Family members are categorized as preferences, with closer relations making for higher preferences. The length of time required to obtain a family sponsored visa is heavily dependent upon your preference ranking.

Immediate Relatives

• Spouses of citizens
• Unmarried children of citizens under 21 years of age
• Parents of citizens (if the sponsoring citizen is a child who is at least 21 years of age)
• Visas for immediate relatives are immediately available

First Preferences

• Unmarried sons and daughters of citizens who are over 21 years of age
• Wait time for a first preference is currently 3 years for most countries

Second Preferences

• Spouses of permanent residents and unmarried children who are under 21 years of age
• Unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years of age and older, of permanent residents
• Wait time for a second preference is currently around 6 years for spouses and childen under 21, approximately 9 years for others

Third Preferences

• Married sons and daughters of citizens
• Wait time for a third preference is currently around 6 years

Fourth Preferences

• Brothers and sisters of citizens
• Wait time for a fourth preferences is currently around 12 years

Wait times for certain countries may be significantly longer, notably India, Mexico, and the Philippines