What are Family-Based Immigration Petitions?

One of the most beautiful parts of U.S. immigration law is its ability to bring families together. Whether you’re hoping to reunite with a spouse, bring your parents to the U.S., or help a sibling start a new chapter here. Understanding family-based immigration Petitions makes that possible through what are called relative petitions.

However, not all family relationships are treated the same under immigration law. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of relative petitions available and what you need to know before starting the process.

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you have the ability to petition for your “immediate relatives,” and the good news is—they don’t have to wait in line for a visa number! These petitions are not subject to annual quotas, which means faster processing.

Who qualifies as an “immediate relative”?

• Spouse of a U.S. citizen

• Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen

• Parent of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is 21 or older)

These cases are typically the fastest family-based options. Whether your loved one is inside or outside the U.S., we’ll help you determine if Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing is the right path.

Family Preference Categories

For other family relationships, U.S. immigration law uses a preference system, which assigns priority based on the closeness of the relationship and your status (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident). Refer to the Department of State Visa Bulletin to obtain the latest wait times. 

Here’s how it breaks down:

F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of U.S. Citizens

• These are adult children who are not married.

• Wait times can vary greatly depending on the applicant’s country of origin.

F2A – Spouses and Unmarried Children (under 21) of Lawful Permanent Residents

• Green card holders can petition for their spouse and minor children.

• This category often has shorter wait times than other preferences.

F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of Lawful Permanent Residents

• For older children of green card holders who are not married.

F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• Once your child gets married, they move into this category, which has a longer wait.

F4 – Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens

• This is the longest wait category, especially for countries like Mexico and the Philippines.