Family immigration dictionary
These labels are names for different family immigration lines. The right line usually starts with two facts: the immigration status of the person filing the petition and that person's relationship to the relative who hopes to immigrate. This guide explains the labels without trying to decide anyone's eligibility.
Usually a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, also called a green card holder.
A spouse, child, adult son or daughter, parent, or sibling. Age and marital status can change the label.
Immediate Relative or a family-preference category such as F1, F2A, F2B, F3, or F4.
A category is a line label, not an approval. It helps identify which visa rules and queue may apply. It does not prove that the relationship qualifies, that a visa is available today, or that the person can complete the case inside the United States.
Certain close relatives of a U.S. citizen
This group generally includes a U.S. citizen's spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent when the U.S. citizen petitioner is at least 21. Immediate Relatives are not placed in the numbered family-preference lines below. That does not mean the case is instant or automatically approvable. The relationship, petition, immigration history, admissibility, documents, and correct processing route still matter.
Unmarried sons and daughters, age 21 or older, of U.S. citizens
Here, “unmarried” is important. “Son or daughter” is the term commonly used for a person who is 21 or older. Marriage, divorce, the petitioner's naturalization, or a change in age may affect classification. Do not assume the label from age alone; the family relationship and case history must still be documented and reviewed.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders
The petitioner is a lawful permanent resident, not a U.S. citizen, when this category is used. F2A covers a spouse or qualifying unmarried child under 21. Age calculations can involve more than simply looking at today's birthday, and a petitioner's later naturalization may change how the case is classified. Ask for review before relying on a label.
Unmarried sons and daughters, age 21 or older, of green card holders
The petitioner is a lawful permanent resident and the relative is 21 or older and unmarried. Marriage can have serious classification consequences because there is no family-preference category for a married son or daughter of a green card holder. A later naturalization, marriage, divorce, or age issue deserves individual review rather than a guess.
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. This line is for a married son or daughter, regardless of age. A spouse and certain children of the principal relative may sometimes be connected to the case as derivatives, but that question depends on the facts and legal definitions. The category alone does not answer who can immigrate with whom.
Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens who are at least 21
The U.S. citizen petitioner must generally be at least 21. Proving a sibling relationship can require different documents depending on whether the relatives share both parents, one parent, a step-parent, or an adoptive relationship. A spouse and certain children of the sibling may sometimes be derivatives, but the exact family history must be reviewed.
Family-preference categories have annual numerical limits. The Department of State's Visa Bulletin organizes the lines by category, country grouping, and priority date. It has separate charts for Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. The government announces which chart certain applicants may use; a category name by itself does not tell you whether a visa is available or whether you can file a particular application now.
See our visual Visa Bulletin guideA family category does not decide whether a petition is legally valid, whether the priority date is protected, whether the person may adjust status, whether consular processing is required, or whether a waiver could be needed. Entries, departures, prior filings, removal orders, criminal history, misrepresentation questions, and other facts can change the plan. Do not make travel or filing decisions from this dictionary alone.
This information is general and is not legal advice. It simplifies legal terms for learning and does not determine a person's category, eligibility, filing date, or likely outcome. Laws, charts, and agency procedures can change. Every case is different.
