[ Immigration ]

What about my relative's family?

In most cases, when your relative's place in line is reached and he/she applies to immigrate, his or her husband or wife and unmarried children under 21 can apply as dependents.

For example: You file a petition for your sister. You cannot directly petition for her husband and children. However, they can apply for immigrant visas with her, when her place in line is reached.

On the other hand, a separate petition must be filed on behalf of each person who qualifies as your direct relative, including your children.

For example: To sponsor your mother and father, file a separate petition for each. If they have other children—your brothers and sisters—also file separate petitions for each of them.

For example: You marry a woman with a child. The child will usually qualify as your stepchild if he/she was unmarried and less than 18 when you married the mother. In that case, you would need to file one petition for your wife, and another for the child.

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services