Moving to the United States is a big step—but it’s even harder when your loved ones aren’t with you. Thankfully, U.S. immigration law has a built-in way to help families stay together: it’s called “following to join.”
If you recently got your green card or were granted refugee or asylee status, your spouse and kids might be able to join you in the U.S. without starting the immigration process from scratch. This guide breaks down what following to join means, who qualifies, how the process works, and what documents you’ll need to apply.
What Is Following to Join in U.S. Immigration?
Following to join is an immigration option that allows certain family members—usually a spouse or unmarried children under 21—to join someone in the U.S. who’s already received lawful status.
Instead of filing a brand-new petition, eligible family members simply “follow to join” the original green card or refugee/asylee case.
This process is different from filing a family-based petition, which can take years, especially for countries with long visa backlogs. Following to join can be faster, as it uses the original immigrant’s application as the foundation.
There are two main situations where this applies:
- When a person gets a green card through employment or family-based immigration
- When someone is granted asylum or refugee status
This process is specifically beneficial as it saves time, avoids duplicate paperwork, and helps families reunite more quickly.
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Who Qualifies for Follow to Join?
To qualify for following to join, your family member must have been your spouse or child before you got your green card or were granted asylum/refugee status. Relationships formed afterward usually don’t count for this process.
Here’s who’s eligible:
- Spouses who were legally married to the principal applicant before they got their green card or protected status
- Children who were under 21 and unmarried at the time the petition was filed (with some children who turn 21 after filing still eligible under the Child Status Protection Act)
Different rules apply depending on the principal immigrant’s status:
- Green card holders: Spouses and children are eligible if the relationship existed when the principal applicant got their green card.
- Refugees/Asylees: Family members can follow to join if the petition (Form I-730) is filed within two years of the principal being granted refugee or asylee status, but USCIS may grant a waiver of the two-year deadline for humanitarian reasons.
It’s important to understand that following to join does not apply if:
- You married after your spouse became a permanent resident
- You’re over 21 years old (with some exceptions under the Child Status Protection Act)
- You’re any relative other than a spouse or child (parents, siblings, etc.)
- You’ve divorced the principal applicant
How Does Following to Join Work with Adjustment of Status?
If your family is already in the U.S. legally on another type of visa, they may be able to apply through following to join adjustment of status. This means they don’t need to leave the country to apply for a green card. They can simply adjust their status while staying here.
Here’s how that works:
- The principal applicant must still be in lawful status (green card holder or asylee/refugee)
- The family member files the proper forms (like Form I-485 for adjustment of status)
- Supporting documentation is required: proof of relationship, medical exams, and more
Compared to consular processing, adjustment of status can be more convenient and less stressful since it avoids travel and interviews at a U.S. embassy.
What Are the Requirements for a Following to Join Visa?
If you’re applying for a following to join immigrant visa from outside the U.S., you’ll need to satisfy these key requirements:
- Proof of relationship: Marriage certificates, birth certificates, photos, correspondence, and other evidence showing the relationship existed before the principal received their green card
- Financial support: An Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) from the principal immigrant showing they can financially support you
- Medical examination: Completed by a designated physician in your country
- Police clearances: From countries where you’ve lived for more than one year
For family-based immigration follow to join cases, you’ll also need to prove the relationship is genuine and not just arranged to evade immigration laws.
One important factor is the priority date—your family’s visa can only be issued once that date becomes current.
How Do You Apply for Following to Join Status?
The application process for following to join status involves several steps:
- For principal immigrants: Notify USCIS that you have eligible family members by filing Form I-824 (Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition) for most green card holders or Form I-730 (Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition) if you are a refugee or asylee
- Once approved: The case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will contact family members about next steps
- For family members: Complete Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) and submit supporting documents to the NVC
- Interview preparation: Gather original documents, medical exam results, and evidence of the relationship
- Consular interview: Attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country
In some cases, you might need to submit Form I-130A or supporting affidavits, especially if you’re applying under the following to join adjustment of status process.
Fees will vary based on the type of visa, and timelines depend on embassy backlogs and your original priority date. But once approved, your family can finally join you in the U.S.
When Can Family Members Follow to Join the Principal Applicant?
The timing of when family members can follow to join depends on several factors:
- Green card holders: Family members can apply as soon as the principal receives permanent residence, but processing times vary
- Refugees/Asylees: Family members must apply within two years of the principal being granted status (though extensions may be possible)
- Employment-based cases: The process can begin immediately after the principal’s approval but may be affected by visa bulletin availability
- Family-based cases: Following to join benefits are available for certain categories, but eligibility and timing depend on the visa category, priority date, and whether the family member qualified as a derivative at the time the principal became a permanent resident
To maintain eligibility during long waiting periods, it’s crucial to:
- Keep marriage relationships intact
- Ensure children remain unmarried and under 21 (with some CSPA exceptions)
- Maintain regular communication and documentation of the relationship
Final Thoughts
The following to join process is one of the most important—and often overlooked—ways for immigrant families to reunite. If your spouse or children meet the eligibility requirements, you might be closer to seeing them than you think.
However, timing matters. Paperwork matters. And having the right support can make all the difference. If you’re unsure about where to start or want answers to your immigration questions fast, head over to Immigration Questions. You can get free answers within hours and even connect with experienced immigration attorneys who can walk you through your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children over 21 qualify for following to join benefits?
Generally, no, but the Child Status Protection Act may protect some children who turn 21 during the process, allowing them to “freeze” their age and remain eligible.
Is following to join the same as consular processing?
No. Following to join is a benefit that allows certain family members to immigrate based on the principal applicant’s status. Consular processing is simply the method of applying for a visa from outside the U.S.
Can I use following to join if my spouse is already in the U.S.?
Yes, if your spouse is in the U.S. legally, they may be eligible for following to join adjustment of status rather than consular processing.
How long does the following to join process take?
Processing times vary widely by case type and country, ranging from 8-24 months, though some cases may be processed more quickly or take longer.
Is following to join available for all visa categories?
Following to join is available for certain employment-based and family-based categories, as well as for refugees and asylees, but is limited to spouses and unmarried children under 21 (with some exceptions under the Child Status Protection Act).
What happens if I get married after my spouse becomes a permanent resident?
If you marry after your spouse gets their green card, you don’t qualify for following to join. Instead, your spouse would need to file a new I-130 petition for you as the spouse of a permanent resident.
