This guide provides a thorough description of the process of obtaining a Green Card (officially called a Permanent Resident Card) for a relative of a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. Easy to read, our guide will help you to understand all the requirements and procedures that are necessary to apply for a family-based Green Card. U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents can only help certain close family members of their's to obtain Green Cards.

A U.S. citizen (by birth or through naturalization) can start the Green Card process for his or her:

Husband or wife (see our Step-by-Step Guide called "Green Card through Marriage" for more details)
Parent or stepparent, if a U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older
Children of any age (if children of a U.S. citizen are married, their spouses and children are eligible for a green card, too)
Adopted children under 18 years of age
Stepchildren, if the marriage between the child’s parent and a U.S. citizen took place before the child’s 18th birthday
Brother or sister, if a U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older

A U.S. lawful permanent resident can start the immigration process for his or her:

Husband or wife (see our Step-by-Step Guide called "Green Card through Marriage" for more details)
Unmarried children of any age
Stepchildren, if the marriage between the child’s parent and a U.S. lawful permanent resident took place before the child’s 18th birthday

This guide includes all the steps of obtaining a family-based green card for a relative of a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident as well as materials and forms for each of the steps. To find out how a close relative of a U.S. citizen who has violated the U.S. immigration law (entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed his or her U.S. visa, was previousely deported, etc.) can obtain a family-based Green Card, download the U.S. Immigration Services ste-by-step guide called “Green Card through a U.S. Family Member for a Relative with U.S. Immigration Violations.”