To bring your relative spouse, child or parent to the United States, you must file an I-130 relative visa petition with the appropriate organization. .
There are two basic categories of relative visas:
Immediate category:
Visas are immediately available (subject to processing times) for immediate relatives of United States citizens. These include:
- spouse of a United States citizen,
- child (under 21 years old) of a United States citizen, and
- parent of a United States citizen, if the citizen is at least 21 years old.
Preference categories:
- First Preference
- Unmarried sons or daughters of United States citizens over age 21. - Second Preference
- Spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. - Third Preference
- Married sons and daughters of United States citizens. - Fourth Preference
- Brothers and sisters of United States citizens.
Preference category visas are issued on a quota basis. That means it could take five to ten years for the visa quota number to become available.