Permanent immigration to the United States comes with a variety of rights and privileges. One method to obtain lawful permanent residency is through a relative who is either a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. 

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 Based on the status of your sponsor, there are several visa preference categories for the allotment of immigrant family-based visas:

 

• Unlimited: Immediate relatives of US citizens do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number. Immediate relatives include the sponsor’s parents, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 years old.
   

• First Preference: Unmarried adult (over 21 years old) sons and daughters of US citizens.
   

• Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and their unmarried sons and daughters of any age.

• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.
   

• Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.
   

Listed below are the types of relatives a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident can sponsor based on relationship.
 

A US citizen can sponsor:
 

• His/her spouse
   

• An unmarried son/daughter of any age
   

• Married son/daughter of any age
   

• Parent/brother/sister, provided the sponsor is at least 21 years old or older
   

A lawful permanent resident can sponsor:
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• His/her spouse
   

• An unmarried son/daughter at any age