Immigrant Visa Categories
An Immigrant Visa Category describes the relationship between the petitioner and the applicant seeking to immigrate to the United States.
In order to qualify for immigration to the U.S. an applicant must be petitioned by a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. Depending on whether the petitioner is a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, that person must have a qualifying familial or employment relationship with the applicant. Former Legal Permanent Residents who lost their residency for reasons beyond their control may also qualify for immigration.
Some Immigrant Visa Categories do not qualify for an Immigrant Visa until their "Priority Date" has become current. Find out more about Priority Dates as well as what the current priority dates are.
Below are listed the most common Immigrant Visa Categories. To find out additional Immigrant Visa Categories visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
If Petitioner is a U.S. Citizen:
Visa Category Description
IR1 Applicant is spouse of a U.S. citizen.
IR2 Applicant is minor child of a U.S. citizen.
CR1 Applicant is spouse of a U.S. citizen for less
than two years.
CR2 Applicant is minor child of a U.S. citizen for
less than two years.
IR3 Applicant is orphan adopted abroad by a U.S.
citizen.
IR4 Applicant is orphan to be adopted in the United
States by a U.S. citizen.
IR5 Applicant is parent of a U.S. citizen.
IW Applicant is widow of a U.S. citizen who died
less than two years ago and to whom the
applicant was married at least two years.
K1 Applicant is fiancee of a U.S. citizen who will
travel to get married in the U.S.
K3 Applicant is spouse of a U.S. citizen who has
an immigrant visa petition filed but not yet
approved.
F1* Applicant is unmarried son or daughter of a U.S.
citizen (21 years or older, single, widowed or
divorced).*
F3* Applicant is married son or daughter of a U.S.
citizen.*
F4* Applicant is brother or sister of a U.S.
citizen.*
* Subject to "Priority Date".
If Petitioner is a Legal Permanent Resident:
Visa Category Description
F2A* Applicant is spouse and/or
minor child of a Legal Per-
manent Resident*
FAB* Applicant is unmarried son or
daughter of a Legal Permanent
Resident (21 years or older, single,
widowed or divorced).*
* Subject to "Priority Date".
If Petitioner is an Employer:
Visa Category Description
E1 Priority Workers.
E2 Professionals with Advanced Degrees.
E3* Skilled Workers and Professionals.
E3W* Other Workers
E4 Special Immigrants.
* Subject to "Priority Date".
Special Categories:
Visa Category Description
SB1 Applicant is former Legal Permanent
Resident who lost his/her residency
for reasons beyond their control.