Types of US Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visa eligibility basics

To be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or a prospective employer, with a few exceptions. The sponsor begins the immigration process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen beneficiary’s behalf with USCIS. There are several categories of immigrant visas, including family-based, employment-based, special immigrant visas that cover special types of workers or special circumstances, the yearly Diversity Visa program, and others.

These are the most common immigrant visas. Need help deciding which visa is best for you? Connect with us for free help.

Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored

Visa Category

Spouse of a U.S. Citizen

IR1, CR1

Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition

K-3

Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.

K-1

Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens

IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4

Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens

IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4

Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents

F2A, F2B

Employer Sponsored – Employment

Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):

Priority workers
Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
Professionals and Other Workers
Employment Creation/Investors
Certain Special Immigrants

E1, E2, E3, EW3, C5, T5, R5, I5, S

Religious Workers

SD, SR

Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters

Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government

Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government

Other Immigrants

Diversity Immigrant Visa

Returning Resident

This is the complete list of immigrant visa types. Are you sure you are applying for the easiest visa to get?

SYMBOL	CLASS	SECTION OF LAW
Immediate Relatives
IR1	Spouse of U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b).
IR2	Child of U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b).
IR3	Orphan Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b) & INA 101(b)(1)(F).
IH3	Child from Hague Convention Country Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b) & INA 101(b)(1)(G).
IR4	Orphan to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b) & INA 101(b)(1)(F).
IH4	Child from Hague Convention Country to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen	INA 201(b) & INA 101(b)(1)(G).
IR5	Parent of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age	INA 201(b).
CR1	Spouse of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status)	INA 201(b) & 216.
CR2	Stepchild of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status)	INA 201(b) & 216.
IW1	Certain Spouses of Deceased U.S. Citizens	INA 201(b).
IW2	Child of IW1	INA 201(b).
IB1	Self-petition Spouse of U.S. Citizen	INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iii).
IB2	Self-petition child of U.S. Citizen	INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv).
IB3	Child of IB1	INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iii).
Vietnam Amerasian Immigrants
AM1	Vietnam Amerasian Principal	Section 584(b)(1)(A) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-202) as amended.
AM2	Spouse or Child of AM1	Section 584(b)(1)(A) and 584(b)(1)(B) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-202) as amended.
AM3	Natural Mother of AM1 (and Spouse or Child of Such Mother) or Person Who has Acted in Effect as the Mother, Father, or Next-of-Kin of AM1 (and Spouse or Child of Such Person)	Section 584(b)(1)(A) and 584(b)(1)(C) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-202) as amended.
Special Immigrants
SB1	Returning Resident	INA 101(a)(27)(A).
SC1	Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Marriage	INA 101(a)(27)(B) & 324(a).
SC2	Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Serving in Foreign Armed Forces	INA 101(a)(27)(B) & 327.
SI1	Certain Aliens Employed by the U.S. Government in Iraq or Afghanistan as Translators or Interpreters	Section 1059 of Public Law 109-163 as amended by Public Law 110-36.
SI2	Spouse of SI1	Section 1059 of Public Law 109-163 as amended by Public Law 110-36.
SI3	Child of SI1	Section 1059 of Public Law 109–163 as amended by Public Law 110–36.
SM1	Alien Recruited Outside the United States Who Has Served or is Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces for 12 Years	INA 101(a)(27)(K).
SM2	Spouse of SM1	INA 101(a)(27)(K).
SM3	Child of SM1	INA 101(a)(27)(K).
SQ1	Certain Iraqis or Afghans Employed by or on Behalf of the U.S. Government	Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111–8 and Section 1244 of Public Law 110–181.
SQ2	Spouse of SQ1	Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111–8 and Section 1244 of Public Law 110–181.
SQ3	Child of SQ1	Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111–8 and Section 1244 of Public Law 110–181.
