Family-based: overview, tools, and latest updates

Overview

Fiancé visas and family-sponsored immigration

The K-1 fiancé visa allows the foreign-national partner of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. to marry within 90 days. Separate family-based immigrant petitions cover spouses, parents, children, and siblings, with varying wait times by category.

The K-1 visa is issued by a consulate after USCIS approves an I-129F petition. Once in the U.S., you must marry your U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days and can then apply to adjust status to permanent residence.

Family-based immigrant visas are divided into "immediate relative" categories (no annual numerical limit, for spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of citizens) and preference categories (subject to annual caps, which can mean multi-year waits).

The monthly Visa Bulletin shows which priority dates are current for each family preference category and country of chargeability. You generally cannot file an I-485 adjustment until your date is current.

Activity · daily, last 90 days

5 indexed updates

Jun 21, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026 · 90 days

Policy climate · last 90 days

Tone of coverage

20% restrictive60% neutral20% favorable

Based on 5 indexed updates in the last 90 days

Visa types in this category

K-1 fiancéFiancé(e) visa allowing entry to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days; path to green card after marriage.Family green cardImmigrant visas for qualifying relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

High-signal items · last 90 days

What to watch

Ranked by impact: rule changes, fee updates, open comment periods, executive actions, and processing shifts. Not just newest: most consequential.

Published Fed. Register
Open for comments
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
USCIS is extending the form used to petition for qualifying family members of U-1 nonimmigrants (victims of human trafficking who are cooperating with law enforcement). No changes are being made to the form itself. The agency is requesting public comments on the paperwork…
Public comments accepted through .
Published Fed. Register
Open for comments
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Family Unity Benefits
USCIS is extending the currently approved application form for Family Unity Benefits without substantive changes. The agency is inviting public comments on the information collection's scope, respondent categories, and administrative burden. This is a routine Paperwork Reduction…
Public comments accepted through .
Published Fed. Register
Open for comments
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Employment Authorization for Abused Nonimmigrant Spouse
USCIS is extending the approved form for employment authorization applications filed by abused nonimmigrant spouses without changes to the application itself. The agency is soliciting public feedback on information collection procedures and respondent burden. This renewal is…
Public comments accepted through .
Published Fed. Register
Open for comments
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application Under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
The State Department is seeking public comments on its information collection form for applications under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. This form is used by parents and guardians seeking to recover children wrongfully removed to or retained in foreign…
Public comments accepted through .
Published Fed. Register
Open for comments
Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Petition for Alien Relative
USCIS is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Petition for Alien Relative form (I-130), which is used to sponsor family members for immigration. The agency is revising how it collects information from petitioners under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a routine…
Public comments accepted through .
Published USCIS
Update
Illegal Alien Indicted in Marriage-Related Immigration Fraud
A Peruvian national illegally present in the U.S. has been indicted for marriage-related immigration fraud following an investigation involving USCIS. The indictment signals continued enforcement against fraudulent immigration petitions, particularly those involving spousal…
Published USCIS
Update
Aunt and U.S. Airman Nephew Arrested in Immigration Fraud Scheme
A U.S. Airman and his aunt were arrested for allegedly falsifying their relationship to obtain immigration benefits. The scheme involved lying about family connections to secure visa or green card status. This case highlights enforcement actions against immigration fraud.…
Published USCIS
Update
USCIS Plays Key Role in Takedown of Decade-Long Marriage Fraud Ring
USCIS helped expose a marriage fraud ring that orchestrated over 1,000 fake marriages across more than a decade. Eleven people have been indicted for participating in the scheme. This takedown demonstrates immigration authorities' efforts to combat fraud in family-based…

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Full update feed

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