Visa Types - Immigrant Visas

Immediate Relative and Family Sponsored

There are two groups of family based immigrant visa categories:

Immediate relatives:  Based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen described as an immediate relative.  The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year, including:
IR1 – Spouse of a U.S. citizen
IR2 – Unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen
IR3 – Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen
IR4 – Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen
IR5 – Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

Family preference:  For specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a lawful permanent resident.  There are fiscal year numerical limitations on these visas.

F1 – Family first preference: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their minor children. Limit 23,400
F2 – Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over). Limit 114,200
F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children. Limit 23,400
F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age.  Limit 65,000

Employment Based

There are five preference categories for employment based visas.  Approximately 140,000 employment based visas are available each fiscal year.

E1 – Persons with extraordinary ability; outstanding professors and researchers; multinational managers or executives.

E2 – Professionals holding an advanced degree; persons with exceptional ability

E3 – Skilled workers; professionals with a baccalaureate or equivalent degree; unskilled (other) workers

E4 – Certain special immigrants (including many subgroups)

E5 – Immigrant investors who are making a capital investment in new commercial enterprises in the U.S. which provide job creation.  Investment qualifications apply.

Special Immigrants

SIV - For Iraqi and Afghan translators, interpreters, employees, and contractors working for the U.S. military or government who meet certain requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 and/or the Defense Authorization Act of 2008, and/or the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009.

SD – Ministers of religion

SR – Certain religious workers including a vocation or occupation in a professional or nonprofessional capacity.

Diversity Visas

Congressionally mandated for immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.  Immigrants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent; or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation which requires at least two years of training or experience. Up to 55,000 diversity visas are available annually.