The U.S. family-based immigration system allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor certain family members for lawful permanent residency (a green card).

There are two categories of family sponsorship:

• Immediate Relatives (No Visa Wait Time) – Only for U.S. Citizens
  – Spouse
  – Unmarried children under 21
  – Parents (if the petitioner is 21 or older)
• Family Preference Categories (Visa Bulletin Applies)
  – F1: Unmarried adult children (21+) of U.S. citizens
  – F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of green card holders
  – F2B: Unmarried adult children (21+) of green card holders
  – F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
  – F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the petitioner is 21 or older)

If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor:
✅ Spouse (CR1/IR1 visa for married couples, K-1 fiancé(e) visa if engaged)
✅ Children (under 21 – immediate relatives, over 21 – F1 preference category)
✅ Parents (only if the petitioner is 21 or older)
✅ Siblings (F4 preference category, long wait time)

Steps for U.S. Citizens Sponsoring a Family Member

1. File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
– This establishes a valid family relationship.
2. Wait for USCIS Approval & NVC Processing
– If your relative is an immediate relative, there is no wait for visa availability.
– If under the family preference category, your relative must wait for a visa to become available based on the Visa Bulletin.
3. Choose the Process:
– If the relative is outside the U.S. → Consular Processing (immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate)
– If the relative is in the U.S. → Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) if eligible
4. Attend the Visa Interview (for consular cases)
5. Receive the Green Card – If approved, the relative enters the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.

📌 Processing Time:

Immediate relatives: 12–18 months
Family preference categories: Varies based on Visa Bulletin (can be several years)

If you are a green card holder, you can sponsor:
✅ Spouse (F2A category – has visa wait time)
✅ Unmarried children under 21 (F2A category – has visa wait time)
✅ Unmarried adult children (21+) (F2B category – longer wait time)

⛔ Green card holders CANNOT sponsor:

Parents
Married children
Siblings

Steps for Green Card Holders Sponsoring a Family Member

1. File Form I-130 for your spouse or unmarried children.
2. Wait for Visa Availability
– Unlike U.S. citizens, green card holders must wait for a visa under the F2A or F2B categories.
– Check the Visa Bulletin monthly for updates.
3. Process the Green Card Application
– If the family member is outside the U.S., they apply through Consular Processing.
– If they are inside the U.S., they may be eligible for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) once the visa is available.
4. Attend the Interview & Obtain the Green Card

📌 Processing Time:

Spouses & minor children (F2A) – ~24–36 months
Unmarried adult children (F2B) – 5+ years (varies by country)

💡 Tip: If you are a green card holder and eligible for U.S. citizenship, applying for naturalization (Form N-400) may speed up the sponsorship process, since U.S. citizens’ immediate relatives do not face visa wait times.

• U.S. citizens have a faster processing time because their spouses are considered immediate relatives, meaning no visa backlog.
• Green card holders must wait for visa availability under the F2A category, which is subject to annual limits.
• If your spouse is in the U.S., a U.S. citizen can file AOS immediately, while a green card holder may have to wait for visa availability before filing.