Green Cards for Siblings and Adult Children: Understanding Preference Categories

Introduction

While immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can immigrate without waiting for a visa number, other family members such as siblings and adult children must navigate the Family Preference system. This system allocates a limited number of immigrant visas each year across four preference categories, often resulting in multi-year or even decade-long waits.

The Four Family Preference Categories

F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens. F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of Lawful Permanent Residents. F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of LPRs. F3 (Third Preference): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21 or older).

How the Visa Bulletin Works

Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows the priority date cutoff for each preference category and country. Your priority date is the date USCIS received your I-130 petition. Once your priority date is earlier than the cutoff date in the Visa Bulletin, a visa number is available and you can proceed with your application.

Wait Times Can Be Decades Long

For some countries with high demand such as Mexico, the Philippines, India, and China, wait times for certain categories can be 20 years or more. For most other countries, waits range from several years to over a decade.

Filing the I-130 Early Is Critical

Because wait times are so long, it is important to file the I-130 petition as early as possible to lock in your priority date. Even if you know a visa will not be available for many years, establishing the priority date early is the most valuable thing you can do.

Conclusion

The Family Preference system requires patience, but understanding how it works allows you to plan ahead and take action early. Consulting an immigration attorney when you file the initial I-130 can help ensure the petition is error-free and your family member's place in line is secured.

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