US Defines Five Family Categories for Green Card Eligibility

The US government has outlined five categories of family members eligible to apply for a Green Card under the family preference immigrant program. Immediate relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, minor children, and parents, follow a separate application process.

The family preference categories include: 1) First preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 and older of US citizens; 2) Second preference (F2A): Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents; 3) Second preference (F2B): Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 and older of lawful permanent residents; 4) Third preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of US citizens; 5) Fourth preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of US citizens, provided the US citizen sponsor is at least 21 years old. Those already in the US can apply for lawful permanent resident status through "adjustment of status," allowing them to change their immigration status without leaving the country.