Immediate relative

Glossary

U.S. immigration agencies refer to an immediate relative when talking about a close family member (spouse, parent, son or daughter who is both single and 20 years and younger) of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives are not subjected to annual numerical limits, are more quickly eligible when they file from within the United States, and are more easily “forgiven” for past transgressions such as overstaying in the United States.