children
  • F2B: Unmarried adult sons and daughters

What to Expect: The Key Phases of Family Sponsorship

  1. Form I-130
     Start by showing the family relationship. This is the first official step.
  2. Form I-864
     Prove that you have the financial ability to support your relative.
    • Your income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty level
    • For a family of four in Texas in 2025, that’s usually around $37,500
  3. Case Processing
    • If your family member is abroad: They go through consular processing at the U.S. embassy
    • If already in the U.S.: They may apply for a green card here without leaving
  4. Final Stage
     Includes a medical exam, background checks, and the interview

Patience and Preparation: Timelines and Common Issues

Wait Times

  • Immediate relatives: Several months to a year
    Preference categories: Often several years depending on demand and location

Common Issues

  • Mistakes on forms
  • Missing or weak documents
  • Financial limits not met
  • Language or communication struggles during interviews

Your San Antonio and Texas Immigration Ally

Attorney Wogwu at Wogwu Law, PLLC helps families across Texas avoid delays and problems with their filings. From Form I-130 to preparing for interviews, our firm is committed to getting it done right.

Real Story
 A family here in San Antonio came to us hoping to bring their parents over. We reviewed their documents, fixed the Affidavit of Support, and helped prepare for the interview. Today, that family is reunited in Texas.

Ready to Start Your Family’s U.S. Process?

If you’re thinking about bringing your family to the U.S., attorney Wogwu is here to help make the process smoother. Handling government forms, income requirements, and long wait times can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. With the right support, families have a better chance of staying on track and avoiding delays. If you’re ready to start your case or just want to understand what steps come next, reach out to Wogwu Law, PLLC. Call us at 210-864-5214 or send a message through our contact page: https://wogwulaw.com/contact/.