Other Qualifying Family Relationships for Permanent Resident

These relationships fall into various categories known as "preferences."  These preferences are subject to annual quotas.  Even if one can establish a relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, it may be years before an alien can gain permanent residence to the U.S.A. because of the backed-up quota system. 

Once a month the Department of State provides details through the Bureau of Consular Affairs of those people who are qualified to obtain permanent residence because there is a green card available for them in the quota system.

It is also important to note that there is a limit tothe number of green cards that are allocated to each foreign country, and for that reason, certain countries may be backed up further than other countries in the same preference category.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS QUALIFYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

FIRST PREFERENCE:

Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens--theseare children over the age of 21 years;

SECOND PREFERENCE:

Spouses and unmarried sons/daughters of permanent residence aliens;
This second preference category is divided into:

THIRD PREFERENCE:

Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens;

FOURTH PREFERENCE:

Brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens.