Each year there is a limited number of green cards available to applicants who are classified as other relatives of either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. This means that often people applying under this category may wait months or years to receive their green cards.

Other relatives are placed into preference categories. These categories determine the order in which applicants will receive their green cards; in other words, your preference category determines where you are on the green card waiting list.

Family first preference includes the unmarried children of a U.S. citizen regardless of their age. Family second preference is split into two groups, but both have to be related to lawful permanent residents. The first group, known as 2A, are spouses and unmarried children, under 21 years old, of lawful permanent residents. The second group (2B) are unmarried children of lawful permanent residents over 21 years old. Family third preference are married children of a U.S. citizen, regardless of their age. The last category is family fourth preference; this includes siblings of U.S. citizens who are over 21 years of age.