Based on the status of your sponsor, there are several visa preference categories for the allotment of immigrant family-based visas:
- Unlimited: Immediate relatives of US citizens do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number. Immediate relatives include the sponsor’s parents, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 years old.
- First Preference: Unmarried adult (over 21 years old) sons and daughters of US citizens.
- Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and their unmarried sons and daughters of any age.
- Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.
- Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.
Listed below are the types of relatives a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident can sponsor based on relationship.
A US citizen can sponsor:
- His/her spouse
- An unmarried son/daughter of any age
- Married son/daughter of any age
- Parent/brother/sister, provided the sponsor is at least 21 years old or older
A lawful permanent resident can sponsor:
- His/her spouse
- An unmarried son/daughter at any age
