Eligibility for Family-Based Green Cards

General Eligibility for Family-Based Green Cards
Parents, Spouses and Children of U.S. citizens
Children and Siblings of U.S. citizens
Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents

General Eligibility for Family-Based Green Cards

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may request visas for their close family members to immigrate to the United States. The family members eligible for immigrant visas include spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

Families of U.S. citizens and permanent residents are divided into different preference categories for immigration. Each of these categories have slightly different rules.

Family members of U.S. citizens are assigned the following categories:

Immediate Relatives: Parents, spouses, and unmarried children under 21 years old;
First Preference: Unmarried children over 21 years old;
Third Preference: Married children;
Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters;

Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents are assigned the following categories:

2A Preference: Spouses and unmarried, minor children;
2B Preference: Unmarried children over 21 years old.

Parents, Spouses and Children of U.S. citizens

An “immediate relative” is a parent, spouse or unmarried child under 21 years old of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can come to the United States as permanent residents without numerical restrictions. (Other family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents are subject to quotas on the number of immigrants allowed each year.)

For more information, see specific immigration information for:

Children and Siblings of U.S. citizens

Children, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens also qualify to immigrate to the United States. The number of immigrant visas available to these family members is limited. The visa categories are divided into several “Preference” categories. Generally, higher preference categories are eligible to receive a green card more quickly. The State Department’s Visa Bulletin can provide an estimate of the time necessary before a visa becomes available. See further information for each family relationship:

First preference: Unmarried Children over 21 year of age of U.S. Citizens

Third preference: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

Fourth preference: Brothers or Sisters of U.S. Citizens

Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents

Spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents can also apply for a green card. These family members of permanent residents qualify under the Second Preference category. Find out more information about immigration options for spouses or children of U.S. permanent residents:

Second preference: Immigration Information for Spouses or Children of Permanent Residents