Immediate relatives of US citizens
Immigration category for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens, with unlimited visa availability and no statutory waiting backlog.
Who this pathway suits
Close family members of adult US citizens.
Eligibility at a glance
- Spouse of a US citizen (IR-1 / CR-1)
- Unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen (IR-2)
- Parent of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old (IR-5)
- Sponsor meets 125% HHS poverty line income requirement
How the process works
- US citizen files Form I-130
- Immediate visa number availability
- Concurrent I-485 filing (if in US) or prompt NVC consular processing
Documents you will typically need
- Proof of US citizenship, birth certificates showing parental relationship, marriage certificate, bona fide marital evidence
What to keep in mind
Spouses married less than 2 years at the time of admission receive a 2-year conditional Green Card (CR-1).
Official source: USCIS — Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen. Government authorities make all final decisions; no outcome is guaranteed.
Parallel Options & Supporting Tools for Immediate relatives of US citizens
Explore supporting intelligence briefings, interactive points assessment tools, institutional services, and parallel global migration pathways.
Supporting Tools & Verification Checklists
Institutional Legal Services & Representation
Comparable Pathways Across Other Destinations
Related Category Pathways
Family-based Green Card
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
Family preference categories
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
K-1 fiancé(e) visa
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
K-3 spouse visa — current utility review
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.

