Family-Based Green Card
United States
Last updated: December 29, 2025
10 years (renewable)
$1,760
10-18 months (spouse/child); 13-15 months (parent); 2-25+ years (other relatives)
Medium
About this Visa
A family-based green card lets you live and work permanently in the U.S. if a family member already lives there. Your spouse, parent, child, or sibling who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can sponsor you. This is how most people get green cards—about 65% use this path. Two types exist: Immediate Relatives (IR) such as spouses, young children, and parents with fastest processing of 10-18 months. Family Preference (F) categories include older children and siblings with slower processing of 2-25+ years depending on country. Unlike work visas, you are not tied to one job. You can work anywhere, start businesses, and bring other family members later. Once approved, the green card lasts 10 years and is renewable.
Key Benefits
- Work without restrictions and change jobs anytime
- Start a business and own property
- Travel freely to 38+ countries without visa
- Bring spouse and children to U.S. later
- Access in-state college tuition and student loans
- Qualify for healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security at retirement
- Protection from deportation for minor crimes
- Path to U.S. citizenship after 3-5 years
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must have qualifying family member (spouse, parent, child, or sibling) who is U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have valid passport
- No serious criminal record
- No active untreated tuberculosis or syphilis (HIV is acceptable)
- No prior deportation from U.S. (waivers available)
- No outstanding warrants in home country
- Sponsor must earn at least 125% of federal poverty level
- Sponsor must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Sponsor must live in United States
Financial Requirement
Sponsor must earn at least 125% of federal poverty level (approximately $20,000 per year for single person); if insufficient, joint sponsor may be added
Documents
- Birth Certificate or Marriage CertificateProof of family relationship; marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for parent/child
- Divorce PapersIf previously married; required to show prior marriage dissolved
- Adoption PapersIf adopted; required for adoption-based petitions
- Valid PassportCurrent passport from home country
- Passport-Style Photos2x2 inch photos taken within 6 months
- Medical Exam ResultsCompleted by U.S. government-approved doctor
- Vaccination RecordsProof of required immunizations
- Police CertificateClearance from home country and all countries where lived 6+ months
- Sponsor Tax ReturnsLast 3 years of federal tax returns
- Sponsor Pay StubsRecent pay stubs covering last 6 months
- Bank StatementsProof of savings if income insufficient
- Sponsor Employment LetterFrom employer on official letterhead
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.