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Family immigration is divided into immediate relatives and
preference relatives. Immediate relatives include spouses,
children under age 21 and parents of U.S. citizens.
These individuals are immediately eligible for permanent
residence in the U.S., although the application process can
typically take time.
Immediate Relatives
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have the advantage of not
being restricted to quotas.
Approximately 250,000 immigrant visas are issued annually to
spouses, children (under 21) and parents of U.S. citizens.
The U.S. citizen must be over 21 to petition for a parent.
There is no waiting line (quota) for these immediate relative
visas. Individuals who qualify as immediate relatives:
Preference Relatives are divided into the following categories:
The preference relative category is limited by quotas, unlike the
immediate relative category. The four preferences of relatives
are as follows:
iv) Fourth Preference - sisters and brothers of U.S.
citizens, where the U.S. citizen is at least age 21.
Other family preference categories include sons and daughters
(over 21) of U.S. citizens, and brothers and sisters of U.S.
citizens. But those in line as siblings now may wait 15 to 20 years.
three or more years after filing the application for an available
visa, while unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of permanent
residents wait some five years or more.
These are the only family relationships which allow immigration to
the U.S. USCIS has very specific definitions of what constitutes
"children" (including step children and adopted children) and
"parents".
Family relationships are typically proven with birth certificates,
marriage certificates and other legal documentation.
The USCIS scrutinizes family relationships closely to ensure that
relationships were not entered into merely for the purpose of
obtaining immigration benefits.
preference relatives. Immediate relatives include spouses,
children under age 21 and parents of U.S. citizens.
These individuals are immediately eligible for permanent
residence in the U.S., although the application process can
typically take time.
Immediate Relatives
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have the advantage of not
being restricted to quotas.
Approximately 250,000 immigrant visas are issued annually to
spouses, children (under 21) and parents of U.S. citizens.
The U.S. citizen must be over 21 to petition for a parent.
There is no waiting line (quota) for these immediate relative
visas. Individuals who qualify as immediate relatives:
- i). Spouses of U.S. citizens
ii). Unmarried people under the age of 21 who have at
least one U.S. citizen parent
iii). Parents of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen child is
over the age of 21
Preference Relatives are divided into the following categories:
The preference relative category is limited by quotas, unlike the
immediate relative category. The four preferences of relatives
are as follows:
i) First preference - unmarried adult children of any age
with one parent a U.S. citizen.
ii) Second preference - spouses and children of U.S.
permanent residence.
- (2A): Spouses and children under 21 years old, of
- green card holders.
(2B): Unmarried sons and daughters of green
card holders who are at least 21 years old.
iv) Fourth Preference - sisters and brothers of U.S.
citizens, where the U.S. citizen is at least age 21.
Other family preference categories include sons and daughters
(over 21) of U.S. citizens, and brothers and sisters of U.S.
citizens. But those in line as siblings now may wait 15 to 20 years.
three or more years after filing the application for an available
visa, while unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of permanent
residents wait some five years or more.
These are the only family relationships which allow immigration to
the U.S. USCIS has very specific definitions of what constitutes
"children" (including step children and adopted children) and
"parents".
Family relationships are typically proven with birth certificates,
marriage certificates and other legal documentation.
The USCIS scrutinizes family relationships closely to ensure that
relationships were not entered into merely for the purpose of
obtaining immigration benefits.
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Family Based Immigration
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