How Many Family-Based Green Cards Are Issued Each Year?
The number of family-based green cards issued annually in the United States is influenced by statutory caps, processing efficiencies, and demand. Here’s an overview:
Family Preference Categories (Capped at 226,000 Annually)
Family preference categories are subject to an annual cap of 226,000 visas. These categories include:
- F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
- F2A: Spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents (LPRs)
- F2B: Unmarried adult children of LPRs
- F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
- F4: Siblings of adult U.S. citizens
Backlogs and Wait Times
Despite these issuance numbers, there is a significant backlog in family-based immigration. As of 2022, about 8.3 million relatives of U.S. citizens and legal residents were awaiting green cards, primarily due to outdated caps and processing delays.
Conclusion
While immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can obtain green cards without numerical limitations, other family-based categories are subject to annual caps, leading to extensive backlogs and prolonged wait times. The U.S. immigration system continues to face challenges in addressing these issues, with ongoing discussions about potential reforms to alleviate the backlog and improve processing efficiency.
