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US citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a green card for their spouse, fiancé(e) (K-1 visa), children and (citizens over 21) parents. Immediate relatives of citizens have no annual queue. Turkish and Georgian nationals use this route; for Iranian passports even this route has been suspended since 1 January 2026.
Categories
| Category | Who | Queue |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate relatives (IR) | Spouse, unmarried child under 21, parents of a citizen over 21 | No annual queue |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of a US citizen; marriage within 90 days of entry | No queue |
| F2A | Spouse and children under 21 of a permanent resident | Queue |
| Other categories | Adult children and siblings of citizens | Long queue |
Affidavit of support
The sponsor must have income of at least 125% of the poverty line. In 2026, for a household of two in the 48 states, that is $27,050 a year (higher in Alaska and Hawaii). If short, a joint sponsor or countable assets can help.
Steps
- The citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130 (or I-129F for a fiancé(e))
- Once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center for documents and the affidavit of support
- Medical exam and interview at the embassy in your country of nationality or residence (Georgian nationals: Tbilisi; Turkish nationals: Ankara)
- Entry and the green card (for marriages under 2 years, a 2-year conditional green card)
Position by nationality
- Türkiye: open.
- Georgia: the 75-country immigrant visa pause (from January 2026) was vacated by a court in August 2026 and cases are being processed again; the government has appealed.
- Iran: since 1 January 2026 the immediate-relative exception has been removed and no visas are issued. Details
Frequently asked questions
Can the Iranian spouse of a US citizen get a visa?
Not on an Iranian passport since 1 January 2026, unless one of the narrow exceptions (such as a second nationality) applies.
What is the sponsor's minimum income in 2026?
125% of the poverty line; $27,050 a year for a household of two in the 48 states.
What is a K-1 visa?
A fiancé(e) visa to enter the US and marry a US citizen within 90 days, then apply for a green card from inside the US.
Position as of October 2026; litigation over the suspensions continues.
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