Legal Definitions - immediate relative

Immediate relatives are the closest family members, such as parents, spouses, and children. They can also include siblings and grandparents, depending on the law or regulation. These relationships are created through blood, adoption, or marriage.

• In immigration law, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens applying for family-based immigrant visas include spouses, children, parents, and siblings. For permanent residents, immediate relatives are limited to spouses and unmarried children.
• Under FINRA regulations, restricted individuals' immediate families are their parents or subsidiaries of them or their parents. These family members may be restricted from certain financial transactions, such as stock transactions.

These examples illustrate how the scope of immediate relatives can vary depending on the law or regulation. The definition of immediate relatives can affect their rights and responsibilities, as well as the processing of certain applications or transactions.