An immigrant who is exempt from the numerical limitations imposed on immigration to the United States due to his/her close relationship to a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives, if they meet certain legal requirements, include spouses of citizens, children and stepchildren of citizens who are under 21 years of age and unmarried, and parents of adult citizens. Under certain circumstances, an alien continues to be exempt from the limitations even if the family relationship ends, such as due to death or domestic violence.

Spouses, parents, and children of U.S. Citizens

Spouse, widow(er) and unmarried children under the age of 21 of an American citizen. A parent is an immediate relative if the American citizen is 21 years of age or older. There are no numerical limits to immigration of immediate relatives.

refers to spouses of U.S. citizens, children under 21 with at least one U.S. parent, or parents of children over 21 who are U.S. citizens. If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to receive a green card immediately.

Spouse, parent, or child (under the age of 21) of an American citizen. However, adopted children must have been adopted before the age of 16 and stepchildren before the age of 18.