Green Card for Spouse

U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs, or green card holders) can file petitions for certain family members and relatives. U.S. citizens can file petitions for the following relatives: spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Green card holders (LPRs) can file petitions for the following relatives: spouses and children.

There is no waiting period for visa eligibility for immediate family members (spouses, children under 21, and parents) of U.S. citizens. This category is referred to as immediate relatives.

For all other family petitions, there may be long waiting periods for visa availability due to strict annual limits on the number of green cards. The length of the waiting period depends on the family preference category and country of origin. This category is referred to as family preference.