English » U.S. Visa Services » Immigration Visa - permanent residence permit "green card" » Relatives/Spouses of green card holders
Relatives/Spouses of green card holders
Not only U.S. citizens, but also green card holders (permanent residents) have the right to sponsor certain relatives for family-based immigration under U.S. law - to a very limited extent at least.
Green card holders may sponsor the following persons:
Spouses of green card holders
Persons who are married to a green card holder may immigrate into the U.S., provided they are legally married and the marriage is not just a sham to get a green card. Spouses qualify for the Second Preference category, more specifically into subcategory F2A. The result is an annual numerical limitation and long waiting times until the green card can be issued - currently ca. 3 years. (Visa Bulletin)
Unmarried children under 21 of green card holders
Within the annual numerical limitation of available visas, there is a significant difference between unmarried children under 21 and over 21. Children under 21 can usually immigrate a lot faster, because they qualify for the preference category F2A (Second Preference). However, even in this category waiting times for the green card are currently ca. 3 years. Under certain conditions, the same applies to adopted children or stepchildren.
Unmarried children over 21 of green card holders
Unfortunately, green card holders' unmarried children over 21 have to wait many years for their green cards. While they, too, qualify for the preference category F2, they are in subcategory F2B. Find the exact waiting times and numerical limitations in the monthly Visa Bulletin. At present, waiting times are ca. 8 years. Under certain conditions, the same applies to adopted children and stepchildren.
PLEASE NOTE:
Unfortunately, other relatives of green card holders, such as married children, parents, siblings, grandparents etc. cannot be sponsored for family-based immigration.
How does the application process work?
Special regulations for spouses of U.S. citizens?
Rights and obligations for green card holders?
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