Immediate Relative
An immediate relative is a close family member of a US citizen who can get a green card without waiting for a visa number: the citizen's spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents (if the citizen is at least 21).
Why it matters
Immediate relatives are not subject to annual caps or the visa bulletin, so the only wait is processing time. Other relatives, such as married children or siblings, fall into family preference categories (F1 to F4) with waits that can be many years.
Immediate relatives also get some special treatment. For example, if they entered the US legally, a past overstay alone often does not block adjustment of status. They cannot bring derivative beneficiaries, so each family member needs a separate I-130.
See spouse of a US citizen, child of a US citizen, and parent of a US citizen.
Frequently asked questions
Are siblings immediate relatives?
No. Siblings of US citizens are in the F4 preference category.
Can a green card holder's spouse be an immediate relative?
No. Spouses of permanent residents are in the F2A preference category.
Is a stepchild an immediate relative?
Yes, if the marriage creating the relationship happened before the child turned 18.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.