Immediate Relatives of U.S Citizens
For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, visas are always available, which means that your family member does not need to wait in line for a visa. For more information on how your relative can apply to adjust status (i.e. get a green card) while he or she is in the United States, contact Meyer Law Group for a consultation.
“Immediate relative(s)” are defined as certain immigrant relatives of U.S. citizens. Immediate relatives include:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens.
- Children (unmarried and under 21) of U.S. citizens.
- Parents of U.S. citizens (The petitioning citizen must be 21 or older.).
Preference Categories: Other Relatives of U.S Citizens/Green Card Holders
Preference categories apply to family members who are not immediate relatives. The visas allotted for these categories are subject to annual numerical limits. A visa becomes available to a preference category based on the priority date (the date the Form I-130 was filed). Preference categories are grouped as follows:
- First preference: Unmarried, adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (adult means 21 or older).
- Second Preference (2A): Spouses of green card holders, unmarried children (under 21) of permanent residents.
- Second Preference (2B): Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents.
- Third Preference: Married sons and daughters (any age) of U.S. citizens.
- Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.