How Family-Based Immigration Works
Under the INA:
- Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens 21 or older) are not subject to annual numerical limits (U.S. Code)
- Family preference categories include adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens and certain relatives of lawful permanent residents, subject to worldwide and per-country caps (U.S. Code)
Family immigration may involve filing petitions with USCIS, undergoing consular processing abroad, or adjusting status in the United States.






