There are some cases where a foreign national may qualify to become a lawful permanent resident based on sponsorship by a U.S. employer. However, that type of lawful permanent residency is beyond the scope of this article and the types of immigration information that can be conveyed through an online forum. Thus, this article will only deal with lawful permanent residency based on family relationships.

Generally speaking, only close relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents qualify for lawful permanent residency status. Furthermore, the closer the familial relationship the more likely it is that a family member will be able to obtain a greencard quickly.

For example, spouses, children (unmarried and under age 21), and parents of U.S. Citizens are considered "immediate relatives" under U.S. immigration law and people in this category receive the most favored treatment. There is no annual cap on the number of visas that can be issued to immediate relatives. As a result, visa are available at all times for immediate relatives and the appropriate family member simply needs to file the correct petition.

Other family members may also qualify but there may be a substantial wait. You can see the a list of current wait times on the Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State.