Green Card Holders Can Only Sponsor Two Relatives

The US government has clarified that Green Card holders, officially known as Lawful Permanent Residents, can sponsor only two categories of relatives for an immigrant visa that leads to permanent residency in the United States. According to the US Department of State's guidance on family-based immigration, a foreign citizen wishing to live permanently in the US must obtain an immigrant visa, requiring a sponsor who is at least 21 years old and holds either US citizenship or a Green Card.

Green Card holders specifically can only petition for two groups of relatives, which excludes siblings, parents, or married children—options available to US citizens. This distinction is crucial for many immigrants navigating the American immigration system, as a foreign relative without an eligible sponsor cannot initiate the immigrant visa process.

Understanding these sponsorship rights is essential for Nigerians and other Africans who have secured permanent residency in the US.