Family-Based Immigration
U.S. Citizen's Qualified Relatives
Spouse of U.S. Citizen
U.S. citizen can sponsor green card for his or her spouse. Same gender marriage is recognized as long as the marriage is valid under the law where the marriage took place.
Child of U.S. Citizen
U.S. citizen can sponsor green card for his or her children of any age. Children includes biological, step and adopted children. If the sponsor is the father, the child must be born in wedlock or the child must be legitimate before 18 years of age or the father must prove father-child relationship before 21 years of age. If the sponsor is the step-parent, the marriage must be entered before 18 years of age. If the sponsor is the adoptive parent, the adoption must be completed before 16 years of age.
Parent of U.S. Citizen
U.S. citizen can sponsor green card for his or her parents. Parents includes biological, step and adopted parents. Similar as U.S. citizen's sponsorship for children.
Sibling of U.S. Citizen
U.S. citizen can sponsor green card for his or her sibling. Sibling includes full or half sibling with certain restrictions.
Fiancé(e) of U.S. Citizen
U.S. citizen can sponsor green card for his or her fiancé(e). In most cases, they must meet in person in the last two years preceding the filing the application.
Green Card Holder's Qualified Relatives
Spouse of Green Card Holder
Green Card Holder can sponsor green card for his or her spouse. They must wait for the availability of a visa number. Same gender marriage is recognized as long as the marriage is valid under the law where the marriage took place.
Unmarried Child of Green Card Holder
Green Card Holder can sponsor green card for his or her unmarried children. They must wait for the availability of a visa number. Children includes biological, step and adopted children. Similar as U.S. citizen's sponsorship for children.
Remove Conditions on Green Card
Marriage Green Card
If the marriage is less than two years when the marriage green card application gets approved, the green card is valid for two years only, that is, a conditional green card. They must file a petition to remove the conditions on the green card no early than 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card.