IMMIGRANT VISAS

Visa Classes & Preference Categories

Table 1: Unlimited Family-based/Immediate Relatives of a U.S. citizen

Visa class	Intended For:
IR-1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen
IR-2	Child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
IR-3	Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen
IR-4	Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen
IR-5	Parent of U.S. citizen
CR-1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen (conditional status)
CR-2	Child of a U.S. citizen (conditional status)
IW-1	Certain spouses of deceased U.S. citizens
IW-2	Child of an IW-1

Table 2: Limited Family-based, subject to "Numerical Limitations"

Visa class	Preference category	Intended for:
F1	First (1st)	Unmarried Son or Daughter of a U.S. citizen
F2A	Second (2nd)	Spouse and/or Child under age of 21 of a Lawful Permanent Resident
F2B	Second (2nd)	Unmarried Son or Daughter age 21 and over of a Lawful Permanent Resident
F3	Third (3rd)	Married Son or Daughter of a U.S. citizen
F4	Fourth (4th)	Brother or Sister of a U.S. citizen

Note: In family immigration, preference is based on the status of the petitioner (U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) and his or her relationship to the applicant.

Table 3: Limited Employment-based, subject to "Numerical limitations"

Visa class	Preference category	Intended for:
E1	First (1st)	Priority Workers
E2	Second (2nd)	Professionals with advanced degrees or persons with exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business
E3	Third (3rd)	Professionals and skilled workers
E3 (EW)	Third (3rd)	Other Workers
E4	Fourth (4th)	Special Immigrants, for example, a Minister of Religion
E5 (C5)	Fifth (5th)	Investors who will create employment outside targeted areas
E5 (T5)	Fifth (5th)	Investors who will create employment in a targeted area

Note: In employment immigration, preference is based on the qualifications of the applicant and labor needs in the U.S.

Table 4: Returning Resident Aliens

Visa class	Intended for:
SB-1	Lawful Permanent Residents who want to return to the U.S. after staying abroad more than one year or beyond the expiration of their re-entry permits