A family-based visa allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor certain family members for immigration to the United States. Immediate relatives (such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21) have priority, while other relatives may qualify under the family preference categories.
The processing time for a family-based green card depends on the applicant’s relationship to the sponsor and their immigration category. Immediate relatives may receive approval in 6–12 months, while family preference categories can take several years due to annual visa limits and backlogs.
Yes. U.S. citizens over the age of 21 can file a petition to sponsor their parents. Siblings can also be sponsored, but only by U.S. citizens — not green card holders — and wait times are generally longer.
Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens) have visas available without annual limits. Family preference categories include siblings, adult children, and relatives of green card holders, and are subject to annual visa caps, causing longer wait times.
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