Visa Bulletin
Do immediate relatives have to wait for the Visa Bulletin?
Updated · Not legal advice
No. Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens (when the citizen is 21 or older) are immediate relatives, and immediate relatives are not subject to the annual numerical limits, so there is no Visa Bulletin cutoff for them. Their wait is the processing time of the I-130 and the green card or visa steps.
| Relationship to the sponsor | Category | Visa Bulletin wait? |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse of U.S. citizen | Immediate relative | No |
| Unmarried child under 21 of U.S. citizen | Immediate relative | No |
| Parent of U.S. citizen aged 21+ | Immediate relative | No |
| Unmarried son/daughter 21+ of U.S. citizen | F1 | Yes |
| Spouse/child under 21 of green card holder | F2A | Yes |
| Married son/daughter of U.S. citizen | F3 | Yes |
| Brother/sister of U.S. citizen aged 21+ | F4 | Yes |
Where the time goes instead
- I-130 processing at USCIS (check the official processing times).
- If in the U.S.: the I-485 can often be filed together with the I-130.
- If abroad: NVC document collection, then the consular interview.
Quick answers
- How long does it take to get a green card for parents of a U.S. citizen?
- It depends on current I-130 processing times and, for parents abroad, NVC and consulate timing. See parents' green card processing time.
- If my green card holder spouse becomes a citizen, do I still wait?
- Generally your F2A case converts to immediate relative when the petitioner naturalizes, which removes the Visa Bulletin wait.
- Does a child who turns 21 lose immediate relative status?
- Possibly, but the Child Status Protection Act can protect some children. Ask an attorney.
What to do next
Track the I-130 case status and get an email when it changes.
Track my caseSources
Checked: November 12, 2026