Many U.S. citizens and green card holders want to bring their family members to live happily together in the United States. The U.S. immigration system makes this possible through family-based immigration, and thousands of families are reunited every year. It’s more than just a process—it’s a pathway to new beginnings, stronger relationships, and a brighter future together. In this guide, we’ll explain the different options, who can apply, and how to complete the process step by step.
Types of Family-Based Immigration Categories
Family-based immigration falls into two main groups: immediate relatives and family preference categories.
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
Immediate relatives enjoy the fastest and most flexible path. There is no annual cap on visas for these relationships, which means they don’t have to wait for a visa number to become available. Immediate relatives include:
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen (IR1/CR1) – If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply to join your spouse in the United States and live together as a family.
- Children of U.S. citizens (IR2/CR2) – Unmarried children under 21 can be sponsored by their U.S. citizen parents to live in the United States.
- Parent of a U.S. citizen (IR5) – U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can bring their parents to the U.S. to be together as a family.
Because there are no numerical limits, these cases typically move more quickly once paperwork is properly filed.
Family Preference Categories
Other family members fall into preference categories, which do have yearly limits. This means wait times can be long — sometimes many years depending on the country of origin and visa demand.
The family preference groups are:
- F1: Unmarried adult children (21 or older) of U.S. citizens
- F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents
- F2B: Unmarried adult children (21 or older) of lawful permanent residents
- F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
- F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (sponsor must be 21+)
The U.S. government sets limits on how many visas are issued each year in each category, which creates backlogs. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the Department of State, shows which categories and countries are currently eligible.
General Process to get a Green Card through a Family Member
Your family member must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Your family member must prove that they are a permanent resident. They must also submit proof that they are related to you. Examples of proof include a birth certificate or a marriage certificate. After this, you must go through either consular processing or adjustment of status to receive a Green Card.
For more detailed Green Card process for a family member check out the articles Green Card for parents and Green Card for siblings.
How much does it cost to get a Green Card through a family member?
Form I-130 costs $535 to file. Form I-485 costs $1,140 to file, as well as an $85 biometrics exam fee if you are between the ages of 14 and 79 if taking the process of Adjustment Of Status. About $300 to $350 if getting a Green Card through consular processing. Hiring a lawyer costs money as well, and is an option you might want to consider. This means that the entire process could cost around $2,000 to $7,500.
See Also: The Total Cost To Obtain a Green Card
How long does it take to get a Green Card through a family member?
It can take as little as 6 months and as many as 10 years to get a Green Card through a family member. While it can take 6-12 months to receive a Green Card through an immediate family member, all other family based Green Cards can take years.
