Under U.S. immigration law, an immediate relative is a term used to refer to certain close family members of U.S. citizens who are eligible for immigration benefits. The following family members are considered immediate relatives:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under the age of 21 of US citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens, if the citizen is 21 years of age or older
Immediate relatives are not subject to annual numerical limitations on visas, which means that there is no waiting period for them to receive a visa once their Form I-130 Petition has been approved. This is in contrast to other family-based categories, such as siblings or adult children, which are subject to annual quotas and can involve lengthy wait times.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may be eligible for a Green Card (permanent residency) through a process known as adjustment of status if they are already in the U.S., or through consular processing if they are outside of the United States.
For more information, please contact us now at info@enterimmi.com and speak with a U.S. immigration attorney in Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila.
Copyright 2023. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline Immigration only.