Green Card through Relatives (Family Immigration)
Obtaining
a Green Card through Relatives is one option for individuals who have
close relatives or family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent
residents. Family members will be eligible to apply for a permanent
residence (Green Card) if the sponsoring relative is a United States
citizen by birth, derived citizenship or through naturalization. The
family member who will sponsor you for a Green Card can be your
immediate relative or preference relative. The term immediate relative
applies to relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, parents, and
children under 21 years of age. The term preference relative applies to
certain other relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Preference relatives include married and unmarried sons or daughters
(over 21 years) of U.S. citizens; brothers and/or sisters of U.S.
citizens. Also included as preference relatives are spouses, minor
children, and unmarried sons or daughters (over 21 years) of U.S.
permanent residents. Preference relatives cannot obtain permanent
residence until their priority dates are current.
Immediate
relatives do not face waiting times for visa availability. Immediate
relatives in the United States may qualify to file Form I-485 to adjust
status. Preference relatives often face very long waiting times due to
strict annual limits on permanent immigration benefits. The length of
the wait depends upon which family preference category is appropriate as
well as the country of origin.
Immediate Relatives: No waiting time for visa availability
- Husband or wife – through marriage
- Parent – Father and/or Mother
- Children – Son or Daughter under 21 years of age
- Children – Son or Daughter (including children born out of wedlock)
- Step-son or Step-Daughter under 21 years of age
- Husband or Wife of Permanent Residents
- Children – Sons or Daughters under or over 21 years of age and unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
- Children – married and unmarried Sons and Daughters over the age of 21 years of U.S. citizens
- Brothers or Sisters (including half-brothers and half-sisters) of U.S. citizens
- Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen
- Brother or sister (including half-brothers and half-sisters)
- Son or daughter (including children born out of wed lock)
- Step-son or step-daughter
- Stepparent of a U.S. citizen child
- Adopted son or daughter
- Adopted parent
- Father or mother
- Battered or abused spouse or child