Family-Based Green Cards
Complete guide to family-based immigration and green cards. Sponsor your parents, children, siblings, and relatives for permanent residence in the United States.
Family-Based Immigration Overview
What is Family-Based Immigration? Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members for green cards (permanent residence) in the United States. This system prioritizes family unity and represents the largest category of lawful immigration to the U.S.
Two Main Categories: Family immigration is divided into immediate relatives (no numerical limits) and family preference categories (subject to annual numerical limits and waiting periods). The process involves filing Form I-130, Immigrant Petition for Alien Relative.
Immediate Relatives (Unlimited): U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents (if the citizen is 21 or older) without numerical limitations or waiting periods beyond processing time.
Family Preference Categories (Limited): Both citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain relatives, but these categories have annual limits and often significant waiting periods based on country of birth and preference category.
👨👩👧👦 Family Immigration Categories
Immediate Relatives
No Limits • No WaitU.S. citizens only can sponsor immediate family members with no numerical limitations or waiting periods.
- Spouse of U.S. citizen
- Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizen
- Parents of U.S. citizen (citizen must be 21+)
- No annual quota limitations
- Fastest family-based option
Family First Preference (F1)
Citizens Only • Wait RequiredUnmarried adult children (21+) of U.S. citizens. Currently has waiting periods for most countries.
- Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Must be 21 years or older
- Annual limit: ~23,400 visas
- Current wait: 7-22+ years (varies by country)
- Includes their unmarried children
Family Second Preference (F2)
Green Card Holders • Two Sub-CategoriesSpouses and children of lawful permanent residents, divided into two sub-categories.
- F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21
- F2B: Unmarried adult children (21+) of LPRs
- Annual limit: ~114,200 visas total
- F2A: 2-3+ years wait • F2B: 7-15+ years
- Most common permanent resident sponsorship
Family Third Preference (F3)
Citizens Only • Long WaitsMarried children of U.S. citizens and their spouses and unmarried children.
- Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Includes their spouses and unmarried children
- Annual limit: ~23,400 visas
- Current wait: 12-22+ years (varies by country)
- Often the longest wait times
Family Fourth Preference (F4)
Citizens Only • Longest WaitsBrothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (citizen must be 21+) and their families.
- Siblings of U.S. citizens (citizen must be 21+)
- Includes sibling’s spouse and unmarried children
- Annual limit: ~65,000 visas
- Current wait: 13-24+ years (varies by country)
- Lowest priority family category
📅 Priority Dates & Wait Times
Priority Date: The date USCIS receives your complete I-130 petition. This date determines your place in line for a green card in the preference categories.
Visa Bulletin: Published monthly by the State Department, showing which priority dates are current and can proceed with green card applications. You must wait until your priority date becomes “current.”
Country-Specific Limits: No country can receive more than 7% of family-based green cards annually, creating longer waits for high-demand countries like Mexico, India, China, and Philippines.
Mexico/Philippines: 22+ years
Mexico: 3+ years
Mexico/Philippines: 15+ years
Philippines: 22+ years
Philippines: 24+ years
8-33 months total
📋 Family Immigration Requirements
Sponsor Requirements
- Must be U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Must be at least 18 years old (21 for parents)
- Must have domicile in the United States
- Must meet financial support requirements
Relationship Requirements
- Must prove qualifying family relationship
- Valid birth certificates, marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees if previously married
- Adoption papers for adopted children
Financial Requirements
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support required
- Income must be 125% above poverty guidelines
- Joint sponsor if income insufficient
- Assets can substitute for income shortfall
Beneficiary Requirements
- Must be admissible to the United States
- Must pass medical examination
- Must have clean criminal background
- Must attend consular interview or adjustment
📅 Family Immigration Process
File Form I-130
U.S. citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, Immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS to establish qualifying relationship.
Processing: 8-33 monthsPriority Date Assignment
USCIS assigns priority date (receipt date) and approves petition. For preference categories, beneficiary waits for priority date to become current.
Wait: Varies by categoryNational Visa Center
After approval, case transfers to NVC for document collection, fee payment, and interview scheduling (consular processing route).
Processing: 2-12 monthsAdjustment or Interview
Beneficiary either adjusts status in U.S. (if eligible) or attends consular interview at U.S. embassy/consulate abroad.
Processing: 8-24 monthsGreen Card Approval
If approved, beneficiary receives immigrant visa (consular) or green card (adjustment), becoming a lawful permanent resident.
Card arrival: 2-4 weeksPermanent Residence
Beneficiary lives as permanent resident, eligible for citizenship after 5 years (3 years if spouse of citizen).
Citizenship eligible after 3-5 years⚖️ Family Categories Comparison
| Category | Sponsor | Beneficiary | Annual Limit | Typical Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relatives | U.S. citizens only | Spouse, children <21, parents | No limit | 8-33 months processing |
| F1 | U.S. citizens only | Unmarried adult children | 23,400 | 7-22+ years |
| F2A | Permanent residents | Spouse, children <21 | 87,900 | 2-3+ years |
| F2B | Permanent residents | Unmarried adult children | 26,300 | 7-15+ years |
| F3 | U.S. citizens only | Married adult children | 23,400 | 12-22+ years |
| F4 | U.S. citizens only | Brothers and sisters | 65,000 | 13-24+ years |
💡 Strategic Family Immigration Planning
Family immigration requires long-term planning due to significant waiting periods for preference categories. Consider filing I-130 petitions as early as possible, as priority dates are based on filing date. For families with multiple eligible sponsors, compare wait times and choose the fastest path. Remember that changing family circumstances (marriage, divorce, aging out) can affect eligibility and category classification.
💡 Family Immigration Success Tips
🏛️ Official Government Resources
👨👩👧👦 Start Your Family Immigration Journey
Ready to bring your family members to the United States? Use our comprehensive resources to understand the process and plan your family reunification strategy.