U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can petition for family members to obtain green card visas, allowing them to live and work in the United States. This process is a key part of family reunification in U.S. immigration policy. Immediate relatives—spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens—are prioritized and can receive visas without waiting for a visa number. Other family members fall into preference categories, each with varying wait times based on their relationship to the petitioner, etc.