SU2	Spouse of U1	INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii).
SU3	Child of U1	INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii).
SU5	Parent of U1	INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii).
Family-Sponsored Preferences
Family 1st Preference
F11	Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen	INA 203(a)(1).
F12	Child of F11	INA 203(d) & 203(a)(1).
B11	Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen	INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & INA 203(a)(1).
B12	Child of B11	INA 203(d), INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & INA 203(a)(1).
Family 2nd Preference (Subject to Country Limitations)
F21	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 203(a)(2)(A).
F22	Child of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 203(a)(2)(A).
F23	Child of F21 or F22	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(2)(A).
F24	Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 203(a)(2)(B).
F25	Child of F24	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(2)(B).
C21	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional)	INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 216.
C22	Stepchild of Alien Resident (Conditional)	INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 216.
C23	Child of C21 or C22 (Conditional)	INA 203(d), INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 216.
C24	Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional)	INA 203(a)(2)(B) & INA 216.
C25	Child of F24 (Conditional)	INA 203(d), INA 203(a)(2)(B) & INA 216.
B21	Self-petition Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(ii).
B22	Self-petition Child of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
B23	Child of B21 or B22	INA 203(d) & INA 204(a)(1)(B)(ii).
B24	Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
B25	Child of B24	INA 203(d) & INA 204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
Family 2nd Preference (Exempt from Country Limitations)
FX1	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 202(a)(4)(A) & INA 203(a)(2)(A).
FX2	Child of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 202(a)(4)(A) & INA 203(a)(2)(A).
FX3	Child of FX1 or FX2	INA 202(a)(4)(A), INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 203(d).
CX1	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional)	INA 202(a)(4)(A), INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 216.
CX2	Stepchild of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional)	INA 202(a)(4)(A), INA 203(a)(2)(A) & INA 216.
CX3	Child of CX1 or CX2 (Conditional)	INA 202(a)(4)(A), INA 203(a)(2)(A), INA 203(d) & INA 216.
BX1	Self-petition Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(ii).
BX2	Self-petition Child of Lawful Permanent Resident	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
BX3	Child of BX1 or BX2	INA 204(a)(1)(B)(ii) & 203(d).
Family 3rd Preference
F31	Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen	INA 203(a)(3).
F32	Spouse of F31	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(3).
F33	Child of F31	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(3).
C31	Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen (Conditional)	INA 203(a)(3) & INA 216.
C32	Spouse of C31 (Conditional)	INA 203(d), INA 203(a)(3) & INA 216.
C33	Child of C31 (Conditional)	INA 203(d), INA 203(a)(3) & INA 216.
B31	Self-petition Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen	INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & INA 203(a)(3).
B32	Spouse of B31	INA 203(d), INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & INA 203(a)(3).
B33	Child of B31	INA 203(d), INA 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & INA 203(a)(3).
Family 4th Preference
F41	Brother or Sister of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age	INA 203(a)(4).
F42	Spouse of F41	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(4).
F43	Child of F41	INA 203(d) & INA 203(a)(4).
Employment-Based Preferences
Employment 1st Preference (Priority Workers)
E11	Alien with Extraordinary Ability	INA 203(b)(1)(A).
E12	Outstanding Professor or Researcher	INA 203(b)(1)(B).
E13	Multinational Executive or Manager	INA 203(b)(1)(C).
E14	Spouse of E11, E12, or E13	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(1)(A), INA 203(b)(1)(B) & INA 203(b)(1)(C).
E15	Child of E11, E12, or E13	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(1)(A), INA 203(b)(1)(B) & INA 203(b)(1)(C).
Employment 2nd Preference (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability)
E21	Professional Holding Advanced Degree or Alien of Exceptional Ability	INA 203(b)(2).
E22	Spouse of E21	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(2).
E23	Child of E21	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(2).
Employment 3rd Preference (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)
E31	Skilled Worker	INA 203(b)(3)(A)(i).
E32	Professional Holding Baccalaureate Degree	INA 203(b)(3)(A)(ii).
