Family members can get green cards for their relatives and sponsor their residency in the United States. However, there are different categories which family members are subjected to. The United States has severe limitations on the number of immigrant visas allowed each year for family members.

Family Sponsored Immigration

Immediate family members are given the highest priority. Parents, children under the age of 18, and spouses are usually approved immediately. Extended family members may qualify for an INS green card, but may be subjected to delays of months or years depending on their closeness in kinship to the U.S. resident or citizen.

The waiting period may last as long as 10 years for U.S. immigration visas for family members outside the immediate family. Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens over the age of 21 have the highest priority. The second highest priority is for spouses and children of permanent residents, i.e. aliens with green cards.

The third priority group is for unmarried children of permanent residents over the age of 21. The fourth priority is married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens over the age of 21. Lastly, the fifth priority for green card certification is for the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.