The law allows certain relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents to immigrate to the United States.  The process of bringing your family to live with you in the United States involves two steps:  a visa petition and an application for permanent residency.  The US citizen or lawful permanent resident who makes a request for a family member to join them is a “petitioner.”  The family members who will immigrate are known as “beneficiaries.”  The number of family-based immigrant visas available is determined by the US government.  For some immigrants known as “immediate relatives,” there is no limit on the number of immigrant visas given.  Therefore an immigrant visa is available for an immediate relative upon approval of their family petition.  Immediate relatives include only spouses, parents, and unmarried minor children of US citizens.  For other relatives of US citizens and permanent residents, immigrant visa quotas apply.  This can mean that some family members must wait long periods of time.  The law sets forth a preference category system based on the immigrant’s relationship to the petitioner.  The following chart names all classes of relatives who may immigrate to the US based on family relationships: