Family Immigration

Individuals who are family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders may be eligible to obtain US lawful permanent residency based on specific family relationships.

If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to become a U.S. lawful permanent resident based on the relationship to the U.S. citizen without being subject to certain numerical restrictions on immigration each year, which means that they can immigrate to the U.S. at any time without waiting for availability of the immigrant visa numbers. The immediate relatives to U.S. citizen refer to parents (if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old), spouse, and unmarried children under the age of 21.

However, other relatives to U.S. citizens or U.S. lawful permanent residents are subject to certain numerical restrictions on immigration each year. These other family members’ eligibility to apply for a Green Card is described in the following family “preference immigrant” categories:

• First preference (F1) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
• Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents;
• Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;
• Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
• Fourth preference (F4) - brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older).