Family-Based Immigration to the United States

Foreign citizens seeking permanent residence in the United States can be sponsored for an immigrant visa by an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (green-card holder), aged 21 or older.

A. Immediate Relatives: Immediate relative visas are based on close family relationships with U.S. citizens:

• Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• Unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen
• Parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 or older) These categories have no numerical limits, but individuals must prove their eligibility for entry.

B. Family Sponsored Preference Immigrants:

1. U.S. citizens can petition for immigrant visas for family members not covered by immediate relative categories:

1. Son or daughter over 21
2. Married son or daughter
3. Brother or sister

2. U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can only petition for their:

2. Spouse
3. Unmarried son or daughter Unlike immediate relatives, these relatives are subject to numerical limits based on their category and birth country. They must also prove eligibility for entry.

Family Sponsored Preference Categories:

• First (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Second (F2): Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

• (F2A): Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
  • (F2B): Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents

• Third (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Fourth (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01JAN15	01JAN15	01JAN15	22APR01	01MAR12
F2A	01JAN18	01JAN18	01JAN18	01SEP16	01JAN18
F2B	22SEP15	22SEP15	22SEP15	01AUG01	22OCT11
F3	08JAN09	08JAN09	08JAN09	15JAN98	08JUN02
F4	22APR07	22APR07	15SEP05	01AUG00	22AUG02