A Lawful Permanent Resident may apply for a Green Card for the following persons:
The Family Member of a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) visa category plays a crucial role in the US immigration landscape. It offers an invaluable opportunity for qualified individuals who are closely related to a Green Card holder to begin a journey toward obtaining their own legal residency in the United States. Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21, are eligible to benefit from this category.
This particular visa pathway is a testament to the importance placed on family unity and the preservation of close relationships across international borders. It recognizes the importance of enabling families to remain together, even when separated by geographic limitations. By granting eligible family members the chance to join loved ones who are already lawful permanent residents in the US, this visa category fosters not only family ties but also a sense of belonging and security.
Through the Family Member of a Lawful Permanent Resident visa, the United States demonstrates its commitment to humanitarian values and recognition of the profound impact that family connections can have on people’s lives. By facilitating the immigration process for immediate family members, the United States extends its support to those seeking to build their future based on family unity, cultural exchange, and shared experiences.
Overall, the Family Member of a Lawful Permanent Resident visa category encapsulates the essence of inclusivity, compassion, and the celebration of family as a foundation for personal and societal growth. It represents a testament to the nation’s ethos of embracing diversity while honoring the bonds that unite families worldwide.
The page explains that the “Green Card by kinship” refers to obtaining U.S. permanent residence (a Green Card) through a qualifying family relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
A U.S. citizen (or in certain cases a lawful permanent resident) who has a qualifying family relationship to the foreign national can file the petition as sponsor.
The page indicates that immediate relatives such as parents of U.S. citizens, spouses, and unmarried children under age 21 are typical examples.
Yes — for “immediate relatives” of U.S. citizens there is no annual quota, but for family-preference categories there are limits and waiting times.
The sponsor must file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the family link and start the process.
If the beneficiary is inside the U.S., the process may involve “Adjustment of Status”; if outside the U.S., the case proceeds by consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
The processing time depends on the category (immediate relative vs. preference category), the country of origin, current visa backlog, accuracy/complete documentation and whether the beneficiary is inside or outside the U.S.
