Published: January 6, 2026
Do you have more than one eligible relative who can petition for your family-based green card? Multiple family members who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may sponsor your green card application if they qualify under defined family relationships.
Having more than one petitioner provides backups if one petition gets delayed or denied. However, you will ultimately proceed with the petition that has the earliest priority date or becomes current first, as determined by the monthly Visa Bulletin.
This post outlines the circumstances under which filing multiple petitions can benefit your case and the essential considerations to ensure compliance and approval.
When To Consider Multiple Immigrant Petitions
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) doesn’t impose a limit on the number of family sponsorship petitions a person may submit as long as each has a qualifying relationship with a US citizen or an LPR. In particular, filing multiple immigrant petitions may come in handy for one of the following circumstances:
- When a petition is denied, delayed, or subject to visa retrogression
- When one petitioner can no longer provide financial support for the relative
- When one visa category has a shorter waiting period or progresses more quickly in the Visa Bulletin
- When a petitioner passes away or chooses to withdraw their sponsorship
Essential Considerations for Multiple Immigrant Petitions
Although USCIS permits multiple petitions to be filed for the same immigrant, family-based immigration rules are complex and vary by individual circumstances. USCIS officers evaluate each application on its merits, specifically verifying the relationship and the sponsor’s ability to meet the financial requirements. Below are some other essential factors to consider.
- Separate filing fees and evidence to support each petition
- Approval of one petition does not automatically revoke or cancel
- Different priority dates and visa availability timelines
- Inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the petitions can result in further scrutiny
Leverage Multiple Family Petitions With ALG Lawyers
Family-based green card cases undergo stricter background checks and vetting. Although filing multiple family petitions is advantageous in specific situations, you must consult a reliable Los Angeles lawyer to identify which family relationship will help you acquire a green card the fastest and ensure the appropriate petitioner files on your behalf.
Leverage multiple family petitions with the assistance of ALG Lawyers. We will help strategize to increase your chances of approval with accurate, timely submissions. Contact our legal team today for a one-on-one consultation on your immigration concerns.
FAQs on Can Multiple US Family Members Petition for the Same Immigrant
Who qualifies to petition for a family-based immigration visa?
Only US citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) qualify to file a petition for a family-based immigration visa. However, the relatives they are eligible to sponsor vary depending on their status. US citizen petitioners may file on behalf of their immediate relatives without being subject to the annual limits. Meanwhile, LPRs are restricted to petitioning for their spouses, children under 21, and unmarried sons or daughters aged 21 or older.
Do you have to pay separate filing fees for each immigrant petition?
A US citizen must pay a separate filing fee for every immigrant petition they file for each immediate relative they sponsor. An LPR sponsoring multiple relatives is not required to do so for each relative who is eligible as a derivative.
Can you file immigration petitions concurrently with the AOS application?
Concurrent filing is only possible when the visa category you’re applying for is immediately available at the time of filing. Even if a visa is available at the time of filing, some categories won’t allow the petitioner to file concurrently unless there’s an approved petition. However, immediate relatives of US citizens are not subject to numerical limits. Therefore, they can apply for concurrent filing regardless of visa availability.
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)