Timeline for parents and under-18 siblings?

[pm5k 127]

After obtaining US citizenship, it is my understanding that my wife can petition for her parents and siblings. It is a somewhat accepted reality that the processing time for siblings who are over the age of 18 is long (how long on average?)

How long, however, is the timeframe for parents? If one has siblings who are under 18, is their timeframe quicker than those over 18?

[Hypnos 6,576]

Parents would be classified as immediate relatives, and the process usually takes ~8 - 10 months, although being from Pakistan they could run into AP which may add on several months to the process.

Siblings of a US citizen are under the F4 preference, for which the current wait time is almost 11 years. It makes no difference how old they are, it's still 11 years.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Above is correct. One option some families take is to first petition for one parent only, let's say the dad. Dad then comes to the USA and right away petitions for his wife and minor children (waitingtime only 2-ish years, so shorter than a sibling petition).

[aleful 1,905]

After obtaining US citizenship, it is my understanding that my wife can petition for her parents and siblings. It is a somewhat accepted reality that the processing time for siblings who are over the age of 18 is long (how long on average?)

How long, however, is the timeframe for parents? If one has siblings who are under 18, is their timeframe quicker than those over 18?

ditto,

there is only one category for siblings, so it doesn't matter how old they are or if they are married or unmarried, the wait is the same for every sibling, no matter if they are 5 or 55, married or unmarried

parents are immediate relatives, siblings aren't

so it is best if you file for parents and they file for children under 21.

[pm5k 127]

So of my mother in law were to come to the states, she could file for her children, which would save time. Would she have to become a citizen to file, or could she file as a permanent resident?

[aleful 1,905]

So of my mother in law were to come to the states, she could file for her children, which would save time. Would she have to become a citizen to file, or could she file as a permanent resident?

as long as they are unmarried she can file for them. residents cannot file for married children

[pm5k 127]

as long as they are unmarried she can file for them. residents cannot file for married children

Permanent residents can petition for immediate relatives? They don't have to become citizens first? Is there a time requirement (be a permanent resident for a certain amount of time first)?

[Boiler 43,737]

No

[aleful 1,905]

Permanent residents can petition for immediate relatives? They don't have to become citizens first? Is there a time requirement (be a permanent resident for a certain amount of time first)?

they aren't considered immediate familiy. immediate family for immigration purposes are spouses, children under 21 and parents of a US Citizens

if they are under 21, they have almost 3 years of waiting, if the unmarried children are over 21 they have many years of waiting depending on what country they are from. from 8 to 25 years depending on the country of origin.

[Hypnos 6,576]

they aren't considered immediate familiy. immediate family for immigration purposes are spouses, children under 21 and parents of a US Citizens

And widow/ers.

[pm5k 127]

Above is correct. One option some families take is to first petition for one parent only, let's say the dad. Dad then comes to the USA and right away petitions for his wife and minor children (waitingtime only 2-ish years, so shorter than a sibling petition).

Once the parent receives a green card, must they actually reside in the US full time, or can they travel around the world as desired?

so it is best if you file for parents and they file for children under 21.

can one file for their siblings AND also have their PR parent file for the same people? (I know, it sounds silly, but I am trying to learn how these things work)

[Boiler 43,737]

Green Card = Legal permanent RESIDENT

More the better.

[aleful 1,905]

Once the parent receives a green card, must they actually reside in the US full time, or can they travel around the world as desired?

can one file for their siblings AND also have their PR parent file for the same people? (I know, it sounds silly, but I am trying to learn how these things work)

a person can have more than one petition at the same time

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

A legal permanent resident must reside in the USA. They can travel, but must show that they live in the USA. In general, they should spend more than half the year in the USA, have a home and bills here etc.

[pm5k 127]

Old thread, but I was revisiting this issue. Can one get a reentry permit while the F2A visa is in process?