For the sake of keeping extended family members together, U.S. immigration law allows U.S. citizens to petition for other family members to come to the United States. Even if a relative does not meet the definition of an immediate relative, he or she may qualify for one of the other family-based preferences categories. It does not matter if the family member is living in the U.S. currently, or is still living overseas.

However, unlike the visas for immediate relatives, visas in the other family preference categories are limited and therefore, often become available only after a long wait. These are designed for more distant familial relationships and are outlined in more detail below.

Related form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Who is Eligible?

Even if your family member is not an immediate relative, they may qualify under one of the following categories for an immigrant visa:

• F1- Family First Preference includes unmarried adult (21-years or older) children (sons and daughters) of U.S. citizens
• F2- Family Second Preference. This category is reserved for family members of green card holders
• F3- Family Third Preference includes married children of U.S. citizens, their spouses, and minor children
• F4- Family Fourth Preference includes siblings (brothers and sisters) of U.S. citizens, their spouses, and minor children, if the U.S. citizen is 21-years or older

Aslo see Form I-485 here and Form I-131 here

Was your form I-130 already Approved?

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Becoming a US citizen entails specific rights, duties and following benefits: consular protection outside the United States; ability to sponsor relatives living abroad; ability to invest in US. real property without triggering additional taxes; transmitting US citizenship to children; protection from deportation and others. U.S. law permits multiple citizenship. A citizen of another country naturalized as a U.S. citizen may retain his previous citizenship