BASED ON THE STATUS OF YOUR SPONSOR, THERE ARE SEVERAL VISA PREFERENCE CATEGORIES FOR THE ALLOTMENT OF IMMIGRANT FAMILY-BASED VISAS:​

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• Unlimited: Immediate relatives of US citizens do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number. Immediate relatives include the sponsor’s parents, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 years old.

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The categories with limited numbers of visa are:

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• First Preference: Unmarried adult (over 21 years old) sons and daughters of US citizens.

• Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and their unmarried sons and daughters of any age.

• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.

• Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.

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​Listed below are the types of relatives a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident can sponsor based on relationship.

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A US CITIZEN CAN SPONSOR THEIR:​

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• Spouse.

• Unmarried son/daughter of any age.

• Married son/daughter of any age.

• Parent/brother/sister, provided the sponsor is at least 21 years old or older.

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​A LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT CAN SPONSOR THEIR:​

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• Spouse.

• Unmarried son/daughter at any age.