Family Preference Visas
Criteria for Eligibility
Please take note of the following information.
If you are a relative of a U.S. citizen and do not qualify as an immediate relative, you may still be able to apply for lawful permanent residency based on your familial relationship. According to Section 42.31 of 22 CFR, individuals who are eligible for family preference immigrant status include:
- First preference (F1) – unmarried sons and daughters who are 21 years old or older of U.S. citizens;
- Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children ( who are unmarried and under 21 years old ) of lawful permanent residents;
- Second preference (F2B) – unmarried sons and daughters who are 21 years old or older of lawful permanent residents;
- Third preference (F3) – married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
- Fourth preference (F4) – brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens ( if the U.S. citizen is 21 years old or older ).
To obtain lawful permanent residence, you must first file a Form I-130 with USCIS. This form should include proof of your U.S. citizen family member’s citizenship and your familial relationship. If you entered the United States lawfully, you may be able to file an application to adjust your status to lawful permanent residence concurrently with or after the approval of the Form I-130, provided that an immigrant visa is immediately available to you.
If you are outside the United States, once your Form I-130 is approved, you can proceed with Immigrant Visa processing through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, provided that an immigrant visa is immediately available to you. You can enter the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) upon approval of your immigrant visa.
For information on immigrant visa availability, please refer to the below website links:
