Many immigration opportunities fall cleanly into one of two categories. Some people are eligible for employment-based visas. Others can secure visas and green cards due to family relationships.
There are also scenarios in which these two distinct categories intersect. When one person in a family obtains a work visa, their decision to relocate to the United States could affect everyone in their inner circle.
Can family members potentially qualify for a visa based on a loved one’s employment visa?
Immediate family members may have options
The most skilled and experienced professionals might decline immigration opportunities if they had to leave their families behind for years to work in the United States. Thankfully, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers visas to the immediate family members of those qualified to work in the United States.
Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 might be able to obtain visas related to a family member’s employment visa. These subordinate visas generally last for the same amount of time as the employment visa and are eligible for the same number of renewals.
Provided that everyone in the family passes the necessary background check and remains compliant with all immigration standards during their stay in the country, the entire family could enter the United States together and live together for as long as the visas are valid. In many cases, employment-based immigration can allow people to live in the United States for long enough to qualify for green cards.
Learning more about employment visas and the options for the family members of foreign workers can be helpful. Immigrants and their employers often need assistance navigating the visa application process and remaining compliant with all USCIS visa standards, and that’s okay. Seeking personalized legal guidance is always an option.