Second Preference

2A – Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 years old of lawful permanent residents

2B – Unmarried children age 21 years old and above of lawful permanent residents

Third Preference – Married children of US citizens

Fourth Preference – Brothers and sisters of US citizens, if such petitioner is at least 21 years of age.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of the principal beneficiaries of these family-based preference categories may be accorded the same status and order of consideration without filing a separate petition.

Family-based preference categories are subject to numerical limitations and may have to wait several years before an immigrant visa is available to them. Furthermore, certain changes in age and marital status of the principal applicant and their derivative beneficiaries may affect their eligibility to pursue an immigrant visa.