Geen card immigration

Under U.S. immigration law, only certain family members may petition for you as a “family-based” green card beneficiary. An uncle does not qualify to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).

However, your U.S. citizen uncle can help in another way:

Joint Sponsor for Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

If you are otherwise eligible for a green card (for example, a parent or spouse files the I-130), your uncle—provided he is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, domiciled in the U.S., and meets the income requirements—can serve as a joint sponsor on the Affidavit of Support. This helps you meet the financial threshold, but does not replace the need for an eligible relative to file the underlying I-130.

Other Pathways

If you have no qualifying relative, you must look to other categories:

Employment-based visas (e.g., EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), which require a U.S. employer to petition for you.

Diversity Visa Lottery, if you qualify.

Asylum or other humanitarian programs, if applicable.

Next Steps

Identify the qualifying petitioner (e.g., parent, spouse, sibling).

If that petitioner’s income is insufficient, ask your uncle to join as a joint sponsor on the I-864.

Consider consulting a U.S. immigration attorney to map out the best category for your circumstances.

In short: No, your uncle alone cannot directly petition you for a green card—but yes, he can bolster your application financially as a joint sponsor once you have an approved petition from an eligible relative.