Being away from your family is hard. Many immigrants in San Diego struggle with a tough question: which family member should you bring to the United States first? Do you choose your spouse, your parents who are getting older, or your children who miss you?
Most people wish they could bring everyone at once instead of picking just one person. Fortunately, understanding your options for multiple family petitions might eliminate the need to choose just one loved one to sponsor.
No legal limit on family petitions filed together
Here’s the good news: you can petition for as many qualifying family members as you want at the same time. There’s no limit on how many Form I-130 applications, the form used to petition for relatives, you can file at once.
Aside from their spouses, legitimate U.S. citizens can also petition for parents, children and siblings. Meanwhile, green card holders can also petition for their husband or wife and any unmarried children.
Each family member needs their own separate petition, even if you submit them all on the same day. Just remember, filing multiple petitions doesn’t mean everyone will get visas at the same time.
Meeting financial requirements for multiple petitions
While you can file many petitions, you have to show you have enough money to support each family member:
- Income requirement: At least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size, including all relatives you’re sponsoring
- Finding help: If you don’t earn enough, you can add a joint sponsor who meets the income requirements
- Separate forms: Individual Affidavit of Support form (I-864) for each relative
- Long-term responsibility: You remain financially responsible until your relative becomes a U.S. citizen or works for about 10 years
- Proving stability: You’ll need to show recent tax returns to prove your financial situation
These financial requirements get bigger with each additional relative you sponsor. This creates practical limits on how many family members you can successfully petition.
Planning your family reunification strategy
You can absolutely petition for multiple family members at once, but the immigration requirements and process remain strict.
Missing one requirement or making a single error can delay your family’s reunion by months or even years. With good planning and professional legal help, you can successfully bring your loved ones to join you in the United States.