US Immigration Visas : Immigrant Visas

Family Based

To obtain a family based green card, you must have a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Family-based immigrants to the United States are divided into two categories:

I) Those who may obtain permanent residence status without numerical limitation (the spouse, widow(er) and minor unmarried children of a United States citizen, the parents of a United States citizen who is 21 or older, and previous green card holders who have been outside of the U.S. for more than a year), and

II) Those subject to an annual limitation. These immigrants are granted visas on a preference basis meaning that there is a waiting period. First Preference: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and children, if any. Second Preference: Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent resident aliens. Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children. Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizens are over 20. Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. can only file petitions for spouses and their children and unmarried sons and daughters.