Family Based "Green Card"

Having lawful permanent residence enables you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.

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Family Based: Permanent Residence "Green Card"

What is a Family Based "Green Card"?

  • Complete Details

    U.S. immigration law allows certain aliens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships. If you are the spouse, minor child or parent of a U.S. citizen, please see the Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen page for information on how to apply for a Green Card.


    Other family members eligible to apply for a Green Card are described in the following family “preference immigrant” categories:


    • First preference (F1) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
    • Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents;
    • Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;
    • Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
    • Fourth preference (F4) - brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older).
  • Am I eligible?

    If you are currently in the United States, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Green Card as a family preference immigrant:


    • You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
    • You were inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States;
    • You are physically present in the United States at the time you file your Form I-485
    • You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
    • An immigrant visa is immediately available to you at the time you file your Form I-485 and at the time we make a final decision on your application (For information on visa availability, see Visa Availability and Priority Dates, Adjustment of Status Filing Charts, and the Department of State website to view the Visa Bulletin);
    • The relationship to the family member who filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for you still exists;
    • None of the applicable bars to adjustment of status apply to you;
    • You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief; and
    • You merit the favorable exercise of our discretion (this means the positive factors in your case outweigh the negative factors).

Does my

situation qualify?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got a question? We’re here to help.
  • How do I qualify for a "Green Card"

    You may qualify for a family-based “green card” if you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, such as a parent, child, or spouse, you are the adult child of a U.S. citizen, you are the spouse or unmarried child of a lawful permanent resident, you are the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen, or if you are being adopted by a U.S. citizen, and are under 16 years of age.

How do I get started with my case?

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