E34	Spouse of E31 or E32	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(3)(A)(i), INA 203(b)(3)(A)(ii).
E35	Child of E31 or E32	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(3)(A)(i) & INA 203(b)(3)(A)(ii).
EW3	Other Worker (Subgroup Numerical Limit)	INA 203(b)(3)(A)(iii).
EW4	Spouse of EW3	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(3)(A)(iii).
EW5	Child of EW3	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(3)(A)(iii).
Employment 4th Preference (Certain Special Immigrants)
BC1	Broadcaster in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization	INA 101(a)(27)(M) & INA 203(b)(4).
BC2	Accompanying spouse of BC1	INA 101(a)(27)(M) & INA 203(b)(4).
BC3	Accompanying child of BC1	INA 101(a)(27)(M) & INA 203(b)(4).
SD1	Minister of Religion	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & INA 203(b)(4).
SD2	Spouse of SD1	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & INA 203(b)(4).
SD3	Child of SD1	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & INA 203(b)(4).
SE1	Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad	INA 101(a)(27)(D) & INA 203(b)(4).
SE2	Spouse of SE1	INA 101(a)(27)(D) & INA 203(b)(4).
SE3	Child of SE1	INA 101(a)(27)(D) & INA 203(b)(4).
SF1	Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government	INA 101(a)(27)(E) & INA 203(b)(4).
SF2	Spouse or Child of SF1	INA 101(a)(27)(E) & INA 203(b)(4).
SG1	Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone	INA 101(a)(27)(F) & INA 203(b)(4).
SG2	Spouse or Child of SG1	INA 101(a)(27)(F) & INA 203(b)(4).
SH1	Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979	INA 101(a)(27)(G) & INA 203(b)(4).
SH2	Spouse or Child of SH1	INA 101(a)(27)(G) & INA 203(b)(4).
SJ1	Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only)	INA 101(a)(27)(H).
SJ2	Accompanying Spouse or Child of SJ1	INA 101(a)(27)(H) & INA 203(b)(4).
SK1	Certain Retired International Organization employees	INA 101(a)(27)(I)(iii) & INA 203(b)(4).
SK2	Spouse of SK1	INA 101(a)(27)(I)(iv) & INA 203(b)(4).
SK3	Certain Unmarried Sons or Daughters of an International Organization Employee	INA 101(a)(27)(I)(i) & INA 203(b)(4).
SK4	Certain Surviving Spouses of a deceased International Organization Employee	INA 101(a)(27)(I)(ii) & INA 203(b)(4).
SL1	Juvenile Court Dependent (Adjustment Only)	INA 101(a)(27)(J) & INA 203(b)(4).
SN1	Certain retired NATO6 civilians	INA 101(a)(27)(L) & INA 203(b)(4).
SN2	Spouse of SN1	INA 101(a)(27)(L) & INA 203(b)(4).
SN3	Certain unmarried sons or daughters of NATO6 civilian employees	INA 101(a)(27)(L) & INA 203(b)(4).
SN4	Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO6 civilian employees	INA 101(a)(27)(L) & INA 203(b)(4).
SP	Alien Beneficiary of a petition or labor certification application filed prior to September 11, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act of September 11, 2001. Spouse, child of such alien, or the grandparent of a child orphaned by a terrorist act of September 11, 2001	Section 421 of Public Law 107-56.
SR1	Certain Religious Workers	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended & INA 203(b)(4).
SR2	Spouse of SR1	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended & INA 203(b)(4).
SR3	Child of SR1	INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended & INA 203(b)(4).
Employment 5th Preference (Employment Creation Conditional Status)
C51	Employment Creation OUTSIDE Targeted Areas	INA 203(b)(5)(A).
C52	Spouse of C51	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(5)(A).
C53	Child of C51	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(5)(A).
T51	Employment Creation IN Targeted Rural/High Unemployment Area	INA 203(b)(5)(B).
T52	Spouse of T51	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(5)(B).
T53	Child of T51	INA 203(d) & INA 203(b)(5)(B).
R51	Investor Pilot Program, Not in Targeted Area	INA 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
R52	Spouse of R51	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
R53	Child of R51	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
I51	Investor Pilot Program, in Targeted Area	INA 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
I52	Spouse of I51	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(5) & Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
I53	Child of I51	INA 203(d), INA 203(b)(5) & Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–395), as amended.
Other Numerically Limited Categories
Diversity Immigrants
DV1	Diversity Immigrant	INA 203(c).
DV2	Spouse of DV1	INA 203(d) & INA 203(c).
DV3	Child of DV1	INA 203(d) & INA 203(c).

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Immigrant visa eligibility basics

These are the most common immigrant visas. Need help deciding which visa is best for you? Connect with us for free help.

This is the complete list of immigrant visa types. Are you sure you are applying for the easiest visa to get?

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