People who want to become immigrants are classified by category based on a preference system. Your category is determined by the type of relationship you have with your U.S. sponsor.
Immediate relatives do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number to become available once the visa petition filed for them is approved by USCIS. This category is unlimited, meaning there is no restriction placed on the number of people that may immigrate under this category. Other relatives may obtain an immigrant visa number according to a preference system determined by USCIS. This is a limited category, and only a certain number of visa numbers will be assigned each year in this category.
Unlimited Family-Sponsored
- Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): The spouse, widow(er) and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older.
- Returning Residents (SB): Immigrants who lived in the United States previously as lawful permanent residents and are returning to live in the U.S. after a temporary visit of more than one year abroad.
Limited Family-Sponsored
- Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their children, if any.
- Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (over age 20) of lawful permanent residents. At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to the spouses and children; the remainder will be allocated to unmarried sons and daughters.
- Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children.
- Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of United States citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age.
Source: USCIS
