Immigrant Visas

Immediate Relatives

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are eligible to qualify for immigration in the Immediate Relative category. These categories are:

1. Spouse or Minor Child of a U.S. Citizen: An immigrant visa may only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship.

    

2. Parent of a U.S. citizen: U.S. citizen must be 21 or over.

    

3. Fully Adopted Minor or Minor in the Process of Adoption

    

4. Step-parent or step-child of a U.S. citizen: Step-parent, step-child relationship must occur before the child’s 18^th birthday.

    

5. Spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen: Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. citizen.

    

For more general information on these categories please visit our Family Based Immigrants page or go to travel.state.gov's Family Based Immigrants page.