Certain foreign nationals may apply for permanent residency (green card) in the United States based on their familial relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Generally, as an initial step in the green card process, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must file an immigrant visa petition, I-130, for the foreign relative. The foreign relative must then apply for permanent residence in the United States. The requirements relating to these petitions vary depending on the circumstances of each applicant.

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GREEN CARD

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An unlimited number of green cards may be granted yearly to the following classes of relatives of U.S. citizens:

 

• Spouses of U.S. citizens;

• Unmarried children under 21 years of age of U.S. citizens;

• Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizens;

• Orphans to be adopted in the U.S. by U.S. citizens; and

• Parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older

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