If you are a permanent resident (Green Card holder), your spouse, child (unmarried and under 21), or the child of your spouse (your step-child) may be eligible for a V visa if:

• You filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for your family member on or before December 21, 2000. This includes children (unmarried and under 21) listed on the petition.  
• The family member has been waiting at least 3 years since you filed the Form I-130.
• The immigrant visa is not available on an approved Form I-130 petition OR the application to adjust status is pending OR the petition for an immigrant visa is pending.

If your family member is inside the United States, you file: 

• Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Supplement A (PDF, 394.69 KB) and 
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.

If your family member is outside the United States: 

• He or she must go through consular processing. For more information, see the Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident page. For more information on consular processing overseas, see the Consular Processing page.

More Information

• "How Do I" Guides for Permanent Residents

Forms

• I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• I-864, Affidavit of Support
• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Other USCIS Links

• Green Card (Permanent Residence)
• Green Card for a Family Member of a U.S. Citizen
• Visa Availability & Priority Dates
• Adjustment of Status
• Consular Processing
• Check Processing Times
• Military
• In-Country Refugee/Parole Processing for Central American Minors

External Links

• Visa Bulletin