{"id":352876,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:51","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/family-visa.html"},"modified":"2026-06-01T11:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T16:54:00","slug":"family-visa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/family-visa.html","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Visas for Family-Based Immigration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

U.S. Visas for Family-Based Immigration<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Family\u2011based immigration allows U.S. citizens<\/span> and lawful permanent residents<\/span> to sponsor certain relatives for green cards<\/span>, starting with a petition that proves the qualifying relationship. Immediate relatives<\/span> can immigrate without annual visa limits, while others fall into family preference categories<\/span> that come with longer wait times<\/span> and numerical caps.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Family ties greatly enrich the quality of life for many. U.S. immigration laws<\/span> acknowledge the importance of familial bonds and actively support family reunification<\/span>. With this, the country offers U.S. citizens<\/span> and lawful permanent residents<\/span> (LPR<\/span>) opportunities to reunite with family members<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This process is often referred to as family-based immigration<\/span>. Whether you are considering bringing your spouse, child, parent, or other relatives to the U.S., understanding the immigration process is essential. This article gives an overview of family-based <\/span>immigrant<\/span> visas<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Admissibility rules, documentation, and timing can be complex. An immigration attorney<\/a> near you can help you navigate the family-based immigration<\/span> process to reunite your family.<\/p>\n

The Family-Based Immigration<\/span> Process in the U.S.<\/h2>\n

Immediate relatives<\/span><\/a> (spouses and children under 21) experience the shortest waiting period. The law gives this category the quickest application review, and there is no limit on immigrant visas<\/span> in this category. They subject other relatives to waiting periods because they only allow a set number of visas for those categories each fiscal year<\/span>.<\/p>\n

There are almost always more visa applications<\/span> than actual visas. When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services<\/span> approves a family-based visa application<\/span>, a U.S. consular officer<\/a> issues the visa, allowing the family member<\/span> to travel to the United States.<\/p>\n

If you lose or destroy your birth certificate, the U.S. government<\/span> may request a genetic test to confirm a family relationship<\/span>. See the U.S. Department of State<\/span>\u2019s\u00a0DNA Relationship Testing Procedures<\/a>\u00a0for details.<\/p>\n

Which Family Members<\/span> Can Get a Green Card<\/span>?<\/h3>\n

In general, only immediate relatives<\/span> of <\/span>U.S. citizens<\/span> (born or naturalized) and lawful permanent residents<\/span><\/a> can bring family members<\/span> to the United States on an immigrant visa<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Under Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act<\/span>, citizens of the United States may act as a sponsor for their immediate relatives<\/span>. The following are considered immediate relatives<\/span>:<\/p>\n